ESTC meeting 2010 minutes (english)

EUROPEAN HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING UNION
European Safety and Training Committee
Minutes of the meeting held 3rd/4th July 2010 at Cornizzolo,

Members present: Representing

Miroslav Fejt LAA CR Czech Republic
Marion Varner FFVL France
Joel Yout ENSA France
Karl Slezak DHV Germany
Laszlo Szollosi HFFA Hungary
Rodolfo Saccani FIVL Italy
Arne Hillestadt HP/NFL Norway
Martin Kinzl SHV Switzerland
Marius Furrer SHV Switzerland
Dave Thompson BHPA United Kingdom
John Lovell, BHPA. Chairman ESTC United Kingdom

Visitors
Arnaud Pinguet ENSA France
Sylvain Orthleib ENSA France

The Chairman welcomed visitors Arnaud Pinguet and Sylvain Orthlieb
from ENSA, the Ecole Nationale de Ski et Alpinisme of France.

TRAINING

1. INSTRUCTOR TRAINING STANDARDS

Marion reiterated that there was pressure from the French Government regarding Skill levels of Instructors accompanying pilots from foreign Countries. The General system for the recognition of qualifications is laid down by the directive 2005/36/EC.
This issue has been brought about by concerns raised by the Safety Organiser in Annecy regarding doubts about the skills level of visiting groups led by foreign instructors running SIV courses.
It was for this reason that Arnaud Pinguet, who represents the French Government, had been invited by Marion to address the meeting. (cf. Arnaud “general information concerning the systems for the recognition of qualifications and for the equivalence of diplomas.)
Arnaud pointed out that that they had no intention to raise obstacles in their territory, the aim being to facilitate the access to, and the exercise of, a regulated profession within the framework of the French Regulations established in the “Code du Sport”
In France, the EC directive is incorporated into the “Code du Sport” which governs Sports Instructors. The Code du Sport requires an Obligation of Qualification and an Authorisation of
Practising Professionals.
These provisions apply to all professionals operating under the regimes of Free Provision of Services, or Free Establishment regardless of Nationality.

a) Obligation of Qualification.

In French law, the professional has to be qualified. The level of qualification is checked by the French Administration. Therefore it would be very useful to standardise this level within the EU in order to facilitate qualification recognition.
Joel undertook to co-ordinate information from member Countries and will establish a website,
(maybe on the EHPU website), for all suggestions. Marion suggested that there should be a base level and an EHPU professional level stating minimum required standards.
The stated objective is to obtain an international standard of European Instructor Training Qualification which would be legal everywhere. As a first step Joel would like to collect the Instructor Training format from each member Nation by the end of September. This should contain at least, the minimum FAI level to join a training course, certificated competence on completion of the course, hourly volume of main teaching, validity, etc. etc.......
Marion said that our committee should organise a plan to be approved by all National Authorities.
Arnaud and Joel said that if we belong to the EU we should be able to move freely on the basis of the above Standard.

b) Authorisation of Practising Professionals.

Arnaud and Joel explained that this is justified by an imperative requirement in the general public interest, and the issue of these authorisations allows Administration to check the credibility of instructors. They will have to be obtained from the Administration of the particular Department where you intend to work.
There will be two types; a Professional Card under the Regime of Free Establishment if you stay throughout the year, and an Attestation of Declaration of Provision of Services under the Regime of Free Provision of Services if you stay just a few weeks per year, (the latter will require fewer documents than the Professional Card.) Among these documents will be proof of insurance covering Civil Liability of the establishment, the workers, and the pupils.
However it should be noted that the two types of Authorisation have more or less the same requirements as safety is the same important feature of both activities.

So to summarise, to work in France, you have to declare (preferably two months in advance), to the Prefecture in the Department when and where you intend to operate, using the correct forms:(Free Provision of Service, Free Establishment or Refresh form.)
These forms will be circulated by Joel but will probably be in French. A translation will be proposed.

