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United States

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: United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) (opens in a new tab)

Visiting pilots

  • Visitors can join USHPA with a temporary 10-day membership, which includes the liability insurance most landowners require.
  • Without a USHPA rating, carry your home-country rating documents and a valid IPPI card. Chapters that manage sites set minimum ratings.

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

United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA): current rules for visiting pilots (opens in a new tab)

Learning to fly

  • Start with a USHPA-certified instructor, who activates a 60-day Student membership or provides a temporary 10-day membership.
  • USHPA student pilots must be at least 14, and 16 to gain solo ratings.
  • USHPA ratings run from level 1 (beginner) to 5 (master) for each wing type, and need minimum flights, hours and written tests.

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) · source 4 (opens in a new tab) · source 5 (opens in a new tab) · source 6 (opens in a new tab)

Visiting United States: 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