The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) is the UK governing body for the sport of hang gliding and paragliding, and is recognised by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the Royal Aero Club and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).It was formed in 1992 when the British Hang Gliding Association (BHGA) and the British Association of Paragliding Clubs (BAPC) merged. The number of people participating in hang gliding and paragliding has grown considerably since the early days, and the Association now has over 60 affiliated clubs, and around 7,000 individual members.
One of the prime objectives of the Association is to promote the highest possible safety standards within the sport. It does this through education, testing and training.
The BHPA takes its educational role seriously and publishes a Monthly Club Bulletin aimed at affiliated clubs and schools, and Skywings a monthly magazine aimed at individual members.
In the UK the BHPA is responsible for hang glider airworthiness, and issues a Certificate of Airworthiness for Type (C of A) when a glider has passed extensive tests for structural integrity, and demonstrated vice free handling in the air.
If subsequent operational experience ever suggests a possible cause for concern, the Association immediately undertakes an investigation, and if necessary issues a Safety Notice. These are sent out to all instructors and clubs, and are published in Skywings. You can also download Safety notices on the BHPA web site.
Pilots also have to be tested, but first they have to be trained.
Initial training must be undertaken within a BHPA registered school. Through its Schools Inspection Scheme the Association strives to ensure that tuition is provided by competent licensed instructors, working to a common syllabus and Pilot Rating Scheme.
The BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme
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Beyond Club Pilot
Once Club Pilot rating has been achieved, students may leave the school environment and continue their flying careers within a local club. Club coaches now take over from school instructors, and oversee further progress through the Pilot Rating Scheme.The South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club has around 450 members, and Like most clubs in the UK produces a Sites Guide indicating the minimum pilot rating required to safely fly each of the sites shown on the Sites Location Map.
Members of the SE Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club are automatically members of the Welsh Free Flight Federation, and enjoy access to many of the best flying sites in Wales through the reciprocal flying arrangements that exist within the Federation.
Members of the SE Wales Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club are also members of the British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association. The BHPA membership fee paid by Club members includes an annual premium for third party liability insurance cover. All qualified recreational pilots (CP or higher rating) flying solo with the SEWHG&PGC are consequently covered, through their BHPA membership, for 3rd party risks up to a maximum of £2,000,000 for any one incident.
Guidance on BHPA membership fees and suplementary charges is available on the BHPA fees page. To learn more about the BHPA and the benefits of membership, download a Membership Application Form, or fly off and visit the BHPA web site. For further information about the Welsh Free Flight Federation, check out their web site.