Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada / L'Association Canadienne de Vol Libre, hang glide, hang glider, hang gliding, paraglide, paraglider, paragliding, aviate, aviation, fly, flying, flight
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The event marks the start of the flying season for many people and is the largest gathering of Maritime pilots during the year. With over nine different potential flying sites and friendly competitions, it is a social highlight for many pilots.
Pilots from across Canada looking to visit the East should consider making the journey to Nova Scotia for this premier event. With several days of potential flying and a lobster boil on the beach overlooking the scenic Bay of Fundy, this is a very special event.
2013-2014 INSURANCE CERTIFICATES NOW AVAILABLE
The new Site Insurance Certificates for Landowners are available now. Please note there is no fee for these certificates. Please email the application form to the HPAC Office in Vancouver.
New School Insurance Certificates are also available. Please note that these have a fee attached to them. Please fill out the application form and send it in together with payment by Canada Post to the HPAC Office in Vancouver.
This winter competition season started off with the 19th FAI World Hang Gliding Championships in Forbes, Australia, where Canada was represented by Rob Clarkson and Tyler Borradaile. They endured 2 weeks of big tasks and long days in the Aussie heat, against a very strong international field and the best HG pilots in the World.
http://www.forbesflatlands.com/
At the same time, the annual Monarca Paragliding Open was going on in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, where 8 Canucks participated. Brett Hazlett almost took the top prize, coming in 2nd place overall, while Nicole McLearn was top female and 23rd overall. A special mention to Brett Yeates who was flying a sports-class glider and managed 34th, as well as Will MacKenzie who made goal one day for his first time ever!
http://www.monarcaopen.com/
Back in Australia, Alex Raymont participated in the Bright Open and Corryong Open after several years away from competing, and after a couple of days to get back in the comp-saddle, made goal many times on his sports-class glider and placed top-20 in both comps.
http://alpineinfotech.com.au/WordPress/ http://www.corryongopen.org/
And finally, the World Cup Superfinal just took place in Roldanillo, Colombia, the hot new destination for PG and HG flying. There was one Canadian participating, Fred Bourgault, competing against the very best PG pilots in the world. The FTV scoring system made for some exciting races as pilots were allowed to discard several of their worst scores, allowing them to fly more aggressively than usual.
http://www.pwca.org/
Congratulations to all our pilots!
More information about the upcoming 2013 Competition scene will be forthcoming.
Nicole McLearn
HPAC Competition Chair
2013 FAI and PWC competition funding
Funding is available to qualified pilots going to FAI category 1 championships and World Cup Superfinals. These are elite competitions with rigorous selection criteria; few pilots are accepted into such competitions. Funding is meant to partially offset the costs of attending these 2-week competitions and is directed at expenses such as airfares, entry fees, and tow fees.
Comps that qualify are FAI category 1 championships (Worlds, Europeans, Asians, Pan-Americans) and Paragliding World Cup Superfinals. Both HG and PG pilots are eligible.
Pilots must be members of HPAC. Pilots are eligible for funding for 1 comp per year; pilots attending an FAI category 1 comp and a PWC Superfinal in the same year cannot get funding for both. HPAC and the Comp Chair will arrange for funding, and eligible pilots will be notified after attendance is confirmed. Funding will be given AFTER the competition is finished. Funding is dependent on HPAC's annual budget but is anticipated to be $3000 for 2013.
For further information contact Nicole McLearn, Competition Chair, HPAC
2013 HPAC/ACVL CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDER
SHARE YOUR PASSION WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES AND LANDOWNERS
The 2013 calendars showing images of our member pilots flying sites across Canada are now available for ordering. They make excellent gifts for family, friends and work colleagues with whom you want to share your passion for flight. They also make great gifts for the many landowners who allow us to land on their property season after season. Clubs and schools will also find these calendars to be an excellent way to reward the many volunteers who help make our sport and our events work. Order by clicking on the right of this homepage for easy ordering and payment by Paypal.
All pilots planning their Competition schedule
If pilots attending competitions in 2013 wish their results to count for FAI WPRS points, they'll need a sporting license.
Sporting licence application form (pdf) The form plus payment must be sent in to Suzanne at the Aero Club of Canada and pilots will receive a wallet card.
