Ratings Requirements:
Paraglider flight is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) . The following is a general description of the USHGA ratings, and the accompanying privileges and requirements. For more detail, visit the USHGA web site (link below).

P2 (Novice): A novice paraglider pilot has the knowledge and basic skills necessary to fly and practice without direct instructor supervision, but within significant operating imitations. The pilot understands the USHGA paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations. Logged Requirements: 25 flights; 8 hours ground school; five flying days; 80% score on USHGA exam; demonstration of skill and knowledge.

P3 (Intermediate): An intermediate pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly most sights in mild to moderate soaring conditions, and to judge when the sight and conditions are within the pilot's skill, knowledge, and experience level. The pilot understands the USHGA paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations, and the FAR's and other flying rules applicable to his/her flying (ridge rules, thermal right-of-way, FAR 103, aircraft sectional use and regulated airspace avoidance, etc.). The pilot shall use good judgment and have a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. Logged Requirements: 30 flying days; 90 flights; 20 hours solo airtime; demonstration of skill and knowledge.

P4 (Advanced): An advanced pilot has the knowledge and skills to fly technically demanding sights in strong soaring conditions, and to judge when the sight and conditions are within the pilot's skill, knowledge, and experience level. The pilot understands the USHGA paragliding rating systems and recommended operating limitations, and the FAR's and other flying rules applicable to his/her flying. The pilot will fly with good judgment and have a level of maturity commensurate with the rating. Logged Requirements: 250 flights; 5 flights at each of 5 different sights, of which at least three were inland, in intermediate level conditions; 80 flying days; At least three one-hour flights in thermal lift without sustaining ridge lift. Flights must originate from at least two different sights in intermediate-level conditions; At least one one-hour flight in ridge lift without sustaining thermal lift; 75 hours total airtime, with no more than 25 of these hours to be tandem. Of these 75 hours, 25 must be in thermal lift with no more than 10 of these 25 hours to be in tandem flights; must have flown a minimum of 5 canopies.

T1 (Tandem 1): The USHGA has established a 3-tiered system of requirements for tandem ('two-place' or 'dual') flying: Tandem 1 and Tandem 2 for recreational tandem flying, and Tandem Instructor for instructional tandem flying. USHGA requirements are in addition to those established by the Federal Aviation Administration tandem exemption. A study guide and both flight and written examination requirement information packages are available from the office of the USHGA; specific rating requirements are available on the USHGA web site If you have met the requirements or need help doing so, please contact us for more information.