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South Africa

A short overview: how flying works here, where the sites are, and where to find more. Check with the national body or a local club or school before flying.

Overview

How flying works here

National body: South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) (opens in a new tab)

Visiting pilots

  • All pilots, including visitors, must be SAHPA members. A 3- or 6-month Foreign Pilot Membership includes third-party liability insurance.
  • Visitors need an IPPI 4 card or higher; IPPI 3 or below must fly under an approved school.

A short summary, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the current requirements with South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) before you fly. Summary checked 13 Oct 2026.

South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA): current rules for visiting pilots (opens in a new tab)

Learning to fly

  • New pilots must complete a training programme with an approved school before getting a SAHPA National Pilot's Licence.
  • Schools operate under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations; SAHPA keeps a schools directory but advises checking a school's approval with the CAA.
  • For an introductory tandem flight, SAHPA offers a one-day Temporary Student membership.

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against official sources: source 1 (opens in a new tab) · source 2 (opens in a new tab) · source 3 (opens in a new tab)

Visiting South Africa: help on the ground and flying tours

Information only. Forecast direction is compared with each site's published wind range; speeds are shown but not judged. Always check the official site guide, the administering club and conditions on the day. You are responsible for your decision to fly.

Map

Sites listed by ParaglidingEarth's contributors. Ask a local club or school about each one before flying there.

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Sites

Community site data: © ParaglidingEarth contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0 / ODbL 1.0) · checked 13 Oct 2026