Join FFSA

Free Flight South Africa is being built for pilots, instructors, schools, clubs, and supporters who want a practical, well-run home for free-flight aviation in South Africa.

Our focus is paragliding, hang gliding, powered paragliding, and related free-flight disciplines. Membership gives pilots a clear way to participate through an approved aviation recreation structure, with access to administration, safety guidance, member support, communication, and relevant FFSA processes.

Why membership matters

Paraglider and Hang glider pilots in South Africa operate within the Civil Aviation Regulations. Part 94 requires recreational aviation operations to take place under the applicable Aviation Recreation Organisation framework.

In practical terms, this means that pilots do not operate in isolation. They fly within a recognised peer-supervision system that provides oversight, standards, procedures, safety expectations, and a link between the free-flight community and the aviation regulator.

FFSA exists to make that system clearer, simpler, and more useful for pilots.

Experienced leadership

FFSA is a new organisation, but it is being built by people with many years of practical experience in aviation governance, safety administration, member support, and the leadership of an approved Aviation Recreation Organisation.

That experience matters. FFSA is not being created from theory or frustration, but from a clear understanding of what pilots, instructors, schools, clubs, regulators, and volunteers need from a credible aviation body.

Our aim is to build an organisation that is calm, fair, well-governed, and easy to work with.

Who can join?

FFSA membership is open to people and organisations involved in free-flight aviation, including paraglider pilots, hang glider pilots, powered paraglider pilots, instructors, students and visiting foreign pilots.

Membership may be subject to the applicable FFSA rules, safety requirements, approval process, and any category-specific conditions.

Membership categories and fees

FFSA offers different membership categories depending on your role in the sport and your level of participation.

How membership works

Membership is activated once the application process has been completed, the applicable fee has been paid, and the application has been approved.

Members are expected to keep their details up to date, comply with applicable FFSA rules and safety requirements, and conduct themselves in a manner that supports safe and responsible participation in the sport.

Schools, clubs, and instructors

Schools, clubs, and instructors play a central role in developing and supporting free-flight aviation. FFSA aims to make it easier for them to manage participation, support pilots, and operate within a clear and practical framework.

Sport Development Levy

Part of each membership fee is allocated to the FFSA Sport Development Levy.

The Sport Development Levy is a practical way to fund work that benefits the wider free-flight community, not only individual members. It allows FFSA to build and protect the sport over time by setting aside money for specific development purposes.

The levy is divided into four development funds:

• Site Access Fund – for environmental assessments, site access work, site development costs, and related matters that help protect and improve flying sites.
• Legal and Regulatory Fund – for regulatory development, legal advice, policy work, and legal costs where these are needed to protect or advance free-flight aviation.
• Competition Fund – for competition-related development, support, and initiatives that help grow organised free-flight competition.
• Safety Fund – for safety development, accident investigation capability, safety education, and contributions to appropriate safety organisations and initiatives.

The default allocation is 25% to each fund. Each year, the FFSA Committee may adjust the allocation between the four funds based on current priorities, risks, and opportunities for the sport.

This allows FFSA to respond sensibly to changing needs. In one year, site access may need more support. In another year, regulatory work, safety development, or competition support may require greater focus.

The purpose of the levy is simple: to make sure that a portion of membership income is deliberately invested back into the long-term health, safety, access, and development of free-flight aviation in South Africa.

Joining FFSA

To join FFSA, complete the membership application process and select the membership category that applies to you.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive confirmation of your membership and access to the relevant member information and services.

FFSA’s goal is simple: support the people who fly, teach, organise, and grow free-flight aviation in South Africa.