USHPA Awards

Honoring the 2022 Recipients

by Liz Dengler

: Every year, USHPA honors exemplary pilots and community members with the USHPA awards. The themed awards and commendations show our appreciation for the individuals who have significantly contributed to the free flight community. This year, USHPA is proud to recognize seven individuals for their outstanding achievements.

Presidential Citation Paul Voight

From former President Steve Pearson: The USHPA Presidential Citation is our oldest and most prestigious award, presented annually at the discretion of the president to someone who has made extraordinary contributions to our community. For 50 years, we’ve recognized the pioneers of our sport, those who advanced technology, and others who led us through transformation and crisis. As I considered past recipients, I reflected on the innumerable contributions of those who volunteer on behalf of our association. We depend on directors, committee chairs, committee members, local chapter officials, administrators, mentors, observers, flight schools, instructors, event organizers, meet officials, industry professionals, and so many others, including the USHPA staff, to sustain and improve our association.

As I scanned the long list of distinguished recipients and new candidates, I realized that one person, more than anyone I’ve known, has made long-standing and substantive contributions in all these volunteer areas. Paul Voight has been a director, committee member, and chair and has not missed an USHPA meeting for 35 years. He has held hundreds of in-person meetings and thousands of calls and online discussions, all of which are just the tip of the iceberg of Paul’s contributions to our community.

As an administrator, he will volunteer to host a clinic for a small group that no one else has time for. As a local official, he’s been continually engaged in securing and developing the Ellenville, New York chapter for 45 years. As an instructor, he represents the highest standards of professionalism and commitment to developing pilots. At every event I’ve attended, he’s contributed before you could think of asking for help.

Over the years, Paul has repeatedly proposed awards for others. Now, it’s my great honor and pleasure to award him the 2022 USHPA Presidential Citation.

Bettina Gray Award Seth Warren

This year, USHPA is proud to award the Bettina

Gray Award to Seth Warren, whose visually stunning photography offers a positive outlook on free flight. The Missoula-based pilot and photographer is an expert at capturing the joy of flying. As one nominator summed it up, “Seth always portrays pilots in a way that is beautiful, original, and positive for the sport. People who look at Seth’s photos are inspired and want to share the beauty and happiness at the heart of free flight. Seth always finds a way to help us remember the bliss of flight, the laughter, and all the amazing views in between.”

HG Instructor of the Year Billy Vaughn

For anyone who has worked with him, it will be no surprise that Billy Vaughn has again taken this top honor in hang gliding. His commitment to the sport and his students is unwavering. As one nominator put it, “Billy Vaughn has loved hang gliding and the entire atmosphere around the sport for many years. He has always been a very friendly and knowledgeable hang gliding instructor.” Another commented, “He teaches by example and explodes with enthusiasm and positivity when working with students. On top of that, he has helped future pilots at the Virginia Tech Hang Gliding Club by helping them hone their skills and hosting the college’s club members at his residence for weekend training.” Charismatic, engaged, and professional, Billy’s enthusiasm sends ripples into the free flight world—both in the present and looking to the future. As another nominator noted, “He is a co-founder of Appalachian Air Sports with other enthusiastic young pilots, and is on the leading edge of an effort to stimulate a Hang Gliding Renaissance.”

Rob Kells Memorial Award Chris Santacroce

One of USHPA’s most prestigious awards, the Rob Kells Memorial Award can only be awarded to an individual or group once. This year, the award is bequeathed to Chris Santacroce. Chris’s contributions to free flight are countless, and his generosity drips through the community. It’s rare to meet a pilot who doesn’t know and respect his name. According to one of his nominators, “Chris has embodied the characteristics of the Rob Kells Memorial Award with his dedication over many years to teaching people to fly and his service on the USHPA board.” Without question, he has been a huge asset to the flying community. “Chris has worked tirelessly over his paragliding career to support the goals and objectives of USHPA,” said another nominator. “He contributes to pilot education with his time, energy, and ideas through his well-run school and participation in various USHPA committees and workgroups.” With a willingness to contribute to the community far beyond what is expected of any individual, Chris has worked, as another nominator noted, to make the sport of paragliding safer and to develop safe and professional instructors and schools in paragliding.

“He is a great role model for all in the industry and has improved standards and training serving on the USHPA and PASA boards.”

Commendation Stacy Whitmore

Stacy Whitmore has been hosting and managing the ever-successful Red Rocks Fly-In in Monroe, Utah, for many years. Stacy’s original vision of a single autumn fly-in hosted in Central Utah has blossomed to include several flying events throughout the flying season. As one nominator mentioned, “Stacy has been running the Red Rocks Fly-In for several years now. The event is so successful that it is routinely over-subscribed, and this is thanks to Stacy’s vision. Fly-ins foster community, which is crucial for retaining membership. Stacey’s events help support the success of hang gliding and paragliding and the continuity of the sports.” When asked to submit a photo for this article, Stacy responded quickly with a group shot (Judy Whitmore, Stacy Whitmore, Jef Anderson, and Stefanie Anderson) and made clear he ascribes much of the success of the event to their support. “These people have been essential to the growth of the sport. Their support has enabled me to accomplish the things that have brought me this recognition,” he said. “Judy has been the retrieve coordinator of the Red Rocks and mother bear for the pilots in this area. Jef (co-founder of CUASA) has been the vice president of CUASA for 17 years and continues as treasurer, trusted advisor, and the man who makes my ideas a reality. Stephanie has served in various roles, including CUASA secretary, safety coordinator, and form finder.” USHPA is happy to recognize Stacy’s part of this group effort with this commendation.

Commendation Karl Allmendinger

Karl Allmendinger has been a pillar in the free flight community for decades. As one nominator pointed out, “He’s held various offices within the Wings of Rogallo Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club in Northern California, has volunteered his time to work to improve the launch and landing areas at Ed Levin County Park and Mission Peak Regional Preserve. He has been both an instructor and attentive mentor and organized flying trips for new pilots.” Few pilots have volunteered so much of their time to support local sites and pilots, and USHPA is happy to honor Karl’s work with this commendation.

Commendation Jessica Koerner

Jessica Koerner is awarded a commendation for her tireless efforts in the hang gliding community in the San Francisco region. Not only is she the president of the Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston Hang Gliding Club, but she has also volunteered countless hours building the club’s new website which, according to one nominator, simplified membership renewal for new and returning pilots and improved usability. They also noted, “Jessica is a natural leader who can run a club meeting with great efficiency. But, what she really brings to the table, is a sense of community. She instills the sensibility that we all share the bond of free flight—the purest form of aviation.”