This is somewhat complicated, so pay attention!

• IHPA - The IHPA is the National Association and National Representative Body for the sports of free-flying in Ireland.
• NACI - The National Aero Club of Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council as the National Governing Body representing all air sports in Ireland.
• ISC - The Irish Sports Council is the statutory body governing all sporting activity in Ireland.
• FAI - The Federation Aeronautique Internationale is the International Governing Body for all air sports and sanctioned competitions around the world.
• CIVL - The Commission Internationale de Vol Libre is the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission of the FAI.
• EAS - Europe Air Sports.
• EHPU - The European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union.

So, what do ISC / NACI / FAI & CIVL / EAS do for the IHPA?

The Irish Sports Council (ISC) is the statutory body tasked with encouraging the promotion of, funding the development of and regulating competitive sports in Ireland. Until 2006 the ISC recognised the IHPA and many other sport-aviation Associations as the NGBs for their individual sports within Ireland. In 2006, however, the ISC decided that individual air sports are, in general, too small to justify individual recognition. ISC asked National Aero Club of Ireland to apply for umbrella body recognition for all air sports. They have taken the same approach with other groups of sports e.g. athletics and equestrian sports. The ISC recognises the National Aero Club of Ireland (NACI) as the National Governing Body for all air sports in this country. The ISC is potentially a large source of funding that would allow the IHPA to sponsor pilots to compete internationally at CIVL / FAI sanctioned events and help the development of the sport in Ireland and help pay for the training of new instructors and the development of the sport in Ireland. It could also assist in opening up new flying sites that at present have no safe or convenient access by road.

The National Aero Club of Ireland (formally the Irish Aero Club) was formed in 1909 and has evolved into an umbrella group representing all air sports in Ireland. Individual air-sport Associations are members of the NACI, whose Executive Committee is made up from officers of the member-Associations.  The NACI is recognised as the National Governing Body for all air sports in Ireland by the Irish Sports Council and is an active member of FAI/CIVL. The NACI is a member of Europe Air Sports. The NACI is the mechanism through which the IHPA can talk to statutory bodies like the Irish Sports Council, Europe Air Sports, the Irish Aviation Authority and FAI/CIVL with the weight and support of all the other air-sports.

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) is the International Governing Body for all air sports and sanctioned competitions around the world.
The Commission Internationale de Vol Libre (CIVL) is the branch of FAI (called a commission) that deals with Hang Gliding and Paragliding. Through the NACI, CIVL / FAI provides the IHPA with its internationally recognised Safe Pro and Para Pro Standards of Safety and Training, and provides the Pilot Rating Scheme that is employed here in Ireland. CIVL / FAI also provides the IHPA with International Pilot Proficiency Identity (IPPI) cards which (when used with an IHPA Membership card) are accepted by all other countries to document a pilot's level of training and knowledge. CIVL / FAI further provides IHPA pilots with its Sporting Licence, which is required if pilots wish to compete in CIVL / FAI sanctioned international competitions, like the HG and PG Pre-Worlds and World Championships, and receive a World Pilot Ranking.

Europe Air Sports (EAS) is an association of the European National Aero Clubs and European Air Sports Unions, with the objective to co-ordinate regulatory matters in Europe. It is affiliated to the FAI, the World's Airsports Federation. Developments in European aviation regulation require constant attention and actions for a response or initiative. If unnoticed, unfavourable or even dangerous rules may evolve, hurting air sports and recreational aviation. If properly managed, it may lead to equal opportunities for our community in Europe. Current membership counts the National Aero Clubs of 25 States and the European Gliding and the European Hang & Paragliding Unions, the Microlight Federation as well as PPL/IR Europe. Europe Air Sports represents the interests of some 700,000 sports and recreational airspace users.


The European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) is an independent, self-governing and non-profit umbrella association for national hang gliding and paragliding associations in Europe, which aims to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe.  The EHPU seeks in particular to consult with all relevant regulatory authorities in Europe, for the benefit of hang gliding and paragliding. It endeavours to cooperate both with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and with Europe Air sports.

Keep Ireland Open (KIO) is a voluntary organisation campaigning for the right of recreational users to reasonable access to the Irish countryside. KIO are looking for are clearly marked legal rights of way, mainly in the lowlands and legal rights to allow freedom to roam in more remote and upland areas. They also campaign against barbed-wire fencing, especially prevalent in the West, which is both unsightly and denies access. Keep Ireland Open was founded in 1994. Its members now include large numbers of concerned individuals and local groups as well as national organisations interested in the outdoors and the environment.