Information for Tandem Students
Things to know before your first hang gliding or paragliding tandem flight.
USHPA works to further free flight in the United States and
provides training and certification programs
for pilots. In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Tandem Exemption #4721, we are required to provide FAA instructional
materials to everyone taking a hang gliding or paragliding tandem flight.
Please review the information below, and contact your instructor with any
questions.
Important Resources
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 103
Hang glider and paraglider operations in the United
States are governed by Federal
Aviation Regulation Part 103 for
ultralight vehicles.
According to FAR part 103, ultralight vehicles, including hang gliders
and paragliders, are
not required to meet FAA airworthiness certification standards (although
manufacturers adhere to their own stringent standards). They must be used
only for recreation or sport purposes, may only be operated during daylight
hours, must yield right-of-way to all aircraft, and must stay at least 500 feet
or further from clouds at all times. Please click the link to FAR part 103
above for the full list of restrictions and requirements.
Tandem Exemption
Another primary restriction of FAR part 103 is that
ultralights can only be flown with a single occupant. To allow tandem
flights
The exemption states that all tandem flights must be for training
purposes only.
This makes you a student pilot! In your flight training, whether it be
just one flight or the beginning of a long hang gliding or paragliding career, the
FAA requires that you understand certain information provided in FAA flight
manuals. These materials are freely available online for review. Please
read it prior to your lesson, and ask your instructor any questions you have
before your flight.
FAA Handbooks for Pilots
All pilots are encouraged
to review the following FAA manuals,
the FAA Pilot's Handbook and the Powered Parachute Handbook.
The FAA maintains these instructional materials as free online
resources to provide essential information for all pilots, and content
from both manuals is integrated into USHPA’s pilot training program as
applicable.
FAA Pilot's Handbook - View
Here
Chapters to review:
- 2: Aeronautical Decision-Making
- 4: Principles of Flight
- 12: Weather Theory
- 15: Airspace
- 17: Aeromedical Factors
Powered Parachute Handbook - View
Here
Chapters to review:
- 1: Introduction to the Powered Parachute
- 8: Airspace Classification and Requirements
Ground School Training Manual
As a student member of USHPA, you are provided access to the Free Flight Pilot Ground School Training Manual (FAA materials consolidated in this document).