The joy of free flight

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Who we are

South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

SAHPA is a non-profit, membership-based, national association that represents and advances the interests of recreational and sport pilots that engage in Paragliding and Hang gliding (and powered versions thereof).

SAHPA is also a statutory body with an approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to oversee the operations of SAHPA members, ensure compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations and SAHPA Manual of Procedures, and report non-compliance to the regulator.

As a chapter of the Aero Club of South Africa, it is also affiliated to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

What we do

Our Mission

Protect

Protecting the interests of our pilots through stakeholder engagement and applicatication of sound Governance, Risk and Compliance principles.

Administer

Ensuring that all regulatory, insurance and operational requirements are met so that our pilots may fly legally and safely with the minimum bureaucracy.

Promote

Promoting the sport by supporting clubs to develop safe flying communities, and engaging with the public to increase participation.

Stay safe

Accident Statistics

SAHPA maintains a register of all accidents, rescues and fatalities to assist with the identification of emerging trends which require corrective or preventative action. It also assists with identifying hazardous conditions, environment or behaviour which may lead to accidents.

Stay legal

Check your licence and ratings

Once you receive your licence card from CAA, you can access the CAA portal to check expiry and ratings. Select ‘Flight Crew Licence‘ on the next page.

Check CAA Licence

Where to fly

Site Guide

The SAHPA Site Guide is a collection of knowledge of launch- and landing-sites around South Africa. This is partly based on Greg Hamerton’s Fresh Air Site Guide, and information is now updated by local pilots.

Stay curious

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why must I belong to SAHPA?

    Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 94.06.2: “Any person operating a non-type certificated aircraft for aviation recreational purposes shall be a bona fide member of an applicable aviation recreation organisation designated by the Director in terms of Part 149 and abide by its constitution and code of conduct, if any.”

    In other words, yes, any person (even a student) flying a paraglider, hang-glider (or powered versions thereof) are required to be SAHPA members.

  • Must student pilots be SAHPA members?

    Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 94.06.2: “Any person operating a non-type certificated aircraft for aviation recreational purposes shall be a bona fide member of an applicable aviation recreation organisation designated by the Director in terms of Part 149 and abide by its constitution and code of conduct, if any.”

    In other words, yes, any person (even a student) flying a paraglider, hang-glider (or powered versions thereof) are required to be SAHPA members.