It is important for you to be a part of your local flying community. The other pilots in your area are an integral part of your learning process. They will help you determine safe flying conditions for the sites you will be using, provide pointers and valuable experience, and be there for you if you get into trouble. Remember, flying alone is not only “un-fun”, it’s risky!

One of the great parts of paragliding is being able to travel, fly other sites and meet other pilots. When traveling it is especially important to at least contact a member of the local club and let them know you plan to be flying their site. They may ask you for a small fee to help with maintenance costs . Most club fees are extremely cheap and well worth the cost. In some cases you must to be a club member to fly their sites When you contact them it would be a good opportunity to ask for a site briefing when you arrive. They may ask you to pitch in a few dollars for the briefing etc. especially if they showed up specifically to give you a briefing.

“Renegading” on sites without permission or contact with a local is considered bad form and could lead to the site being shut down if you violate local rules or landowner agreements. News spreads fast and you will quickly find yourself unwelcome at other sites.

Local on-line discussion boards are great places to post your flight reports, plan trips, or ask questions. Please participate! Everyone enjoys reading about who has been flying while they were stuck in the office. It will also help you and others create a weather profile for the area. Sometimes days that looked mediocre on paper turn out to be epic. Did you miss out on one or were you the only one who knew it was going to be good? Post it!

If you are unsure who to contact for local or non-local club info ask your instructor! It’s a small community in the U.S. and almost everyone is either a friend, or a friend of a friend. Chances are your instructor at least knows of someone reputable in the area where you plan to be traveling.
 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all forms of flight in the U.S. and there is a specific regulation that pertains to the operation of ultralight vehicles - FAR 103. This particular Federal Aviation Regulation has been part of the flying community for a long time and we are expected to know its limitations and boundaries as they pertain to paragliding.

Paragliders are technically considered ultralight vehicles - by definition, an ultralight vehicle is one that:

A. is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant; B. is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;
C. does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and
D. if unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or
E. if powered:

a. Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation.
b. Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S.gallons.
c. Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight. d. Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.

Inspection Requirements

1. Any person operating an ultralight vehicle under this part shall, upon request, allow the Administrator, or his designee, to inspect the vehicle to determine the applicability of this part.

2. The pilot or operator of an ultralight vehicle must, upon request of the Administrator, furnish satisfactory evidence that the vehicle is subject only to the provisions of this part.

Waivers

No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from this part except under a written waiver issued by the Administrator.

Certification and Registration

1. Not withstanding any other section pertaining to certification of aircraft or their parts or equipment, ultralight vehicles and their component parts and equipment are not required to meet the airworthiness certification standards specified for aircraft or to have certificates of airworthiness.

2. Not withstanding any other section pertaining to airman certification, operators of ultralight vehicles are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements to operate those vehicles or to have airman or medical certificates.

3. Not withstanding any other section pertaining to registration and marking of aircraft, ultralight vehicles are not required to bear markings of any type. 


Hazardous Operations

1. No person may operate any ultralight vehicle in a manner that creates a haz- ard to other persons or property.

2. No person may allow an object to be dropped from an ultralight vehicle if such action creates a hazard to other persons or property. 


Daylight Operations

1. No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except between the hours of sun- rise and sunset.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, ultralight vehicles may be operated during the twilight periods 30 minutes before official sunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset or, in Alaska, during the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac, if:

   a. the vehicle is equipped with an operating anti-collision light visible for at least 3 statute miles; and

   b. all operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace. 


Right-of-Way Rules

A. Each person operating an ultralight vehicle shall maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid aircraft and shall yield the right-of-way to all aircraft.

B. No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in a manner that creates a collision hazard with respect to any aircraft.

C. Powered ultralights shall yield the right-of-way to un-powered ultralights.

Congested Areas

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.

Airspace

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.


Visibility and Cloud Clearance Requirements

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle when the flight visibility or distance from clouds is less than that in the table found below. All operations in Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D airspace or Class E airspace designated for an airport must receive prior ATC authorization.
 

