Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 1: January 2014 | Page 4

YEARS
of

On December 18, 2013, the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Association began its fortieth year. To comprehend where we stand today and our achievements over the years, history provides perspective.
In 1971, the Southern California Hang Gliding Association was formed by hang gliding
enthusiasts exploring and sharing this new form of aviation. Interest in the early days of freeflight was infectious but with unproven technology, many home-built gliders and little training
available, fatality rates skyrocketed. Fifty-three percent of all the fatalities on record occurred
between 1971 and 1983. As fly-ins or formal competitions were integral from the start, they
provided an observation point during the coming evolution. Improving technology, for better
performance and to preserve the lives of our friends, was a core concern of the pilot community. Competitions became the communal focal point of knowledge as well as the catalyst for
advancement in both technology and safety.
With explosive membership growth and dramatic fatality rates, it quickly became apparent
that a new organization with a national perspective was needed to handle the demands of the
member base and develop training programs for sa fer participation. Membership continued
to grow and on December 18, 1973, the United States Hang Gliding Association launched as
the national association in Los Angeles, California. The first and most important achievement
of the organization was the development of pilot training programs. This crucial foundation
demonstrated our ability to create suitable training and governance for hang gliding. Without
it, it is unlikely we would have had the credibility to attain Part 103 in the Federal Aviation
Regulations, nor our towing and tandem exemptions. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude
to the early pioneers who had the vision to take these vital steps. Since then, two insurance