Paragliding Standards Quiz
Check your knowledge of FAI/CIVL, SafePro Para, the IPPI Card, national systems and wing classification. The test has 25 active questions.
25 questions5 errors allowed60 min
XacademyBeginner
Training Principles
Explore FAI/CIVL, SafePro Para and the IPPI Card.
5 modulesCertificate
What You'll Learn
- Distinguish FAI/CIVL’s role, national rules, and APPI’s separate training system.
- Describe the five main SafePro Para stages and the purpose of gradual progression.
- Explain what the IPPI Card records and why it is not automatic permission to fly.
- Compare national training systems by their ratings and local requirements.
- Distinguish EN 926-1 wing strength, EN 926-2 flight characteristics, and EN 1651 harness standards.
- Assess pilot responsibilities involving proficiency, weather, local rules, and equipment.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- No prior flying experience is required; the course is open to beginners.
- You need to read the materials and take the quiz in your selected language.
Other
- Internet access is needed for the online materials and final quiz.
Description
This online theory course explains how international paragliding training frameworks relate to national rules. It is designed for newcomers and active pilots who want a clearer view of the systems behind training and proficiency.
Across five modules, you will examine FAI/CIVL, the five main SafePro Para stages, the purpose of the IPPI Card, APPI’s separate training system, and relevant EN equipment standards. The course contains 20 lessons, five reading materials, and a final quiz.
Completion records your study of theory. It does not grant a pilot rating or permission to fly and does not replace practical instruction. Check local requirements and complete appropriate practical training before flying.
Course Curriculum
5 modules 20 lessons
FAI: History and RoleFree
CIVL — FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission
FAI Sporting Code: Section 7
FAI Competition Categories and WPRS Rankings
Theory Materials
01FAI and CIVL in Paragliding
Learn where CIVL competition rules apply, what SafePro Para describes, how IPPI is used and what EN 926 tests on a paraglider wing.
02SafePro Para: Five Stages and the IPPI Card
CIVL’s recommended five-stage framework, from ground skimming to senior pilot, and its relationship to the proficiency recorded on an IPPI Card.
03The IPPI Card — International Pilot Proficiency Information
The IPPI Card helps compare national ratings and records a SafePro Para stage. It accompanies a current national card and does not replace permission to fly.
04Applying International Training Frameworks
A comparison of the roles of FAI/CIVL, SafePro Para, IPPI and APPI, alongside national training systems and EN 926 wing classification.
05APPI Qualifications: Purpose and Recognition
An overview of APPI’s internal ratings and digital records. Check their recognition and flying requirements with the local authority before travelling.
Test Your Knowledge
Start Quiz
Who Is This Course For
- Newcomers who want to understand the international framework before practical training.
- Active pilots who want to understand how proficiency is described abroad and what local rules require.
- Aspiring and current instructors interested in comparing training systems.
Instructors
Loading instructors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FAI, and what does it do in paragliding?
FAI is the international federation for air sports. Its free-flight commission, CIVL, develops competition rules for paragliding and hang gliding and training guidance such as SafePro Para. National and local authorities determine pilot qualifications and flying requirements.
What is SafePro Para, and how many main stages does it have?
SafePro Para is FAI/CIVL’s recommended framework for gradual pilot development. Its five main stages are Ground Skimming, Altitude Gliding, Active Flying, Soaring, and Senior Pilot. The framework helps compare national training systems; the relevant organisation awards an actual rating.
What is the IPPI Card used for?
The IPPI Card presents a pilot’s national rating in an internationally understood format, making it easier to show proficiency abroad. It is used alongside a valid national document. The card is not itself a licence, insurance, or permission to fly at a particular site; check local rules before travelling.
How do EN-A, EN-B, EN-C, and EN-D paraglider classes differ?
Under EN 926-2, classes A–D describe tested flight and recovery characteristics. A is generally more forgiving, D demands greater skill and active control, and B and C lie between them. EN 926-1 addresses wing strength. A class is neither a safety guarantee nor a pilot rating; choose a wing with qualified guidance and the manufacturer’s advice.
What are the BHPA and DHV training systems?
BHPA is a UK free-flight association, while DHV is a German one. Each has its own training stages and assessment requirements. Comparing their ratings with one another or with SafePro Para can be useful, but a rating in one system does not automatically authorise flying in another country.
Can I fly after completing this course?
Not on the basis of this course alone. It is theoretical and includes no practical flight training. To fly, you need appropriate hands-on instruction with a qualified instructor and must meet the rules of the country and site where you plan to fly.
How long is the course, and what does it include?
The course includes 5 modules, 20 theory lessons, 4 reading materials, and a final quiz. The estimated duration is 10 hours, and you can study at your own pace. Practical flights are not included.
Will I receive a course completion certificate?
After completing the learning programme and passing the final quiz, you can obtain a certificate for completing this theory course on the platform. It is not a pilot licence, an IPPI Card, or an APPI rating, and it does not authorise you to fly.