BHPA Accuracy Website

There are two accuracy codes; ‘Classic Accuracy’ and ‘Paragliding Accuracy’ which have different competition rules. ‘Classic Accuracy’ has a long history and competitions take place on airfields where tow launched parachutes and parascending canopies are predominantly used by competitors, however, winched launched paragliders are also used. Classic Accuracy is not recognised by the FAI and pilots are allowed to fall over on landing in accordance with ‘Classic Accuracy’ rules. ‘Paragliding Accuracy’ started in the late nineties and competitions can take place on a hill or on an airfield using paragliders. These competitions are run in accordance with rules set out in Section 7C of the FAI Sporting Code and local regulations, and pilots will be penalised if they fall over on landing.

In competitions, the aim of every pilot on landing is to make their first point of contact with a 3cm dot at the very centre of a target area which means scoring a dead centre (DC). Scores are measured in centimetres from the DC and competitions are held over a number of flights where the distances scored in every flight are added together to give a final score. The first 15cm are measured by an electronic pad, and it takes considerable skill to consistently land on the electronic pad. In ‘Classic Accuracy’ scores are measured out to 250cm and in ‘Paragliding Accuracy’ scores are measured out to 1,000cm. Both ‘codes’ have their own British leagues where you get points depending on your position relative to other British pilots and these are added up over the flying season.

In Classic Accuracy there are UK club competitions, a National Championships and a European Grand Prix series. All competitions require two completed rounds to be validated and there are awards for individuals and teams of three pilots. Club competitions usually have British league status and are open to all levels of pilots. Entry to the Classic National Championships is for Club Pilot (tow) and above, however, there is also a novice category for all levels of pilot who are new to accuracy. Pilots who have not achieved a Club Pilot rating will need to be accompanied by their own instructor at both the club and national competitions. The National Championships are always held in the UK, normally on the August bank holiday weekend, and also forms the UK leg of the European Grand Prix series. Therefore at the National Championships there are awards for best national and international individuals and teams.

The European Grand Prix series usually consists of three competitions in France, UK and Holland. At the end of the series an individual, a team and a nation are crowned as European Grand Prix champions. All Grand Prix competitions have British league status. There is also usually a competition run by the Dutch / Belgian club Falcon Air in Holland, however, because of the restricted tow direction, this competition does not have European Grand Prix or British league status.

In Paragliding Accuracy there are UK club competitions, a UK National Championships, overseas open competitions, a World Cup series, FAI European and World championships and a World Air Games. There is also a FAI World Ranking Points System (WRPS).

Club competitions usually have league status and are open to all levels of pilots. Entry to the Paragliding Accuracy National Championships is for Club Pilots and above, however, there is a novice category for all levels of pilot who are new to accuracy. Pilots who have not achieved a Club Pilot rating will need to be accompanied by their own instructor at both the club and national competitions. The teams consist of three pilots at both the club competitions and national championships.

Overseas clubs and national bodies hold open competitions which are usually open to UK pilots of Club Pilot rating and above. The World Cup series consists of six competitions, mainly in Europe, and are generally open to Club Pilots and above. Teams consist of four pilots at any one competition who can be selected from a larger pool of pilots who are only allowed to fly for one team in a year. There is usually 300 / 200 / 100 euro prize money for the first three individual places at each competition and at the end of the year there are trophies for the overall individual and team series winners based on the best four out of the six competitions.

The FAI European and World championships are generally each held every other year and scheduled such that there is one championships every year. These championships are limited to national teams of five male pilots and two female pilots who have a Pilot rating (IPPI4) or above. Selection of the British Team is organised by the BHPA Accuracy Panel and pilots interested in representing their country need to register for the accuracy squad. Paragliding Accuracy is new to the World Air Games and as yet there is no set frequency established as to when the games are held. Entry to the games is by FAI invitation only based on world ranking points. Countries which have the most pilots in the top rankings will get more invitations and because of this there is no team event.

UK club competitions, UK National Championships, overseas open competitions and World Cup competitions all require two completed rounds to be validated and, with the exception of the overseas open competitions, are usually eligible for the British league. European & World Championships and the World Air Games require three completed rounds to be validated and do not count to the British league as they are not open to all British pilots.

The FAI World Ranking Points System (WRPS) is based on points that are gained from FAI category 1 and 2 (Cat 1&2) competitions. Club competitions and National Championships are eligible for Cat 2 status as long as they meet certain criteria and the organiser has registered the event with the FAI. The World Cup competitions have to be Cat 2 events, and European & World championships and World Air Games have to meet the stricter criteria for Cat 1 status. To enter an FAI event pilots will need to hold an FAI licence that is obtained through the BHPA at a cost of £11. Pilots can still enter club competitions and National Championships without FAI licences, and be eligible for competition awards, but will obviously not get any FAI points. The World Ranking Points are based on factors such as pilot placing, number of pilots and pilot quality at each competition.