THPA Information For Visiting Pilots

The THPA warmly welcomes all pilots holding a current SAFA membership to Tasmania. We believe that new pilots bring new perspectives, skills and knowledge of our sport - and it’s good fun to have new faces around too!
International pilots who are not yet holding a SAFA membership must do so before being legally able to fly anywhere in Australia. SAFA membership can be sought here: https://www.safa.asn.au/visiting-international-pilots
We aim to keep flying in Tasmania as carefree as possible, we do however require all visiting pilots to join the THPA to fly our sites. You will gain access to almost 30 sites, plus National Parks.

Membership involves a small fee but comes with a great deal of benefits.

ACCESS TO PRIVATE SITES-
The majority of the flying sites in Tasmania exist upon private land and are only retained through personal relationships with the landowners and managers. We endeavour to thank our landowners with gifts from time to time, and as the budget allows.
We have negotiated access agreements with land managers for THPA member access - not for general public access. 
Some of our sites require contact with land managers the day before flying, and they do not wish for their contact details to be made public outside the assigned THPA contact people.

ACCESS TO COUNCIL SITES-
Of our regularly flown sites only 2 are on public land – and we still actively manage those sites to ensure continued access. Single Hill, our most flown site in the south of the state, is subject to a strict "flight instrument" – an agreement with CASA that requires every pilot flying to be inducted, and to sign paperwork that is recorded for the instrument.

ACCESS TO NATIONAL PARKS- 
Tasmania is the only state in Australia where unpowered flying in Parks is allowed. This includes National Parks, Reserve Land and beaches. Access has been hard to achieve and is easy to lose, so we insist that you familiarise yourself with the requirements. Non-THPA members cannot legally fly in Parks. Details on the Documents page (in members-only area) of this website.

WEATHER-
Membership fees assist with the maintenance, data plans and expansion of the THPA owned weather station network.

COMMUNITY-
THPA Membership connects you with the local flying community. You can join the South, North or West flying chats on WhatsApp to see where flying is happening, and organise lifts and retrieves.

* Sites may be closed with no notice outside of the THPA member area. Membership ensures access to current information.

* Tasmania has no further site fees or club level memberships – joining the THPA is the only membership or fee requirement to fly in Tasmania.

Membership Periods & Pricing

* Memberships for visiting pilots are offered on the following basis:

* 2 weeks $20

* 1 year $35

You can sign up using the join link at the top right of the screen. Once we have received your membership request, we will manually activate your access to the member portal. You will then be able to login and will be provided with additional information via email as well. The payment option should appear at once you click "submit" on your application. If it doesn't on your particular platform, please contact luke.thomson@thpa.org.au to arrange payment.

From July 19 2022 - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE restrictions 

FMD outbreaks are occurring in some overseas countries, including Indonesia, Nepal and South America. Pilots returning from these areas should follow decontamination guidelines and SHOULD VOLUNTARILY NOT FLY in Australia, and especially at any THPA sites, for 2 WEEKS on return to virtually eliminate the chance of contamination. If you wish to fly before 2 weeks has elapsed we insist you contact the landowner where you intend to fly and let them decide if the steps you've taken are adequate.

Current practices are:
- Take footwear that you are prepared to leave behind when returning to Australia.
- Wash all clothes with a 4% Acetic Acid solution (which seems to be the only practical treatment that works effectively with paragliding-type gear) . Household vinegar is suitable. https://www.uvm.edu/.files/media/fmd_disinfectants.pdf
- Any paragliding gear that has been used in those countries, especially in rural areas, should be washed if possible, or at minimum left unpacked inside to air in a warm dry place for at least 7 days.

The risk is too great to justify when we are only participating in an activity that is just for our pleasure. Please be respectful of the farmers who so generously allow us to fly on their land.