About ACTHPA

The ACT Hang gliding and Paragliding Association (ACTHPA) is the club for all hang gliders, paragliders and their motorised forms in the region. The region is excellent for carbon-free flying and there are some great areas for motorised flight as well. We have many excellent sites, local paragliding instructors and an active pilot community. We maintain a number of launch sites, and wind talkers in the local area to help in deciding when and where to fly.

Flying in Canberra

If it is ‘on’ then you can pretty much guarantee that someone will be out flying. If you are planning to go for a fly at one of our sites, please post a message on our Telegram group so you can meet up with others. The wind talkers provide current wind speed and direction and records this information for the previous 12 hours. The weather resources page links to useful weather information.

If you are a visiting pilot, remember to contact one of the locals (best done through our Telegram group) prior to flying any site.

Learn to Fly

If you’re interested in learning to fly, take a look at the SAFA Schools page, and you could also join our Facebook group or come along to a club meeting to ask for recommendations.

Club Meetings

Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Weston Creek Labor Club, COVID-willing.

Recent Flights Around Canberra

These are just a few of the recent flights by club members in the ACT region.

NameSiteAircraftModelDistanceDate
Shamsher KatochLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 61.75km2024-12-05
Reza SayyahLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 62.05km2024-12-05
Shamsher KatochLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 61.71km2024-12-05
Paul ShipleySpring HillParagliderNova Mentor 5 Light2.67km2024-11-29
Elliot RedmondLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 514.36km2024-11-29
Daniel ThuillierLake GeorgeParagliderOzone Zeno 219.09km2024-11-29
Reza SayyahLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 61.99km2024-11-25
Ralph WeatherburnSpring HillParagliderNiviuk Hook 53.05km2024-11-24
Anthony BenjaminHoneysuckleParagliderOzone Rush 528.00km2024-11-23
Jeremy KingstonHoneysuckleParagliderPhi Beat. Light7.48km2024-11-23
Alex Chapman?ParagliderBgd Cure 26.75km2024-11-23
Ralph WeatherburnSpring HillParagliderNiviuk Hook 54.12km2024-11-23
Reza SayyahSpring HillParagliderNiviuk Hook 63.19km2024-11-23
Ralph WeatherburnSpring HillParagliderNiviuk Hook 52.06km2024-11-22
Ken CroweLake GeorgeParagliderBgd Base 22.65km2024-11-21
Reza SayyahLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 62.35km2024-11-19
Reza SayyahLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 62.89km2024-11-19
Reza SayyahLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Hook 62.08km2024-11-11
John ChapmanCanberra, Spring Ran... - AUParagliderBgd Punk25.70km2021-11-17
Ken CroweCanberra, Lake Georg... - AUParagliderSwing Arcus 78.70km2020-11-21

Longest Flights in the Canberra Region

These are some of the longest cross-country flights recorded in the Canberra region. Also see the site records page for records broken down by site and wing category.

NameSiteAircraftModelDistanceDate
Dave MayLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang Glider318.60km2010-02-01
Trent BrownLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rs3.5195.40km2011-01-28
Igor LikhosherstovBowningParagliderNiviuk Peak 3188.80km2013-11-30
Alex ChapmanCollectorParagliderNova Mentor 4188.18km2020-01-19
Rafael EsquillaroLake GeorgeParagliderNiviuk Icepeak 7 Pro183.23km2017-01-04
Daniel ThuillierHoneysuckleParagliderAirdesign Rise 4165.71km2020-12-10
Trent BrownBinalong - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rs3.5164.70km2009-12-12
Rene SedlmLake George Nth Laun... - AUParagliderAdvance Sigma 10162.00km2018-02-04
Lukas VymetalBowningParagliderAxis Venus 3158.07km2013-11-30
Trent BrownCanberra, Pig Hill... - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rs3.5153.10km2012-01-28
Trent BrownCanberra, Spring Ran... - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rx3.5152.80km2012-11-04
Trent BrownLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rs3.5137.30km2011-12-15
Trent BrownLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang GliderMoyes Litespeed Rs3.5135.30km2012-03-18
Igor LikhosherstovBowningParagliderNiviuk Peak 3131.27km2015-03-15
Lukas VymetalBowningParagliderAxis Venus 3127.53km2013-12-01
Dave MayLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang Glider126.40km2010-03-11
Andrew LutonLake George Nth Laun... - AUHang GliderAirborne C4 13.5125.60km2013-11-17
Dave MayCanberra, Lake Georg... - AUHang GliderMoyes Rs4125.60km2010-12-05
Trent BrownCanberra, Pig Hill... - AUHang GliderAirborne Airborne C4 13.5125.10km2009-03-01
Alex ChapmanCollectorParagliderBgd Cure 2122.98km2023-01-21

Not the New Zealand Open 2022

Not The New Zealand Paragliding Open took place in February, with six Canberra pilots competing.