It's NOT mandatory to get this license, but some organizers may require it (pilots will have to ask depending on which comps they attend) and it's necessary if pilots want WPRS points (which are required if one ever wants to go to an FAI Worlds, Europeans, Pan-Asians, etc).
Due to the holiday season coming up, it is recommended that any pilot planning on attending a comp in January (eg. Colombia Open, Superfinal, Monarca, Forbes Worlds) apply for this as soon as possible.
Nicole McLearn, Competition Chair, HPAC
NOVEMBER 19, 2012
HPAC/ACVL COMMUNIQUÉ
SENIOR INSTRUCTORS SUMMIT
Vancouver November 16-18, 2012
In accordance with HPAC/ACVL's National Mission to its members to maintain best practices in the instruction of hang gliding and paragliding in Canada and to insure the long term survival of the sport, the Senior Instructors from across Canada have just concluded the first ever working conference in the history of HPAC/ACVL to review instructional standards. This brings HPAC in line with other associations internationally who have engaged in similar reviews.
The Senior Instructors group, now officially known as the Council of Senior Instructors (CSI) with responsibility for all instruction in Canada, conducted a comprehensive review and overhaul of all aspects of Instruction including the following:
Updating and refocusing all Rating Requirements (Beginner through Senior Instructor) from a numbers base to a skills base
Aligning Canadian standards with best international standards
Updating all Exams to meet the new rating requirements
Committing to tighter safety protocols and quality assurance for all instruction and free flight at flying sites in Canada
Review of the just-released Recommendations of the Special Investigator Report on the HG fatality at Mount Woodside, BC in 2012
Commitment to a National Syllabus and Standards for HG/PG Instruction and a Quality Seal of Approval program for Schools meeting the national standards
Commitment to an instructional code of ethics and to quality assurance, including optimal safety for students and tandem students and best business practices within schools
A timetable over the next few months of a systematic rollout and communication throughout the flying community of the new ratings requirements and exams developed by the Senior Instructors; rollout to be complete in early 2013 for application beginning in the 2013 flying season.
Completing the large agenda efficiently and finalizing decisions on site were made possible by a face-to-face working meeting with extensive advance preparation by each Senior Instructor. The resultant expertise-exchange and relationship building amongst the Senior Instructor group insured that the best practices were captured from across Canada and regional differences in instruction and types of flight were incorporated into all decision-making. In addition to Senior Instructors, the meeting was attended by Dom Juretic (HPAC President), Bruce Busby (HPAC Vice-President) and Margit Nance (HPAC Executive Director) to help facilitate simultaneous translation and meeting organization.
The changes made at this meeting reaffirm the commitment of the Council of Senior Instructors (CSI) to train safe pilots, instructors and tandem pilots who are respectful of their own skill levels and respectful of the natural and regulatory environment in which they fly, and hereby to insure the future of the sport in Canada.
SENIOR INSTRUCTORS COUNCIL (CSI)*
Jayson Biggins (VI Paragliding) (BC)
Jacques Blanchet (Voiles Quatre Saisons) (Québec)
Glenn Derouin (Paraglide Canada) (BC)
Michael Fuller (Pegasus Paragliding) (Nova Scotia)
Mark Dowsett (Instinct Windsports) (Ontario)
John Janssen (Muller Windsports) (Alberta)
Keith MacCullough (Muller Windsports) (Alberta)
René Marion (Aerostyle Airsports) (Québec)
Barry Morwick (Adventure at Altitude) (Manitoba)
Eric Olivier (Distance Vol Libre) (Québec)
Jim Reich (Fly BC) (BC)
Michael Robertson (High Perspective) (Ontario)
Dion Vuk (IParaglide) (BC)
*(Five other Senior Instructors will be part of this group going forward but were not available to attend this inaugural meeting; schools in which they work as Senior Instructors were all represented by those in attendance)
NOTICE TO INSTRUCTORS/TANDEM PILOTS
As the season is now coming to a close for some or changing to winter flying or going south,
now is a good time to check your HPAC profile to confirm that you are current on your
Instructors/tandem status and your First Aid.
CONGRATULATIONS TO VINCENT VAILLANCOURT!!
