This Part recognises SAHPA’s role as the representative body for recreational hang gliding and paragliding in South Africa, and its responsibility to advocate for the collective interests of its Members in engagements with regulatory, operational, environmental, and public-interest stakeholders.
Guidance
Advocacy under this Part relates to:
- the protection and advancement of Members’ rights and privileges to participate in recreational aviation;
- the promotion of safe, lawful, and sustainable operations;
- the preservation of access to flying sites and airspace;
- constructive engagement with authorities whose mandates intersect with recreational aviation.
This Part does not create individual rights to representation in personal disputes, enforcement actions, or private legal matters.
Stakeholder Engagement Context
SAHPA’s advocacy activities typically involve engagement with, but are not limited to, the following stakeholders:
- South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), including participation in consultative and regulatory processes such as CARCOM, and matters arising under the Civil Aviation Act and Civil Aviation Regulations.
- Aviation Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), in relation to search and rescue coordination, emergency response frameworks, and safety liaison.
- Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), particularly on matters of airspace structure, access, and coexistence with other airspace users.
- Working on Fire and other aerial firefighting agencies, where temporary or permanent operational restrictions may affect recreational aviation activities.
- National, provincial, and local municipalities, including land-use authorities, environmental management bodies, and site access stakeholders.
- South African National Parks (SANParks), CapeNature, and other conservation authorities, in relation to operations over or adjacent to national parks, nature reserves, protected areas, and environmentally sensitive regions, including matters arising under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA).
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), in relation to national environmental policy, biodiversity protection, and aviation activities with potential environmental impact.
Engagement with these entities is generally aimed at cooperation, information sharing, risk mitigation, and alignment of interests rather than adversarial advocacy.
Governance and Legal Context
SAHPA’s advocacy role is exercised within the framework of:
- its recognition as a Recreational Aviation Organisation under Part 149 of the Civil Aviation Regulations;
- applicable provisions of the Civil Aviation Act;
- principles of lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair administrative action as contemplated in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act;
- transparency and access to information principles under the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
In engagements with environmental and conservation authorities, including SANParks, CapeNature, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), SAHPA recognises the obligations and restrictions arising under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA) and the need to balance recreational aviation activities with conservation, biodiversity protection, and the public interest.
Limits of Advocacy
SAHPA’s advocacy role:
- does not extend to representing Members in individual disciplinary, criminal, or civil proceedings;
- does not override the authority of the SACAA or other competent authorities;
- does not guarantee specific regulatory or policy outcomes.
SAHPA may decline to advocate for positions that are unlawful, unsafe, environmentally harmful, or inconsistent with its mandate.
Rules relating to Advocacy
14.1 Authority to Advocate
14.1.1 SAHPA shall act as the primary representative body for its Members in matters of recreational hang gliding and paragliding when engaging with regulators, airspace authorities, emergency services, and governmental stakeholders.
14.2 Scope of Representation
14.2.1 SAHPA may advocate only on matters that affect Members collectively or the recreational aviation sector as a whole, and shall not represent individual Members in personal disputes or enforcement actions.
14.3 Delegation of Advocacy Functions
14.3.1 Advocacy engagements may be conducted only by:
- the SAHPA Committee; or
- persons formally authorised by the Committee to act on SAHPA’s behalf.
14.4 Alignment with Law and Safety
14.4.1 All advocacy positions advanced by SAHPA shall be consistent with applicable aviation legislation, safety principles, and environmental obligations.
14.5 Good-Faith Engagement
14.5.1 SAHPA shall conduct advocacy engagements in good faith, using accurate information and acting in a manner that promotes constructive relationships with stakeholders.
14.6 No Obligation to Advocate
14.6.1 SAHPA shall not be obliged to pursue advocacy positions requested by Members where such positions are unreasonable, unsupported, unlawful, or contrary to SAHPA’s objectives.