However, if the pilots are qualified and only being guided by a more experienced pilot, then none of the above applies, BUT, they can expect to be watched to ensure there is no question of payment or instruction. If there is then the rules apply.

SIV TRAINING

EUROPEAN ACCIDENT DATABASE

Dave Thompson will continue to liaise with Rodolfo Saccani Saccani regarding the following issues:

a) Add to Description Flight Phase a specific manoeuvre code for unusual manoeuvres,
i.e (collapses and other manoeuvres induced by the pilot for simulation or other purposes).
Currently there is no distinction between these manoeuvres and aerobatics.

b) Add two new Yes/No fields (one for pilot and one for passenger) to record permanent
disabilities caused by accident injuries

c) Add new code and field to Description/Initial/Abnormal Flight Condition to report on
twisted risers.

Hungary will also liaise with Dave regarding the input of their data.

PILOT SURVEY

The following information is reported:

Belgium 1150 pilots
Czech Republic 2800 pilots 170,000 hours
Denmark 500 pilots
France 21,500 pilots 770,190 hours
Germany 25,000 pilots 250,000 hours
Hungary 1700 pilots 50,500 hours
Italy 10000 pilots 350,000 hours
Switzerland 14000 pilots Between 250,000 and 350,000 hours
Sweden 1700 pilots
United Kingdom 6,627 pilots 190,000 hours

2. HUNGARIAN PROBLEM

Laszlo reported that HFFA are encountering problems regarding instruction and examination created by the Hungarian Authorities. They say that teaching is not allowed and that pilots therefore need no formal training. As a result people continue to fly with no formal tuition, which has resulted in more than seven fatal accidents.
In addition they must have a medical examination as if they were Commercial Airline Pilots.

This Committee has taken note that in Hungary no instruction or examination of participants in Free Flying is permitted.
We believe that formal training is the first essential before anyone is allowed to fly, in order to achieve safety within our sport.
Also a simple Certificate of Fitness similar to that required for a driving licence is considered to be adequate to fly paragliders and hang gliders.

In order to promote this cause the 2011 ESTC meeting will take place in Hungary.

SAFETY

1. PILOT SURVEY

The following information is reported:
Belgium 1150 pilots (no change reported)
Czech Republic 3500 pilots 170,000 hours
Denmark 500 pilots (no change reported)
France 36,000 participants, comprising:
58% Paragliding
36% Kiting
3% Delta
1% Speed riding
Germany 34,000 pilots 250,000 hours
Hungary 1,064 pilots 50,000 hours NOTE: Registered pilots.
1,000 pilots NOT registered
Italy 10,000 pilots 350,000 hours
Norway 1,700 pilots 25,000 hours
Switzerland 14,000 pilots Between 250,000 and 350,000 hours
Sweden 1,700 pilots (no change reported)
United Kingdom 6,500 pilots 190,000 hours

2. EQUIPMENT

The Chairman introduced this subject by reminding members that Working Group 6 has the responsibility of dealing with matters relating to Glider Certification and Testing.
Rodolfo Saccani raised the subject of Paraglider line strength test specifications, where it appears that the
manufacturers in general use upper lines much stronger than the test requirement. However in Italy
they have statistics showing line failure at loads far greater than the normal test load.
He presented files detailing their findings, and these have been forwarded to Angus Pinkerton,
the UK delegate on WG6 so that he can raise the issue at their forthcoming meeting.

3. FLYING PRACTISES

The subject of overtaking when flying along a ridge was discussed.

In Hungary this is forbidden.
In Switzerland this is forbidden.
In France this is forbidden.
In Germany there is no ridge protocol.
In Norway overtaking is permitted. The one overtaking must give way.
In Italy the one overtaking has right of way. (i.e. exactly opposite to the Norwegian rule.)
In Czech Republic overtaking must be done on the outside of the slope.
In UK overtaking should be done on the ridge side.(i.e. exactly opposite to the Czech rule.)

Italy, France and the UK have stated their intention to review this issue.

