Visiting instructors info at Woodrat

[Kevin Lee]

A Friendly Reminder to our Visiting Instructors and Potential Clinic Hosts at Woodrat Mountain.


Preserving Woodrat Mountain & The Hunter LZ Together.

Woodrat Mountain is an incredible place to fly, and historically, the local community loves sharing the sky with our free-flight community. However, keeping this site open depends entirely on the incredible generosity of our private landowners and strict compliance with their requests relative to instruction, as well as our site insurance.

As liaison between the Hunter family and the flying community, it's my job to protect those relationships so we can all keep flying here for years to come.

With the summer flying season here and some scheduled events coming up, we've noticed a few lines potentially getting crossed (visiting instructors, groups, etc.). I want to be entirely clear and firm about our local rules so there are no surprises or awkward conversations on launch. Please take a moment to review these mandatory policies around instruction at WR:


- Our Instructor Cap is firm: Our primary LZ landowner, Tim Hunter/Hunter Family has explicitly requested that only approved instructors operate here (Kevin Lee, Sam Crocker, Brian Kerr, and James Tibbs). Because of this, the Woodrat Mountain Instructor Committee (WMIC) is not accepting applications for new local or commercial instructors.

- Hosting a Clinic? Apply 30 Days Out: If you are a visiting instructor wanting to host a specific clinic or event, you must submit a formal request to the WMIC at least 30 days in advance so we can review it on a case-by-case basis. 

- RRRG Insurance is required: For any approved clinic, you must hold a valid USHPA instructor certification, active liability insurance through the Recreational Risk Retention Group (RRRG), and have a BLM Special Recreation permit.

- What Counts as "Teaching for Pay": Please double-check your RRRG parameters regarding commercial operations. Per insurance and site policy, "pay" isn't just a formal tuition fee- it includes any compensation or expense coverage. Tips, covered fuel costs, free lodging, or split travel expenses all constitute commercial payment under the RRRG. If you are receiving any of these from participants, you are teaching for pay and must have prior WMIC event approval. Please don't be "that one" playing in the gray area.

- Do Your Homework Before You Arrive: Please don't rely on guesswork. Every pilot and organizer is required to thoroughly read our local rules online before heading up the mountain. Have you read them?

- Everything you need to know is right here:

👉 Our Website & Site Guide: www.rvhpa.org

👉 WMIC Instruction Rules: https://rvhpa.org/instruction/wmic/


I/We hate having to play enforcement, but violating these rules directly risks our site access and insurance. Thank you for respecting our landowners, looking out for the club, and keeping Woodrat safe and open for everyone!

If you have any questions or need more clarity, please read the info at the instruction link above or reach out to the WMIC members also listed there.

Thanks & safe flights.
- Kevin

Kevin Lee
Thermal Tracker Paragliding
6370 Highway 65
Ashland, OR 97520

541-890-7142
thermal...@gmail.com