The Board of Directors of HPAC has voted unanimously to grant the HG Tandem II
Rating to Vincent Vaillancourt of Distance Vol Libre.
He is the first Instructor/Tandem Pilot in the history of our Association to hold Senior
Tandem Ratings in both Hang Gliding and Paragliding.
A huge achievement, Vincent! Congratulations from your fellow pilots in Québec and
throughout the country!
HPAC MEMBERS TRAVELING OUT OF COUNTRY TO FLY
Members who may be going to warm places to fly over the winter or traveling next year can apply for an International Proficiency Card (IPPI Card) recognized worldwide as proof of proficiency in Hang Gliding and/or Paragliding. This can facilitate access to sites or events where proof of proficiency may be required. HPAC can issue such a card for current HPAC members.
Further information can be found here. The fee of $15 (cheque or money order) should accompany the application and be sent to the HPAC office in Vancouver.
ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING
Now that the 2012 flying season is slowly winding down in many parts of Canada, it is important to file accident reports with our HPAC Safety Chair, Jason Warner at safety@hpac.ca with a copy to admin@hpac.ca.
Accident reporting forms can be found here. The objective is not to identify individual pilots but rather to identify actions or circumstances that will or may have contributed to an accident, in the pilot's own words.
The purpose of filing these is two-fold:
1) to build accurate accident/incident statistics for the sport in Canada, and
2) to develop a database outlining the general circumstances of any particular event that fellow pilots can learn from and that may identify generic issues that would need to be addressed by our association.
As the statistics presentation for members is still in redevelopment at this time, there is not yet a document on the website.
However, HPAC does have a set of accident statistics that are designed specifically for the needs of landowners and other agencies.
The type of information presented is the result of collaborative work with several landowners. They are current up to and including the end of 2011 but are not yet on the website. Please contact Margit Nance at the HPAC Office if you need a copy for a landowner.
HPAC on launch at the Paragliding National Championships 2012 in Pemberton, B.C.
Picture by Ann-Marie Carter
The Divorce — Getting Out Of It
Michael Fuller, Senior Instructor and Master Pilot
I've got a problem and I think it's a good one. It's one that's been nagging at me for the past year or so. Things just aren't going right. I think, "There's got to be more to it", "Where did the spark go?" and of course the deadly realization that, "I'd rather be somewhere else!" Without a doubt these are the seeds of divorce!
Wait a minute; this is no lovelorn column for distracted hearts. In many ways though it's the same issue. This is about turning my back on a life bonded to paragliding and to my school. In 1992 I was two years into a new passion, paragliding. I loved this sport of ours so much that I decided to take the plunge and make a formal commitment. I tossed aside one career and jumped at the chance to tie the knot with my new passion by starting a school. Pegasus Paragliding Inc. was born out of every bit as passionate an attraction as was my long-standing love with my partner Krista. I wanted to fly off every hill, every mountain, soar every ridge, climb through the atmosphere to heights of intoxicating excitement and joy. And I wanted to share every bit of the skills needed to achieve this with everyone who had the passion lurking in their genes.
I bought gear. I trained with the best - Willi Muller, Michael Robertson, and Glenn Derouin. I chose a school name that seemed poetically fitting with my life – Pegasus, a horse with wings. From my past of raising horses to my present of flying above all, Pegasus represented to me the perfect image. For the last sixteen years I've been blessed with a life that has not brought me riches but has brought me a wealth of experience and friendships that far outweighs pedestrian gains. I've met and taught so many wonderful people that have become the best of friends a man could have. I've received from them not just the means of making a living, but their heartfelt thanks for bringing them into the sport and their unrestrained admiration for the way we teach. I say we because I've also been blessed with great help in presenting the Pegasus syllabus through the skills of Brian Wheaton and Blake Daley.
Some years were better than others but through it all the school has grown, the syllabus has developed, the course schedule has expanded, training and flying sites were developed, an annual tour to Portugal was included, legal incorporation was attained and eastern Canada importation for Advance paragliding equipment was secured. This past year of 2011 has been the single most productive year that I've enjoyed and 2012 has also been encouraging.
