I have been in the sport for just over a year. I found my way here like many people because of a love of all things that involve wind, including sailing. If I’m not in the air then I’m on the water. I look forwards to the expansion of our association this year and hope that I can be helpful in that progress.
Brad Harris
President President
I've been flying things my whole life. My dad was a fanatical RC model flier so it was inevitable that I'd start there, flying solo at age 10 and was immediately drawn to the challenge of flying gliders, eventually going on to be Australian champion in RC Thermal Gliding in my 20's. As a teen I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to fly full-size fixed wing planes (16-seat twin engine) and helicopters for "work experience" in my school holidays. I have also been heavily into outdoorsy/adventure sports. Paragliding seemed like the ideal combination of outdoor sports and flying. I got my PG licence in early 2020 and have been flying every moment possible since. I'd like to encourage pilots to embrace progress in the sport, through education and mentorship. I'm also passionate about finding new sites and flying XC.
steven Kent
Vice President
1
Luke Thomson
Membership Officer
Paragliding has been a dream for so long. After seeing plenty of Youtube videos, I finally did a tandem while in Bali and loved it, but needed to be in control :) As soon as borders opened I went and got my PG2 and it didn't disappoint. I've had plenty of other hobbies and still do. Snowboarding, diving, enduro motorbiking. But this is one that seems to be taking priority. I'd love to eventually progress towards PG5 and Hike and Fly. But also love the coast for all it has to offer. I feel that this is a sport where you really start to take control of your own progress pretty early on in the piece. Learning from the other pilots as much as possible. There is a wealth of knowledge out there, plenty of it amongst our Tasmanian pilots. So I'm keen to just keep learning as much as I can and keep having fun.
Paul Sciberras
THPA SAFA Representative
I’ve loved mountains, hiking and flying all my life. As a child I would sit on the hill at Stanwell Park and marvel as pilots with their brightly coloured wings would take to the sky. By the age of 18 I was training as a commercial pilot & a career in aviation followed. Covid was the cue to turn dreams into reality, training as a paraglider pilot in Manilla. Since then I have flown at every opportunity. My mission now is to do all I can to support this beautiful community and do whatever I can to share this joy with others.
Steven Hamilton
Novice Pilot Representative
Achieved novice licence in 2011 in Sydney at Stanwell Park. Flew only couple hours at Winton after moving to Tas 2013 and then a 10 year hiatus with no time to pursue. Now looking to re enter the scene and retrain to fly once again. Regained currency in certification April 2024 and working towards intermediate rating. Moyes Malibu 166. Im 54.
Other THPA Volunteers
Brad Harris
Safety Officer - Paragliding
I've been flying things my whole life. My dad was a fanatical RC model flier so it was inevitable that I'd start there, flying solo at age 10 and was immediately drawn to the challenge of flying gliders, eventually going on to be Australian champion in RC Thermal Gliding in my 20's. As a teen I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to fly full-size fixed wing planes (16-seat twin engine) and helicopters for "work experience" in my school holidays. I have also been heavily into outdoorsy/adventure sports. Paragliding seemed like the ideal combination of outdoor sports and flying. I got my PG licence in early 2020 and have been flying every moment possible since. I'd like to encourage pilots to embrace progress in the sport, through education and mentorship. I'm also passionate about finding new sites and flying XC.
steven Kent
Safety Officer - Paragliding
1
Ramon Brasnja
Senior Safety Officer - Paragliding
PG5, VHF, Ground Tow, Speed Wing, Tandem, Instructor, Specific Delegated Authority (SDA) for Check-Flight Assessment, Senior Safety Officer - PG
PG4, VHF, Speed Wing, Specific Delegated Authority (SDA) Mini Wing, THPA AIRS Manager, Safety Officer - PG
Simon Allen
Senior Safety Officer - Paragliding
Mark Harrison
Safety Officer - Hang Gliding
I grew up in southern Tasmania and had dreams of hang gliding from childhood. With aviation running in the blood of the family, I was the first Harrison to venture into free flight, taking up hang gliding 10 years ago. My favourite tassie flying sites are Mt Wellington and Tunbridge, and liken thermal flying to surfing waves in the sky. Outside of flying I love skiing, surf ski paddling, surfing and windsurfing. I have a young family which has made me all the more diligent on my pre-flight checks and balances!
