The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today published The Paramotor Code. This is intended for paramotor pilots as a guide to safe practice and includes details on aviation regulations.
Paramotor flying in the UK does not require a formal licence, however a paramotor is legally considered an aircraft and therefore subject to certain aviation regulations. The Paramotor Code highlights the key points to be aware of and details how to find out more information and where.
Paramotors and powered hang gliders are classified as a category of non-Part-21 gliders in the Air Navigation Order 2016 (ANO), and as such non-public transport activities are unregulated with respect to registration, airworthiness and pilot licensing.
Michael MacDonald, Co-Head of General Aviation and RPAS Unit at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“Although flying a paramotor or powered hang glider does not require a pilot licence or any form of airworthiness certification, pilots must comply with rules of the air such as keeping above the minimum heights/distances from people and property, taking off/landing well clear of congested areas and not operating in controlled airspace.
"We have published The Paramotor Code in cooperation with the paramotoring community to guide pilots on these requirements.”
Before attempting to fly a paramotor, it is strongly recommended to undertake formal training from a suitable instructor.
We would like to thank the British Hang gliding and Paragliding Association for their support in the production of this guide.
To support paramotor pilots we have launched a new SkyWise category, Hang gliding and Paragliding, to help pilots keep up to date with the latest CAA aviation news, safety alerts, consultations, rule changes, airspace amendments and more. Register for at CAA SkyWise | Civil Aviation Authority
NOTES TO EDITOR
- The UK Civil Aviation Authority is the UK’s aviation regulator. We work so that the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards and consumers have choice, value for money, are protected and treated fairly when they fly.
- The Paramotor Code
- For further information on Paramotors and powered hang gliding please see our website; Paramotors and powered hang gliders | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
- For further information on aviation rules and regulations, refer to the Skyway Code, available at caa.co.uk/skywaycode
- Information on General Aviation Regulations may be found at caa.co.uk/ga
- British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (bhpa.co.uk)
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