So what is this talk of divorce? Well, in this reflective mood I also recall so many times that I've watched the eagle soar ever higher as I sat on the ground with a radio talking to a want-to-be bird about right and left turns and bank angle. I'm feeling the pull of the need to spread my own wings in many, many ways and the reality is I'm sixty five and I've got so much flying to do, places to go, people to see and things to do that I want to get started on my next career.
However the ending of a long-term relationship always comes with a bit of guilt. You see, I happen to be the only fulltime school of paragliding in English eastern Canada so if I pull up stakes and close shop there's going to be a huge custody issue or perhaps more aptly an adoption crises. The only solution as I see it is to sell Pegasus to someone who will be here for the developing needs of the present and future flock of pilots and students. So there you go. I'm offering an up and running school with tons of landowner good will, a significant community of pilots/client base and capital assets to some eager person that is ready to pick up and carry on for the next generation of pilots. Elsewhere you will find the ad specific to the sale or you can just go to pegasusparagliding.com
By the way the new love is of life. I'm not hanging up the wing but moving on with it to serve a new mistress.
Investigator Report on the April 28, 2012
Tandem Hang Gliding Fatality
MEDIA RELEASE — August 22, 2012
On Saturday, April 28th 2012, a Tandem Hang Glider, piloted by an HPAC tandem-certified instructor, Mr. Jon Orders, was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of the tandem passenger Lenami Godinez-Avila. An investigation was launched by HPAC.
The findings of this investigation were based on witness statements and evidence held by the RCMP. At this point in time, the investigation does not include any information or statement from the pilot, Mr. Orders (an HPAC accident report has not been received).
The inspection of equipment and the review of evidence have eliminated any possibility of equipment failure. The equipment was found to be in good to excellent condition and well suited for tandem hang gliding instruction. All suspension straps and connecting devices were found to be without defect and in good working order. Weather conditions do not appear to have been a contributing factor.
The investigation concluded that the passenger's harness was not connected to the glider on takeoff. The required "hang-check" (or any other suitable method of harness/glider connection test) was not performed prior to the pilot committing to take off. The failure to ensure the connection of the passenger to the glider and failure to perform a thorough pre-launch readiness assessment suggests compounding incidents of pilot error. The investigation determined that these critical steps were included in the HPAC Tandem Course re-certification taken by Mr. Orders in March 2012, only a few weeks prior to this incident.
The investigation was unable to determine the reason for the omission of the critical pre-launch safety checks.
A review of the events leading up to takeoff suggests that there were multiple distractions that may have resulted in a breakdown of standard operating procedures. On the day of the accident, Mr. Orders had two passengers booked for a tandem flight. These two passengers knew each other (boyfriend/girlfriend). To accommodate the two passengers Mr. Orders employed a tandem instructor, Mr. Shaun Wallace, an Australian national with substantial tandem experience, and a second glider to accommodate the second passenger. According to launch witness statements, the two pilot instructors appeared to deal with the two tandems as a team. Both pilot instructors assisted in preparation for the multiple launches. While Mr. Orders readied for launch, Mr. Wallace was in the immediate area and would have been present and available to assist in a hang check procedure.
Mr. Wallace participated in several actions associated with the operation of Mr. Orders' tandem, including delivering the passenger to Mr. Orders, the activation of Mr. Orders' video camera, and remaining directly behind the glider during the launch process.
Mr. Orders, as Pilot In Command, was solely responsible for the safety of his passenger. The unusual aspect of a second pilot instructor being present for the event makes it is difficult to understand how the multiple phases of the pre-flight where missed by both pilots, and how the hang check was not performed. The investigation concludes that the dynamics of multiple passengers and instructors may be the key to understanding why the critical pre-launch procedures were not performed.
Until such time that a statement from Mr. Orders is made available, the investigation assumes that pilot distraction resulted in a failure to perform recommended standardized safety procedures, resulting in the death of the passenger, Lenami Godinez-Avila.
The investigation advises that recommendations will follow at a later date.
Accident Statement prepared by:
Martin Henry
HPAC Accident Investigator
Media Contact:
Margit Nance
Executive Director
HPAC
admin@hpac.ca
1-877-370-2078
Visitors to Canada
You are most welcome by Canadian hang glider and paraglider pilots and to our beautiful flying sites. To gain access, Visiting Pilots must take out Temporary HPAC/ACVL membership, good for a maximum of 60 days, at a cost of $40. This is a requirement of most of our landowners, public and private, as it includes the required Third Party Liability Insurance of $5 million.
