The IHPA XC League and All Ireland XC League are the official cross country paragliding and hang gliding leagues for IHPA pilots.

The IHPA XC League is the official league for IHPA members (hang gliders and paragliders) logging flights starting in the Republic of Ireland.

• IHPA XC League All Time PG Rankings
• IHPA XC League All Time HG Rankings

The All Ireland XC League is the official league for IHPA and UHPC members (hang gliders and paragliders) logging flights starting anywhere on the Island of Ireland.

• All Ireland XC League All Time PG Rankings
• All Ireland XC League All Time HG Rankings

If you have not already entered your Leonardo profile in the IHPA XC League and All Ireland XC League, we recommend you do so to be included in the leagues. The IHPA undertakes an annual review of the leagues against association membership – Only paid-up members of the IHPA (and UHPC) are included in the leagues.

Since 2020, the IHPA has been managing a bursary scheme for members who are seeking to participate in international competitions. The bursary scheme is intended to provide partial financial aid to pilots participating in recognised FAI Category 2, Category 1 or recognised National competitions.

Given our experiences since establishing the bursary as well as the obvious impact that COVID has had on certainty of competitions taking place, the IHPA committee has revised the rules to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of the annual bursary fund in the most appropriate fashion.

IHPA Competitions Bursary Rules (Revised November 2021):

• • Pilots must be fully paid-up member of the IHPA.
    
  • The bursary is open to Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots in all classes.
    
  • Pilots can submit an application for the bursary to the IHPA Competitions Officer for their discipline (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) at the end of each season, with the annual deadline being December 31st of each calendar year.
    
  • Pilots must submit proof of payment of the competition entry fee (e.g. receipt from competition organisers) and evidence of participation in the competition (e.g. a link to the competition results webpage).
    
  • All applications will be reviewed by the IHPA committee in January of each calendar year for the previous calendar year and successful applications will be announced by the following 1st of February each calendar year.
    
  • The bursary fund in any given year will be made up of a percentage of the IHPA’s surplus account balance from the previous year, defined by the IHPA on an annual basis.
    
  • Pilots can apply for bursary support for multiple competitions in an application year, but will only receive bursary support for one competition per application year.
    
  • The bursary fund will be divided equally between all successful applicants, but will not exceed a limit of €200 per applicant per application year.
    
  • There is no limit on the number of pilots that may apply and be approved to receive bursary funding.
    
  • There is no guaranteed entitlement for the bursary fund and it will be granted at the ultimate discretion of the IHPA committee.
    
  • Pilots receiving sponsorship under the IHPA Competitions Bursary Scheme are required to represent Ireland at the competition(s) for which they are receiving support.
    
  • Pilots are required to make it clear that they are "Sponsored by the Irish Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association" on their competition registration form.
    
  • Pilots are required to adhere to Section 7 of the FAI's Sporting Code and, above all else, shall represent the IHPA's spirit of sportsmanship at all times while preparing for and participating in competitions for which they have received sponsorship.
    

IHPA International Competitions Bursary Application

Dear IHPA Competitions Officers,

I wish to apply for IHPA International Competitions Bursary funding support for the past flying season.

First Name:
Last Name:
IHPA Membership Number:
FAI Sporting License Number:
Discipline (HG / PG):
Competition Name and Location:
Date of Competition:
Evidence of Payment of Competition Entry Fee:
Evidence of Competition Participation:

I confirm that I have read and agree to abide by the IHPA International Competitions Bursary Rules.

Sincerely,

________________________
Pilot's Name

Click here to submit an application here to submit an application here to submit an application here to submit an application

Download application form here

Pilots wishing to compete abroad in FAI sanctioned competitions or who wish to attempt a recognised world record must first apply for an FAI Sporting Licence. The FAI has implemented a mandatory international licence for all Catagory 1 & 2 competitions - the FAI Sporting Licence. Category 1 or 2 competitions are truly international when the pilots who participate officially represent their country. To be sure that the participants do represent a country, the FAI entrusts the National Aero Club of Ireland (NACI) to issue an international licence called the Sporting Licence. Pilots must show this Licence when they enter a competition. The NACI will issue a Sporting Licence to members of its affiliated associations (fully paid members of the IHPA) if proof of membership of the IHPA and confirmation that the applicant is either a citizen or resident of Ireland (North or South) is given. The precise regulation concerning the Sporting Licence can be found in the General Section of FAI Sporting Code, Chapter 8. Note, however, that a pilot cannot hold a Sporting Licence issued by more than one NAC at the same time.

2018 Update: Please note that pilots wishing to renew an existing 5-year FAI Sporting License card are now required to fill in a fresh application form (use the link above) and return it (and the €10 fee) to the IThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for counter-signing before it can be submitted to the National Aero Club of Ireland for processing. This is an FAI requirement, not an IHPA/NACI one. You may pay the €10 fee using cash or a cheque made payable to the National Aero Club of Ireland.

Change of Country of Representation

If a pilot wants to fly for another country he will have to be issued a Sporting Licence by his new NAC only after notifying the NACI via the IHPA. He will also have to observe a two calendar years delay without flying in any Category 1 competition. Only then he can switch his or her allegiance. However he can fly in Category 2 competitions during those two years.

Eligibility

Only pilots who hold, or are entitled to hold an Irish passport, or are deemed to be 'normally resident' within the State may apply for a Sporting Licence through the IHPA/ NACI. The term 'normally resident' is defined by FAI/CIVL to mean that the pilot lives in Ireland for a minimum of 185 days in the year for personal or occupational reasons.

Note: In a recent development, FAI/CIVL has ruled that the Sporting Licences may be issued, through the IHPA and NACI, to residents of Northern Ireland if those pilots wish to represent Ireland rather than the UK. The same residency criteria apply.

Download the application form using the link at the top of this page, print it out and fill in the form. You will need to return it to the IHPA Training & Flight Safety Officer for verification and counter signing along with two passport photographs (signed on the back) and a €10 fee payable to The National Aero Club of Ireland.

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