The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) is proud to serve the great sports of hang gliding and paragliding. Through programs like our Instructor Certification and Pilot Proficiency program and our monthly magazine USHPA Pilot, the USHPA strives to promote pilot safety, skill, knowledge and above all fun. Now is the time to pursue your desire of flight. We'll see you in the sky.
About the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
Established in 1973, the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association encourages all those who wish to fly - whether it be hang gliders, paragliders, speed gliders or all of the above - to join the USHPA as members. Through certification, information resources, specially negotiated insurance, competition sanctioning, partnerships with the FAA, FAI, NAA, and more - USHPA remains America's only nationally recognized free-flight governing body of these sports. Learn to fly, be eligible for a rating, donate to our cause, fly with a tandem pilot, or teach others about your passion for personal flight by instructing. Together, as an Association, we can ensure the flying we enjoy today will be around tomorrow.
What is hang gliding and paragliding?
Hang gliding and paragliding are two forms of foot-launched ultralight flight. Typically these craft are flown in the same places, but each has unique characteristics of transport, set-up, and flight. There are many different levels on which hang gliding and paragliding can be pursued. There are those who enjoy simple top of the hill to bottom of the hill sled rides. Some enjoy soaring in smooth ridge lift. There are those who want to gain thousands of feet of altitude and fly long distances. This is a sport of progressions – it is truly a lifelong sport with a lifetime of learning.
