Ayra Wang
Paragliders will have to register and put a number tag on their gear from October 31, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said.
This came as the city’s two major gliding groups – the Hong Kong China Paragliding Association and the International Paragliding Association – prepared to launch a real-name system on the same day, as well as maintain and update the register after the new system goes live.
Paragliders will have to register in the government system beforehand, after which they will get labels with a registration number to display on their equipment.
”The implementation of the real-name registration for paragliding activities and the labeling arrangement would facilitate the identification of paraglider pilots during rescue missions, investigations and law enforcement actions,” said Lam.
Election Committee constituency lawmaker Chan Pui-leung said the government should consider requiring all paragliders to apply for a permit from the Civil Aviation Department, as paragliding has become increasingly popular in recent years but is still a high-risk activity.
He added that the improper operation of paragliders will affect other airspace users as well as the public on the ground.
The CAD handled 18 accidents involving paragliding from 2018 to 2022, while six paragliding accidents have been reported to the department this year as of this month.
Currently, only persons offering air services performed by paragliders for hire or reward are required to apply for permission from the CAD. Lam said there is no plan to expand regulations to cover non-profit paragliding activities.
Lawmaker Rock Chen Chung-nin asked if the government would require paragliders to bring devices such as anemographs, altimeters and global positioning systems.
Lam responded that the authority suggests paragliders have a location-tracking device that can send signals, to help rescue crews locate the persons should they be in distress.
The CAD appealed to paragliders to fully understand the risks of the activity and prepare adequate safety equipment in advance. “Conduct a risk assessment, including but not limited to the prevailing site conditions. Pay extra attention to risks associated with changing weather conditions and inclement weather. Under emergency situations, take corresponding mitigation measures according to the risk assessment,” the CAD’s safety guidelines state.
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