A Novice paraglider pilot has the knowledge and basic skills necessary to fly and practice without direct instructor supervision but within significant operating limitations. The pilot understands the USHPA paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations.

The pilot shall use good judgment and have a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. Pilots must demonstrate Beginner level skills and knowledge before obtaining the Novice rating. All witnessed flights must be pre-planned by the pilot and discussed with the Instructor or specially qualified Observer.

Required Witnessed Tasks

A. Logged Requirements

1. Attends a minimum of 8hours of ground school

2. 25 flights - at the discretion of any paragliding instructor or special observer - powered paragliding flights can be used to fulfill this requirement. Use of a powered paraglider to demonstrate the required witnessed tasks is allowed, as long as the engine is stopped at no lower than 200 feet AGL and remains off.

3. 5 flying days.

B. Demonstrated Skills and Knowledge

1. Demonstrates layout and preflight of the canopy, harness, and backup reserve parachute.

2. Gives a reliable analysis of general conditions of the site and self, and a flight plan including flight path, areas to avoid in relation to the wind flow, and obstacles to stay clear of.

3. Demonstrates 5 consecutive forward inflations with a visual check of the canopy each time.

4. Demonstrates 5 consecutive controlled reverse inflations with proper surge dampening.

5. Demonstrates controlled kiting of a glider overhead for 2 minutes in a steady wind.

6. Demonstrates 2 clean smooth reverse inflations/reversals prior to launch.

7. With each flight, demonstrates a method of establishing that the pilot is properly connected to the glider, with cleared lines and risers just prior to inflation.

8. Demonstrates 2 successful, aggressive, confident inflations/launches, where the wind is at least 15° cross to straight up the hill in wind not exceeding 5 m.p.h.

9. Demonstrates 2 no-wind (0-5 m.p.h.) inflations/launches.

10. Demonstrate how to brief and instruct a ground crew and ex- plain when an assisted launch is necessary.

11. Demonstrates 2 high-wind (10-15 m.p.h.) inflations/launches.

12. Demonstrates flight with smooth variation in airspeed, from above minimum sink to fast flight, while maintaining a heading.

13. Demonstrates flight showing the ability to comfortably and precisely slow the glider to minimum sink and smoothly increase to normal airspeed while maintaining a heading. The pilot should not slow the glider to near the stall speed.

14. Demonstrates flight(s) along a planned path alternating 'S' turns of at least 90° change in heading. Flight heading need not ex- ceed 45° from straight into the wind. Turns must be smooth with controlled airspeed, ending in safe, stand up landings on a heading.

15. Demonstrates 360-degree turns in both directions, and at various speeds and bank angles.

16. Demonstrates hands-off flying, one handed flying skills, weight- shift turns, and rear- riser turns.

17. Demonstrates symmetric and asymmetric tip folds for increased descent rate.

18. Demonstrates the ability to judge and allow for proper clearance from a ridge and other aircraft.

19. Demonstrates 5 landings within 25' of a target, safe, smooth, on the feet and into the wind. The target must be sufficiently close to launch such that turns are required to set up an approach and avoid over-flying the target. The target should be at least 100' below the launch point.

20. Explains proper strong wind landing procedures and how to keep from being dragged back.

21. Explains correct canopy maintenance.

22. Explains how to lengthen and shorten the flight path.

23. Explains the right of way traffic rules.

24. Explains the use of a speed bar/accelerating system.

25. Demonstrates reserve deployment while hanging in a harness in simulated turbulence or malfunction conditions.

26. Gives a thorough verbal demonstration of knowledge of how to:

a. Maintain directional control during and correct for anasymmetric wingfold of 25% of the wing span.

b. Fly at minimum sink while precluding any chance of inadvertent stall or spin.

c. Increase descent rate and/or forward speed.

27. Demonstrates proper and effective PLF technique.

28. Must pass the USHPA Novice Paragliding written exam.

29. Must agree to all the provisions of the USHPA standard waiver and assumption of risk agreement for the Novice rating and deliver an original signed copy to the USHPA office.

