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
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.
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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