4. SPEED FLYING

The chairman asked the meeting to clarify the definitions of the range of activities covered
within this genre. Although there seems to be some confusion, not least among the participants,
the general definitions seem to be:

Speed Riding: The use of ultra-small para wings between around 7-10 sq.metres. These have a wing loading between 6-10 Kg/sq.metre . They are used over snow and launched using skis.
Note: These wings are not certified.

Speed Flying: The use of small paraglider wings, 12,14,16 sq.metres, foot launched. They are
usually used for fast and low ground clearance descents.
Also in this category are “Mini wings”. These are paragliders between 16-20 sq. Metres.
They are generally used to permit flying in winds that would be otherwise too strong.
Note: These wings are usually load tested only and have no flight test certification.
Speed Gliding: This category covers the use of hang gliders, over snow and ski launched.

Across the range of these 3 activities:-

AUSTRIA It is not legal here.

BELGIUM It is acceptable to their Insurance Provider, but wings must be
15 sq.metres or more.

CZECH REPUBLIC It is not an authorised activity here, but there have been 3 recent fatalities.

GERMANY It is not considered flying as it is limited to 30 metres a.g.l.
It is regulated by a separate body:- The German Speed Gliding Federation.

ITALY The law recognizes it as paragliding. There are very few practitioners

NORWAY Speed Gliding and Speed flying as defined above is regulated in Norway.
To obtain a licence you need IPPI 3 level or be a parachutist with over
300 jumps. The size of paraglider is dependent on the number of jumps.
These must be followed by training with a qualified instructor and pass a
theoretical test.

SWITZERLAND A special FSVL licence is required following a course with a qualified
Speed Flying Instructor, who must be tested every year. There 450
licenced pilots who are required to have avalanche knowledge.
It is done mostly on skis, and for foreign visitors a Swiss speed-flying
instructor must be present.

SWEDEN They consider it speed skiing only.

DENMARK There is no speed skiing as they do not have any mountains.

FRANCE It is controlled by the FFVL. A course has been established for
instructors.
Before flying, contact must be made with a local Club or School.
Some manufacturers would like CEN to establish tests for these wings.

UK A development team has been established to see if and how this
activity can be incorporated into the BHPA

5. COMPETITION FLYING

It was noted that the CIVL Safety and Training sub-Committee is as follows:
Members:
László Szöllösi (Hungary) – Chair
John Aldridge (UK)
Robert Aarts (Finland)
Martin Scheel (Switzerland)
Oyvind Ellefsen (Norway)
Kamil Konecny (Czech Republic)
Dennis Pagen (USA)
Iris Vogt (Austria)
It is also noted that the FAI website indicates that CIVL Safety and Training sub-committee will
undergo further changes.
We had hoped that a better link could be forged with Laszlo as their Chairman.
However now that we have seen John Aldridge’s statement that the safety focus for
each discipline will be embedded within the respective sporting discipline sub-committees,
it seems that the Safety and Training Sub-Committee will in future only have a monitoring and
co-ordinating function, as quoted in his statement.
Thus it would appear that rather than enhancing future contact between EHPU and CIVL, these
changes will make it even more difficult.
However it is noted on the FAI website that Laszlo has been charged with getting a feel for
whatever competition accident statistics are already available and we look forward to their publication.
Marion reported that the EHPU letter to CIVL regarding Competition seemed to have had a
significant effect, however he pointed out that CIVL represent only a few competition pilots,
whereas we represent many thousands of pilots.
Discussion took place regarding the recent OCTWG status report. There was unanimous
agreement that the proposals showed only a tiny step forward and were not likely to make any
significant safety improvements.
We agreed that we should continue to push that only EN tested gliders be used in all competitions.

5. DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING.

The Chairman thanked Rodolfo Saccani and the FIVL for their kind hospitality in hosting the meeting.

Next year’s meeting will be held in Hungary, approx. 60 Km from Budapest on July 9th/10th.

John Lovell BHPA
Chairman
European Safety and Training Committee.