The HGFA is a non profit sporting body that administers Hang Gliding, Paragliding and Weight Shift Microlights under the regulations laid down by the Civil Air Safety Authority. As the administering body it provides standards for pilot training syllabus, pilot and instructor certifications and best practice in operational procedures throughout all of Australia.
Latest HGFA News
HGFA office closure over Christmas
Closes 23rd December 2011 at 12pm
Re-opening on 3rd January 2012 at 9am
November 2011 - Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued by CASA
CASA has issued an emergency AD regarding certain Rotax 912 and 914 engines. Please read the attached AD dated 24th November 2011 to determine if your engine is at risk.
Emergency Airworthiness Directive No.2011-0224-E, Issued November 24
August 2011 - Introducing IRIS
IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) is the new HGFA online incident reporting system. Supported by CASA and used by other self administering aviation bodies, IRIS is a key component in the ongoing development of HGFA safety management systems. IRIS allows simplified online access for HGFA members to lodge incident reports that will be centrally collated and disseminated back to State Associations and Clubs for safety awareness.
At all times members are encouraged to report incidents, not for retribution or criticism but to develop the safety culture that can change how the HGFA manages its risk and make positive, sensible change to internal systems and standards. With IRIS’s online reporting capability it is now easy for members to contribute and assist these changes. The User handbook is a comprehensive guide to a reporting culture and worth taking the time to read.
IRIS is available from the main menu under 'Incident Reports' or by following the link below.
If you cannot get to IRIS: Please report the incident, fax the form to the office and we will enter the details. Only by collating all incidents will the HGFA develop safety in our sports.
Lodging a report is easy:
- Click the IRIS logo.
- Click "login".
- Enter your HGFA number as the user name.
- Enter "hgfa" (without the quotes) as the password. (you can change your password once logged in.)
- Enter the report details.
Click to enter.
Quick Reference Guide for HGFA first time users
HGFA Committee Election, September 2011.
There are 15 HGFA members nominating for 9 positions on the HGFA Committee. Positions on the Committee will be decided by a postal ballot.
All eligible HGFA members will receive by mail before September 2nd a ballot paper and a Reply Paid return envelope.
HGFA members are encouraged to fill in the ballot paper, use the Reply Paid envelope and return it all to the HGFA no later than 30th September.
Successful nominees will be notified and commence their term in office at the conclusion of the next AGM 22nd October 2011.
Nominees are,
- Peter Allen pgpete@gmail.com
- Grant Cassar grantcassar@iinet.net.au
- Brett Coupland whirlwind@bigpond.com
- Paul Cox
- Chris Fogg
- Matt Fox
- Alex Grieve
- Alex Jones aa.jones@bigpond.net.au
- Rob Lithgow office@adventureairsports.com.au
- Greg Lowry greg.lowry@hgfa.asn.au
- Mark Mitsos
- Sun Nickerson
- Lee Scott fly@highadventure.com.au
- John Twomey
- Brian Webb brian.webb@hgfa.asn.au
Please click on a nominees name to view their nomination profile.
Juli 2011 - HGFA to follow CIVL recommendation
HGFA pilots,
Many of you will already be aware of the tragic events of the recent Paragliding World Championships in Piedrahita, Spain where 2 fatalities occurred on the 2nd task of the event. The resulting decision from CIVL to temporarily suspend Competition Class paragliders from flying in Category 1 events effectively ended the event.
CIVL's decision included a 'strong recommendation' for FAI Cat 2 events to also apply the suspension however the final decision to do so was left with the event organisers and the sponsoring NAC. The HGFA Management Committee has had feedback from the Competitions Committee, Safety Operations Committee and Australian competition organisers regarding CIVL's decisions and taken into consideration the position many other nations have taken and decided to follow CIVL's 'strong recommendation' and temporarily suspend competition class gliders from FAI Cat 2 events in Australia.
The Management Committee would like to note that such a decision is not taken lightly and is TEMPORARY in nature as the situation is expected to evolve rapidly and will be acted on as new information comes to hand. The next Cat 2 paragliding event in Australia is the Canungra Cup in October. The Competitions Committee will hold a meeting for all pilots during the Canungra Cup to more fully discuss as a group what the best direction is for Australia - ideally such a discussion would have happened prior to any alteration of the competition format but going against a recommendation from CIVL would create a level of risk the HGFA cannot afford.
Let's keep the discussion going around what we all want from our sport.
