Get together
On May 19th of 2001, the idea of a PPC club was first considered at a BFI refresher course sponsored by Floyd Funk in Hartford, WI. The 25 people in attendance expressed initial interest in the idea. Seven people volunteered to be the officers and steering committee members to facilitate getting the club organized.
On July 11th, the first officer meeting was held, and the next month the first newsletter of the group was mailed to a database of about 130 known PPC flyers. The next newsletter was mailed on October 1st of 2001.
As the club grew in membership, the WPPA ventured forth with a small fly-in at Rockdale that year. The response was very good.
In November of 2001, the WPPA reached a milestone of sorts with membership increasing to a level of 50.
The next year, in March of 2002, the WPPA facilitates a PPC breakout session at the annual Wisconsin Ultralight / Light Aviation Safety Seminar, held in Wisconsin Rapids.
Two short months later, the WPPA co-sponsors with WULAC the first ever Powered Parachute Safety Clinic in the state of Wisconsin. The event is held at the EAA facilities in Oshkosh. Eighty-four people participated in the one day safety clinic that included a free tour of the EAA AirVenture Museum.
At this point the membership total in the WPPA exceeds 80.
Branching out in June, The WPPA sponsors a large PPC Fly-In at Mark’s Park and Airfield in New London.
The next month, membership level reaches 100.
In March of 2003, the WPPA conducts the 2nd Annual Powered Parachute Safety Clinic at the EAA facilities in Oshkosh. It was expanded to a full day clinic and included speakers from RAD and Rotax. Over one hundred people attended along with numerous powered parachutes and venders.
Plans get underway for the second annual PPC Fly-In at Mark’s Park in New London, and in June of 2003, the event takes place. Over 20 birds assembled under the big tent, and Friday night featured a fly-over during Fremont Days in Fremont. Rain unfortunately arrived and didn’t end until Sunday, at which time the breezes kicked in.
At the fly-in, discussion centered around new officer elections and a WPPA Web Site.
At EAA, board members meet with the WULAC on sponsoring a Safety Seminar that encompasses powered parachuters, as well as other forms of ultralighters. A board member of the WPPA is also elected to sit on the board of WULAC.
In August of 2003, a new executive board emerges, armed with ideas and enthusiasm. A new web site also surfaces hoping to spread the word and work of the WPPA, as well as introduce people to the sport of powered parachuting.
Today, in 2018, with over 16 years of experience behind it, the WPPA continues the tradition of educating through the use of the annual clinic and fly-in, website, facebook, newsletter and a news blast to inform its members in the safe operation of the powered parachute.