Paragliding Accuracy

In Paragliding Accuracy there are UK club competitions, a UK National Championships, FAI Cat 2 overseas open competitions, a European Cup series, a World Cup series, FAI Continental (Europe, Africa, Asia-Oceania, Pan America) Championships, FAI World Championships and a World Air Games. There is also a FAI World Points Ranking System (WPRS).

Club competitions usually have league status and are open to all levels of pilots. Entry to the Paragliding Accuracy National Championships is for Club Pilots and above, however, there is a novice category for new club pilots and pilots without ratings. Pilots who have not achieved a Club Pilot rating will need to be accompanied by their own instructor at both the club and national competitions. The teams consist of three pilots at both the club competitions and national championships.

Overseas clubs and national bodies hold open FAI Cat 2 competitions which are usually open to UK pilots of Club Pilot rating and above. The European Cup series consists of competitions in Europe and are generally open to Club pilots and above. The World Cup series consists of competitions all over the world and may have an entry selection process. The Teams for both the European and World Cups consist of four pilots at any one competition who can be selected from a larger pool of pilots who are only allowed to fly for one team in a year. At the end of the year there are trophies for the overall individual and team series winners.

The FAI Continental and World Championships are held on alternate years. These championships are limited to national teams where there is a selection process based on WPRS. Eligible UK Pilots need a BHPA Pilot rating or IPPI4 rating or above. Selection of the UK Team is organised by the BHPA Accuracy Panel and pilots interested in representing their country need to register for the Paragliding Accuracy Squad. As yet there is no set frequency established for when the World Air Games are held, and entry is by FAI invitation only based on the WPRS. Countries which have the most pilots in the top rankings will get more invitations and because of this there is no team event.

UK club competitions and National Championships require two completed rounds to be validated, where as most overseas competitions require only one completed round to be validated and still be eligible for world ranking points. FAI Continental Championships, World Championships and the World Air Games require three completed rounds to be validated and do not count to the British league as they are not open to all British pilots.

The FAI World Points Ranking System (WPRS) is based on points that are gained from FAI category 1 and 2 (Cat 1&2) competitions. Club competitions and National Championships are eligible for Cat 2 status as long as they meet certain criteria and the organiser has registered the event with the FAI. The European and World Cup competitions have to be Cat 2 events. Continental Championships, World Championships and World Air Games have to meet the stricter criteria for Cat 1 status. To enter an FAI event pilots will need to hold an FAI licence that is obtained through the BHPA at a cost of £11. Pilots can still enter club competitions and National Championships without FAI licences, and be eligible for competition awards, but will obviously not get any FAI points. The World Points Ranking are based on factors such as pilot placing, number of pilots, pilot quality and number of rounds at each competition.

If you are interested in paragliding accuracy contact a member of the Accuracy Panel. There is also a BHPA Accuracy facebook group and a BHPA PG Acc Squad.

Useful Links

World pilot ranking scheme- WPRS

FAI website- FAI