30. Acknowledges and understands the need to become familiar with site-specific restrictions and launch or landing access limits, consistent with preservation of flying privileges at a site. 


Recommended Operating Limitations for Novice (P2) Paragliding Pilots

A. Should exceed these limitations only after thoroughly mastering all required tasks, and after acquiring a full understanding of the potential problems and dangers involved in exceeding these limitations.

B. Maximum base wind of 12 m.p.h.

C. Maximum peak gusts to 15 m.p.h.

D. Maximum gust rate of 5 m.p.h. in 5 seconds.

E. Should not fly in thermal lift where peak climb rates exceed 200 fpm.

F. If foot launching, should launch only on slopes steeper than 4:1, where the wind is within 25° of being straight up the slope.

G. Visual contact with the landing zone.

H. Avoid application of either brake beyond 2/3 of the way from slack to stall position.

I. Limit turns to 30° of bank, limit speed in turns to 1.5 times the straight line, brakes off, cruise speed, and smoothly exit any spiral turn which shows a tendency to steepen or accelerate.

J. Should fly a canopy recommended by the manufacturer as suitable for Beginner to Intermediate pilots. 


 

A Beginner pilot has the knowledge and basic skills necessary to fly and practice under direct instructor supervision and within significant operating limitations. The pilot understands the USHPA paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations.

Required Witnessed Tasks

A. Attends and completes a basic ground school.

B. Layout and preflight of canopy and harness.

C. Demonstrates canopy handling skills sufficient to launch - under control.

D. With each flight, demonstrate method(s) of establishing that pilot is properly connected to the canopy, with cleared lines and risers, just prior to inflation.

E. Launch unassisted showing: 

1. Aggressive inflation and run. 

2. Pendulum control during launch. 

3. Directional control. 

4. Smooth transition from running to flying during launch.

F. Airspeed recognition and control

1. Two flights, predetermined to show:

   1. Constant air speed.

   2. Smooth straight flight.

   3. Safe, smooth landing, on feet, into wind.

2. Two flights predetermined to show:

   1. Confident, slight variation in air speed showing awareness of control inputs and pendulum control.

   2. Smoothly increasing airspeed, and smoothly slowing airspeed showing good control.

   3. Safe, smooth landing, on feet, into wind.

G. Shows the ability to recognize and understand how different wind conditions at this site will affect their flights.

1. Wind direction.
2. Wind velocity.
3. Terrain shape.
4. Obstructions.

H. On each flight, demonstrates proper post-landing procedure, to include, but not limited to:

1. Canopy deflation.

2. Canopy immobilization.

3. Checking traffic.

4. Removal of canopy from landing area.

5. Disconnection from the canopy.

I. Demonstration of understanding of the importance of proper packing, storage, and care of the canopy.

J. Has read and understands USHPA statements regarding good judgment and maturity.

K. Must pass the USHPA Beginner Paragliding written exam.

L. Must agree to all the provisions of the USHPA standard waiver and assumption of risk agreement for the Beginner rating and deliver an original signed copy to the USHPA office. 


Recommended Operating Limitations for Beginner (P1) Pilots:

1. Should exceed these limitations only after demonstrating complete mastery of the required Beginner paragliding tasks (above), and only after acquiring a full understanding of the potential problems and dangerous situations which may arise from exceeding these limitations.

2. All flights be made under the direct supervision of a USHPA Certified Basic or Advanced Paragliding Instructor.

3. Should fly only in steady winds of 12 m.p.h. or less.

4. If foot launching, should only foot launch only on slopes of 3:1 - 4:1, where wind is within 15 degrees of being straight up the slope.

5. Should launch only when there are no obstructions within 60○ to either 
 side of the intended flight path.

6. Should fly appropriate sites for this skill level.

7. Should fly a canopy recommended by the manufacturer as suitable for Beginner or Novice pilots.