Not the New Zealand Open 2022

Flow Corryong Paragliding Open 2022

The Corryong Paragliding Open took place in February, with six Canberra pilots competing.

Flow Corryong Paragliding Open 2022

Bright Open 2022

For five days in early February the sky around the mountain town of Bright in country Victoria was filled with 80 paraglider pilots competing in the annual Bright Open.

Bright Open 2022

ACTHPA Turnpoint Challenge 2021/22

The 2021/22 turnpoint challenge ran from 1 November 2021 until 31 August 2022.

ACTHPA Turnpoint Challenge 2021/22

Corryong PG Open 2021

The Corryong Paragliding Open took place in February, with nine Canberra pilots competing.

Corryong PG Open 2021

Bright Open 2021

The Bright Open was held early February. Eight Canberra pilots competed in three tasks.

Bright Open 2021

Radio Policy Change

We have switched our standard frequency to SAFA1

Radio Policy Change

November Club Meeting / Fly In

Our previous club meeting / fly-in was on Sunday November 15 at Spring Hill.

November Club Meeting / Fly In

Jonathan Bishop and Sam Rybak fly over 100km from Collector to Murringo

On Saturday 7 November Jono and Sam launched their paragliders from Collector and flew together for over 100km, past Boorowa, finally landing near Murringo.

Jonathan Bishop and Sam Rybak fly over 100km from Collector to Murringo

Tips for Flying Cross-Country from Collector

Alex Chapman gives us some tips for flying XC from the site just north of Canberra, at the northern end of Lake George.

Tips for Flying Cross-Country from Collector

October AGM / Fly In

We held our AGM on Saturday October 3rd at Spring Hill.

October AGM / Fly In

ACTHPA Turnpoint Challenge 2020

Our first annual turnpoint challenge will run from 1 October 2020 until 31 August 2021.

ACTHPA Turnpoint Challenge 2020

September Club Meeting / Fly In

Spring Hill turned on some great flying weather for our first combined club meeting and fly-in on Saturday September 5.

September Club Meeting / Fly In

September Turnpoint Challenge

We held a trial turnpoint challenge during September.

September Turnpoint Challenge

Parachute Repack Night

The parachute repack night was held on Friday September 4.

Parachute Repack Night

2020 Corryong Easter Club Fly-in

The club trip to Corryong over the Easter long weekend has been cancelled.

2020 Corryong Easter Club Fly-in

Paragliding State of Origin

The Paragliding State of Origin has unfortunately been cancelled this year due to unforeseen pandemic.

Paragliding State of Origin

March Club Meeting

Our previous club meeting was held on Tuesday 3 March at 7:30pm at the Weston Creek Labor Club. After our regular meeting we discussed ‘The Life Cycle of a Paraglider Pilot’.

March Club Meeting

Corryong PG Open 2020

The Corryong Paragliding Open took place in late February, with six Canberra pilots competing: Kari Ellis (3rd overall, 1st woman), Johno Quinn (1st in reynolds class), Cameron Lawrence, Alistair Dickie (2nd in fun class), Phil Robinson, and Alex Chapman.

Corryong PG Open 2020

Bright Open 2020

The Bright Open was held in early February. Three Canberra pilots competed.

Bright Open 2020

Novice Experiences at the Manilla XC Camp

Alex Boiko reflects on his trip to the Manilla XC Camp as a novice pilot this year.

Novice Experiences at the Manilla XC Camp

February Club Meeting

Our last club meeting was on Tuesday 4 February at 7:30pm at the Weston Creek Labor Club.

February Club Meeting

Manilla XC Camp 2020

Grum, Alex B and others took part in the 2020 Manilla XC Camp

Manilla XC Camp 2020

How Not to Throw Your Reserve

Phil Lyng gave us a presentation on reserve parachutes (MS PowerPoint) at a recent club meeting.

Kari Ellis 3rd in World Championships

Canberra pilot Kari Ellis secured third place in the women’s category of the Paragliding World Championships held in Krushevo, Macedonia. She came 65th overall, racing the world’s best pilots over ten cross-country tasks of between 63km and 130km. Read all about her experience here.

Kari Ellis 3rd in World Championships

Racing at the Paragliding World Championships 2019

Kari Ellis gives us a detailed breakdown of what it was like to fly in the world paragliding championships in Krushevo, Macedonia in 2019.

Racing at the Paragliding World Championships 2019

A Few Things about AIRSPACE

Phil Lyng gave us a presentation on Airspace (MS PowerPoint) at the February 2020 club meeting.

Flying in Canberra - a few tips

Barry Oliver gives us a guide to deciding where and when to fly, and how to fly Lake George in particular.

HOW TO THWART AN EAGLE ATTACKING

Wes Kilham gives us some sage advice on avoiding this common peril.