The Paraglider manufacturers’ Association (PMA) has reported that the Austrian Ministry of Transport’s new ZLLV 2010 (decree for civil aircraft and airsport devices) is expected to be in force by May 2010. It means that non-motorised paragliders, hang gliders and parachutes no longer have to be registered in Austria.
Martin Jursa, former director of the now- joint DHV (German hang gliding & paragliding federation) and ÖAeC (Austrian Aeroclub) technical departments, acted on behalf of the PMA to achieve this deregulation. Martin was also key in establishing the EN 926 test standards for paragliders.
Following the new ZLLV 2010 paragliders may be flown in Austria provided that they are airworthy and comply with current standards, and that this is marked on the glider’s label. The owner of the equipment is responsible for maintaining airworthiness by following the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
The new ZLLV 2010 does not provide a complete deregulation for motorised paragliders, but registration will be easier and more flexible than is the current situation. The glider will still have to be flown by the ÖAeC, and maintenance checks will have to be carried out by ÖAeC-approved companies, but there is no need for registration. This opens the doors for non-Austrian companies to sell equipment in Austria.
Germany is now the only remaining country in the world where paragliding is still regulated by a national law.
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