Two ways to get Temporary Membership:
IN ADVANCE of your arrival you can get the form and waiver ( doc or pdf) and mail it to the HPAC/ACVL office in Vancouver with an International Money Order
OR
ON SITE from an HPAC/ACVL instructor or member who can provide the form and waiver and collect the fee and send it to the HPAC/ACVL Office on your behalf. Your membership is valid when it has been received by an HPAC/ACVL member.
Note: This transaction cannot take place electronically as an original hard-copy waiver is required by our Insurer.
Colleen Varcoe named as new Senior Instructor/Tandem II
Colleen Varcoe of FlyBC has been newly appointed as a Senior Instructor/Tandem II by the Board of Directors of HPAC/ACVL. She has been instrumental in running Instructor and Tandem courses at FlyBC for the past 10 years and has instructed a steady stream of PG students since the late nineties. Colleen is a Professor in the School of Nursing at UBC.
Registration is open and pilots are encouraged to register early for the competition as well as for accommodation in Pemberton. www.paraglidenationals.com - Little video
Your views and decisions are vital to our Association. Please log in to the HPAC forum to participate in this important meeting.
Instructor and Tandem Pilot Checklist 2012 Season
With the new flying season now in full swing, instructors and tandem pilots are asked
to please doublecheck that all certifications and endorsements are completely up to date. Recertifications and other endorsements should be renewed prior to their expiry and when recertification courses are being offered by Senior Instructors. Instructors and tandem pilots are encouraged to review their instructor profiles on this site on a regular basis. Please contact the HPAC Office in case of any discrepancies.
Paramotoring
Pilots are advised that when they are paramotoring, they are not covered by their HPAC insurance, even if they are current HPAC members. Paramotoring falls under the classification of ultralight under Transport Canada and the certifications and pilot and aircraft registrations are
outside of the jurisdiction of HPAC.
Pilot Checklist for Start of the 2012 Flying Season
Peace and Quiet at Pemberton May 2012...
..But plans for the HG and PG Nationals are building rapidly:
An official investigation has been launched by HPAC into the tandem hang gliding accident at Mount Woodside near Agassiz, BC on April 28, 2012. It has named Martin Henry as its official Investigator, with the assistance of Jason Warner, HPAC Safety Chair.
Martin Henry was previously the Official HPAC/ACVL Accident Investigator for the BC Coroner’s Service in the Fort Langley Tandem HG Fatality (2003) and is an expert in world industry standards for hang gliders, related equipment, reserve parachute and harness construction, maintenance and repair. He is a former President of HPAC/ACVL and an active participant in the Transport Canada/NAV Canada Airspace Review.
He is an active Master-rated Hang Glider pilot since 1973, active paraglider pilot since 2006, was a member of the 1989 HPAC/ACVL World Team and is a Hang Gliding World Record Holder.
The Investigator’s mandate is to determine the cause of the accident and, as necessary, to provide recommendations to prevent future accidents. His investigation will include the evaluation of all evidence: pilot, witness interviews, police statements/reports, glider and equipment, video information and any other evidence deemed pertinent to the investigation. A final report will be submitted within thirty days of the examination of the physical evidence, date to be determined.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Mr. Henry will provide a written report to HPAC/ACVL. He will also be providing active assistance as requested to the RCMP and the BC Coroner’s Service for their investigations.
The Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada, its Board of Directors and members,
are in deep shock over the tragic accident that occurred at Mount Woodside near Agassiz, BC a
few days ago.
The pilot, Jon Orders, and all equipment, have been in police custody since the accident. Over
the last few days the Association has been gathering facts surrounding this accident from a
number of sources. It has named Martin Henry as the Accident Investigator for the Association,
with the assistance of Jason Warner, Safety Chair. Martin Henry is an experienced Accident
Investigator and Safety Specialist, Master-rated hang gliding pilot with over 30 years experience
and a past President of HPAC.
The Board of Directors of the Association has today suspended the tandem instructor
certification for pilot Jon Orders, effective immediately. The Board will await the conclusion of
the investigation to determine the application of additional disciplinary measures, which could
include the loss of all ratings and expulsion from the Association.