HGFA Management Committee
July 2011 Hang Gliding and Paragliding World Championships
Australia will field teams at both World Championships in Europe this July. The 12th Paragliding World Championships runs from July 3rd to 16th in Piedrahita, Spain followed by the 18th Hang Gliding World Championships from July 16th to 30th in Monte Cucco, Italy. There will be plenty of coverage from both events to keep everyone entertained through the cold mid-winter period. Team members and web details to follow the events here:
Paragliding Team:
Antje Daehler (Captain), Felipe Rezende, Ivan Anissimov, Geoff Wong and Dave Gibbs (reserve)
Hang Gliding Team:
Cameron Tunbridge, Dave May, Rod Flockhart, Len Paton, Jonny Durand Jr, Steve Blenkinsop, Trent Brown, Neil Petersen (Team Leader)
Team blogs:
Please follow the pilots and send them your support! On behalf of the membership, we wish all the pilots safe flying and great results in Europe this year.
May 2011 - CIVL plenary report
Hamish Barker attended the 2011 CIVL plenary and subcommittee meetings from 24-27 February in Lausanne as the Australian delegate. He has written a detailed report about the meeting and its background.
The official plenary minutes and subcommittee reports are also available.
April 2011 - Competition Appointment
Geoff Wong has kindly offered to assist co-coordinating the offer letters and contracts for paragliding pilots wishing to compete in Spain later this year. The HGFA office will help Geoff in his capacity to ensure those pilots wanting to compete, and are selected, have a successful competition. Competing pilots will return to Australia after the competition with significant experience that will help other Australian pilots develop their own flying skills.
Geoff can be contacted on 0403441147.
April 2011 - Office News
For 2 weeks during the Victorian school holidays the HGFA office will be short staffed while Millicent and Trene take well earned and deserved breaks. Millicent will be away the first week and Trene the second week. We will be back to normal right after Easter.
April 2011 - Amended CAO 95.8 & Wheeled PG and HG
From John Olliff, Operations ManagerThe HGFA generally, and HGFA pilots who particularly want to fly off the ground with wheels attached should be very pleased with the release on Wednesday 30th March of amended CAO 95.8. This amended CAO removes the legal impediment to attach and use wheels as a launch method for hang gliders and paragliders. I acknowledge the frustration of many pilots over the last 3 months who have had their “wings clipped” during the HGFA imposed moratorium on wheel based flying. However it is also very important to note, by acknowledging the oversight and managing the issues around the oversight we provided the confidence required for our regulator to move forward with their own sense of conviction. The result is a new CAO and new opportunities for HGFA pilots.
January 2011 - HGFA Newsletter
Read the latest HGFA newsletter here.
December 2010 - Ops Manager Appointment
The HGFA is pleased to announce the appointment of John Olliff as the new HGFA Operations Manger. John Twomey the outgoing Acting Operations Manager spent the week before Christmas with John Olliff before stepping down. We thank John Twomey for his contributions over the period when he stepped aside from his Committee responsibilities and into the Operation Managers role when Mark had to leave. John Olliff joins the HGFA management team with an aviation background including hang gliding, small business and corporate.
Contact Details Email john.olliff@hgfa.asn.au or operations.manager@hgfa.asn.au Mobile 0417644633 Office (03)9336 7155
Minutes of AGM - 9th of October 2010
The minutes of the HGFA AGM 2010 (draft) can be found here.
15 September 2009 - Sports Aviation Takes On The Risks...
The sports aviation industry and CASA have begun discussions about a new risk-based oversight approach. The inaugural Sport Aviation Safety Forum was held last month in Canberra to begin work on the approach to oversight. About 40,000 people are involved in sports aviation, operating more than 9000 aircraft across the nation. Changes being considered to the safety oversight of the sector aim to improve the self-administration processes. The moves follow a recent industry risk study conducted for CASA by consultants Aerosafe Risk Management. Ten organisations representing the diverse areas of sport aviation including parachuting, hang gliding and ultra-lights, assisted the study by building an individual risk profile of their activities. This led to the development of valuable ideas for treating risks and improving safety in the various sports. CASA has announced it will set up a new Sport Aviation office, as well as creating a sports aviation policy framework and providing performance standards for the sector. The Sport Aviation office will be a part of CASAs Standards Development and Future Technology division.
June 09 - Updates to 95.8, 95.10 and 95.32
New updates to these rules soon to be released. Keep a watch here for publishing of the new rules. Link will be placed to each regulation as soon as it is made law. Check CASA website for progress updates.
June 09 - New WM defect reports
Oil filter brackets on Airborne 582 showing fatigue cracks as low as 50 hours but more frequently at 300-800 hrs. Details here.
April 09 - Mandatory ELTs For WM
CASA moves to mandate ELTs for all CAO 95.32 WM aircraft flying over 50nm from point of take off.
Map Symbols for HG/PG/WM
Data list of symbols for HGFA aircraft operations Australia wide. Please check to see if information is correct and where possible provide updated information and contact person to the HGFA General Manager. Data will be updated to Office of Airspace Regulation every six months. More...
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HGFA NATIONAL OFFICE
:
4a/60 Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, Vic 3042
Ph: 03 9336 7155 Fax: 03 9336 7177 Email:
office@hgfa.asn.au
ABN: 15 276 389 269