Dear Members
There has been some confusion and misinformation relating to parakites such as the Flare Moustache and Flow Mullet.
While these wings have introduced various innovations which are now increasingly being adopted by paraglider manufacturers, these wings do not yet have an LTF/EN classification. As a result, there is confusion about whether these wings are “legal” or not (short answer: they are).
SAHPA Manual of Additional Procedures
The SAHPA Manual of Additional Procedures has always allowed for unrated wings, however in the past they were only allowed to be flown by Sports-rated pilots.
After the adoption of the Declared Training Organisation (DTO) regulations, certain schools have applied for, and been approved (by SACAA) to conduct differences training on unrated wings. This allows for basic pilots to undergo differences training and obtain an endorsement to legally fly unrated equipment while retaining coverage by SAHPA third party liability insurance.
This also provides landowners with reassurance that they are protected by SAHPA’s insurance.
Update to Manual of Additional Procedures
In order to eliminate any further confusion, the SAHPA Manual of Additional Procedures has been updated to clarify this:
Extract from the SAHPA MOAP
- SAHPA utilises the LTF and EN Paraglider classification list. Gliders flown on a Basic Licence may be further classified into the Beginner or Intermediate glider categories. For Higher level gliders, a Sport licence is required.
- Gliders not classified as per the above categories shall be graded by the National Safety committee and approved by the SAHPA Executive Committee. It is each member’s responsibility to obtain a class rating, failure to do so will automatically default the paraglider/hang-glider into the High Performance/Competition Class rating.
- In the case of the new design of paragliders that do not fit into the EN certification system (for example the Flare Moustache or Flow Mullet). These aircraft fit the definition of a paraglider and have been approved by the regulator to be flown as ab initio in training to a basic PG license or certificate, only under an appropriately approved school, with the applicable approval from the regulator and thereafter by a pilot with an endorsed basic or intermediate license or certification, provided that they have passed the applicable training, completed the syllabi and have the paraglider type endorsed in their logbook. The aircraft may be flown at all sites as per the licensing /certification requirements.
- Pilots may only fly a paraglider class with the appropriate class, license, certificate or applicable endorsement.
- The relevant NSO for paragliding shall have final say on any paraglider or hang-glider suitability for ab-initio training if there is a dispute.
- Paragliders do not require ATF’s and do not require checking by an AP or other authority and all repairs /maintenance and modifications or adjustments remain strictly the domain and control of the owner. SAHPA is not responsible for this checking or monitoring thereof.
Happy thermals,
Louis Stanford
SAHPA Chairman
+27 79 143 9009