Please contact the HPAC Office for all enquiries.
Margit Nance
Executive Director
HPAC
HPAC National Office: 308 - 1978 Vine Street, Vancouver, BC V6K 4S1 (877) 370-2078 admin@hpac.ca
Message from the Prez!
It is my honor to announce that the following bid for the 2012 Canadian National Hang Gliding National Championships was approved by HPAC’s board of directors.
Good luck to Mark Dowsett and cheers for Pemberton which will host the event for the first time August 12th – 18th 2012.
It is my honor to announce the approval of the following bid for the 2012 Canadian National Paragliding Championships, as presented by Mr. Jim Orava and as recommended by the HPAC’s competition committee. Join me in wishing the best of luck to Jim and the whole group in Pemberton as they host our paragliding nationals between the 5th and 12th of August 2012.
The 2012 HPAC Annual Directors Meeting will be held April 20-22, 2012. Members are asked to be in contact with their Regional HPAC
Director if they have specific issues from their region or Canada-wide that they wish to be addressed by the Board. Regional Director
contact information can be found here: http://hpac.ca?22
Dear Nicole McLearn;
I want to congratulate you on your achievement in the FAI/CIVL WXC Online Contest of 2011 season. You might already have seen the CIVL announcement on the CIVL web, but anyway here it is: http://www.fai.org/civl-news/35326-wxcwinners2011
You achived a winners place in Place: 3 in Paraglider Serial (any LTF/EN) Women
We have already prepared diploma for you achivement.
Best regards
Agust Gudmundsson
Acting CIVL President
Winner of Best 2012 HPAC/ACVL Calendar Picture: Most votes were received by Brad Farrow (October). Congratulations, Brad! Your vario is on its way to you, donated by Fly BC.
The Calendar 2012 is ready! See link and at the right. Order them now!
Please note that the new Business Manager and the new address of the HPAC/ACVL Office are as follows:
Margit Nance - HPAC/ACVL Business Manager 308-1978 Vine St. Vancouver, BC V6K 4S1 Email: admin@hpac.ca Phone: (604)731-4407 FAX: (604)731-4407
While every effort is being made to update all forms on this website to reflect this change, please double check that you are sending all mail to the new address.
Don't forget the fund of $2500 for the first 10 competitions registered by HPAC's competition chair.
This fund is to be administered by HPAC's business manager at a maximum amount of $250 per competition and a rate of $25 per registered pilot. The organizers must submit the list of registered pilots who have already paid their entry fee to the business manager.
Thank you for your patience during the mail strike. All new membership cards will be mailed out as soon as possible.
To all members,
On behalf of the board of directors I am pleased to announce that effective 1st May 2011 Margit Nance from Vancouver will be our Association's new Business Manager.
We appreciate your patience during this transition period. Margit brings a wealth of experience to this role - please join me in wishing her success!
Both HG and PG nationals are set to be in Golden before the Willi, this year. See the websites for details and registration: PG nats website and HG nats website. Congratulations to bidders Brett Yeates & Fiona Katay!
Announcement! Election of HPAC Directors has begun. Please go to the forum link to view the procedure and details. The closing date for a recommendation is 20TH NOVEMBER 2010.
Attention Schools and Instructors: Steve Younger, the IAC Chair, has produced a report that describes some of the changes that have come into affect this season with respect to ratings and rating exams. The changes should be noted and forwarded to all instructors and schools. Please take the time to read the following document and update your files.
The 2010 Calendars are now selling for $10. Get yours today!
IMPORTANT NOTICE.. Change of dates: Due to the Canadian PG Championships date placement, the Willi 2010 has been pushed forward and will commence July 17th and will end July 24th. Check the events page for more details.
The 2010 Canadian Paragliding National Championships will be held in Golden, BC this year, July 26th to August 1st. For more information, contact the meet organizer(Bruce Busby).
Just recently, there were a few Canadians on the podium down at the XCeara 2009 competition in Brasil. The results can be seen on the results page. Congratulations goes out to René Marion (first place) and Eudenir Cadoso (third place). You can follow along on Rene's blog.
