Hang gliding Observers are available many Saturdays at Ed Levin Park from 9:00am until noon. Check the calendar below to verify Observer availability.  In addition, many hang gliding Observers are available by appointment and can be contacted by posting on the WOR Bulletin Board.
 

Paragliding Observers are available by appointment only.   The paragliding Observer Coordinator is Tim Kuenster.

Please note: Hang gliding Observers can only observe hang glider pilots and paragliding Observers can only observe paraglider pilots. Be sure to check the colors on the calendar below -- RED for hang gliding Observers and BLUE for paragliding Observers.  An Observer can only observe skills which the Observer holds. If you require a skill sign off (RLF, FSL, etc.), you should verify the scheduled Observer is qualified.
 

Make sure to check this page often to verify that an Observer will be available, as our Observer's schedules and availability may change. An attempt is always made to keep this page up to date, but the best way to ensure the scheduled Observer will be at the hill is to call or simply post on the WOR Bulletin Board.
 

When an Observer is on duty, a flag should be flying at the corner of the LZ fence near the walk through. This is sometimes forgotten however, so don't be afraid to ask around to see if there's an Observer on site.

Final note: Make sure you arrive at 9:00am because the Observer may not wait around if no one shows up (or he may have already headed up the hill with an observee who arrived on time).
 

To get more information on how to get sign-offs, be sure to see the "How to get your sign-offs" section below.

Thank you and fly safe!
 

The WOR Observers
 

How to get your sign-offs:

First, there are 3 categories of folks with the capability to sign you off for certain skills:

1) Observers, 2) Basic Instructors and 3) Advanced Instructors.

Observers are intermediate rated or above pilots. They can sign off any and all skills they currently posess themselves. (For example, an intermediate Observer can not administer the advanced written test, but they can administer the intermediate test.)

Basic Instructors can only sign off spot landings, unless they are also an appointed Observer.

Advanced Instructors have all the same sign-off authority as an appointed Observer.

The only exception to the rules above is that anybody with sign-off authority (Observer, Basic Instructor, or Advanced Instructor) can sign off Intermediate or Advanced spots regardless of their own rating. Yup, you read that right. That means an intermediate Observer or Basic Instructor can sign off on advanced spots. Hopefully this will increase your chances of having someone available who can sign off those elusive spot landings.

In addition to the USHPA requirements, certain training is expected for "WOR Observers". Some Ed Levin privileges and sign-off require a WOR Observer, not just any garden variety Observer from North Dakota. Get familiar with the Ed Levin Site procedures so you know who can do what.

All folks with red initials listed above who volunteer for the Observer of the Day (OOD) program are WOR Observers, and MAY also be Basic or Advanced Instructors. That means they can do anything in regards to observing that you might require, up to their own skill level. (That said, it's useful for both Observers and observees to remember that an Observer is NOT supposed to be teaching, only witnessing successful or unsuccessful completion of tasks.)

Now, the best way to get your sign-offs is to free up Saturday mornings between nine and noon, when an OOD is scheduled to be at the park. Check this schedule just before coming out, as some OODs wait until just before a given Saturday to sign up.

Another good way to score an Observer is to use the email addresses on this page to make one on one contact with an Observer, and try to set up a meeting time that works for you both. This may prove frustrating, as most Observers are unpaid volunteers with busy lives just like you. Be courteous and keep trying if the first few Observers you contact are busy.

A third way to get signed off is to pay for a lesson with an Advanced Instructor. (NOTE: Paid lessons can't take place at Ed Levin due to our arrangement with the park, but an Advanced Instructor should have other options available to them.) This may be expensive, but you will get the attention required to advance quickly.

Lastly, some dedicated individuals are making themselves available for weekday observing:

Tim Kuenster is a paraglider Observer that can do weekdays.

Our hang gliding Observer coordinator committee consists of Chris Valley, Brian Foster and Doug Hahn.  (Please post to the WOR bulletin board for help with the Observer program.)

Observers don't usually commit more than a couple of weeks ahead, so check back often and don't forget to use the "reload" button on your browser to get the latest calendar.

NOTE: We will do our best to keep this page up to date, but it's still conceivable that you might show up on a scheduled Observer day and not find an Observer.