The 2010 Canadian National Hang Gliding Championships will be held in Lumby, BC this year, June 13-19. For more detailed information and registration links, please visit www.lumbyairforce.com. Check the google spreadsheet for details on who's signed up so far.
Address Change!! Please note that any old forms printed previous to November 2, 2009 will have the old BM's address.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jayson Biggins for acquiring his Paragliding Tandem 2 certification!
2009 Willi Muller XC Challenge, Jul.24-Aug.2, Mt.Seven, Golden, BC - Congratulations to everyone, especially the winners in each category:
Please proceed to the "AGM 2009 - Annual General Meeting" forum (requires login) to cast your vote. Login instructions are located at the top of the page (if you are not already currently logged in).
CONGRATULATIONS to Gerry Grossnegger and Charles Mathieson for being awarded Master ratings in hang gliding, and to Michael Fuller for being awarded a Master rating in paragliding!
CONGRATULATIONS to Guy Leblanc for being awarded the Cliff Kakish (Outstanding Volunteer) award!
CONGRATULATIONS to John Jansen for being awarded the Jamie Christensen (Long Term Achievement) award!
CONGRATULATIONS to Doug Skye for acquiring his Paragliding Senior Instructor certification!
CONGRATULATIONS to Jacques Blanchet for acquiring his Paragliding Senior Instructor and Paragliding Tandem 2 certifications!
Three Canadians are participating in the 2009 Red Bull XAlps
Max Fanderl, Penny Powers, and Alex Raymont. It's great to see the dedication that goes into the race well in advance.
Their blog feeds (with an RSS feed) can be found here. More on the Race here.
Thirty International athletes race non-stop through the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea, with just a paraglider and a pair of hiking boots to help them, their every move tracked by advanced technology and broadcast to an audience of millions.
Now established as one of the toughest and most spectacular adventure races in the world, the Red bull X-Alps will be even more exciting for its fourth running in 2009.
Thirty athletes will negotiate turning points in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France before finishing on the beautiful Mediterranean Coast.
The race goes on day and night, sun or snow, until the first pilot reaches the goal. Athletes are forbidden any kind of motorised transport but can select a supporter to help supply food, equipment and information.
2009 Canadian Nationals
We are pleased to announce that Sun Peaks, British Columbia and Mount Yamaska, Quebec have been selected as the sites for this years Canadian Nationals.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jim Orava, Brett Yeates, Keith MacCullough and Nicole MacLearn. These pilots will be representing Canada at the 2009 Paragliding World Championships. View the 2009 World Paragliding team homepage for all news and updates.
Thanks to all those who participated in the AGM and the voting process. The information is still available to see if you are interested. The Board of Directors wish to have as much input from its members as possible to help better the Association. Please email the Board with any of your ideas or thoughts at any time.
Logging in to HPAC - here are some instructions on how to log in to the HPAC web site and the HPAC forum.
CONGRATULATIONS to Jayson Biggins for acquiring his Paragliding Senior Instructor Certification!
CONGRATULATIONS to Steve Milchak and for acquiring his Hang Gliding Senior Instructor Certification!
Changes in Site Insurance Certificate Fees: The Board of Directors have approved the removal of the fee charged to acquire an additional insurance certificate required by landowners in various locations across Canada.
Got An HG/PG Event you want people to know about? Contact the webteam.
For information on the 2008 Canadian National Hang Gliding Championship, visit the information page
CONGRATULATIONS to Jim Orava for acquiring his paragliding Tandem 2 certification!
Domagoj Juretic: The Jamie Christensen went to Judith Newman for her long years of service at HPAC and the Cliff Kakish for Blake Daley who has put in a lot time and technical support for the development of the sport in Atlantic Canada.
CONGRATULATIONS! to Dion Vuk (B.C.) and Keith Mac Cullough (AB) for acquiring their HPAC Senior Instructing status. We wish them a long and safe instructing career.
First PG launch site in Canada with a live ! (right ? ). Jac St. Hilaire, president of Club de Vol Libre de Québec writes: "We are pleased to announce that our new is operational. It shows our southwest launch at Mont Sainte Anne, Québec. Alt. 780 m GPS N47 04.858 W70 56.073..." Click here to have a look.
