AFS-16-10475-E 

May 25, 2016 

 Exemption No. 4144Q 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-12590 

Mr. Martin Palmaz 

Executive Director 

United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. 

P.O. Box 1330 

Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1330 

Dear Mr. Palmaz: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 4144, 

as amended. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and 

limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated March 17, 2016, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. (USHGPA) for an 

extension of Exemption No. 4144, as amended. That exemption from §§ 91.309 and 103.1(b) 

of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows USHGPA members to tow 

unpowered ultralight vehicles (hang gliders) using powered ultralight vehicles. 

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption. 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to USHGPA. 

Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 4144, as 

amended, remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. 
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Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the 

FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I grant United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding 

Association, Inc. (USHGPA) an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.309 and 103.1(b) to allow 

USHGPA members to tow unpowered ultralight vehicles (hang gliders) using powered 

ultralight vehicles, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. Each operation must comply with all sections of 14 CFR part 103, except § 103.1(b). 

2. No charge, assessment, or fee may be made for the operation of the towing ultralight 

vehicle except for the actual expenses of the specific flight. 

3. Occupants on both the powered and unpowered ultralights must possess a current pilot 

rating issued by the USHGPA. 

4. For identification purposes, USHGPA shall issue an individual authorization to each 

person allowed to conduct operations under this exemption. Each authorization must 

include an identification number and a copy of this exemption. USHGPA must also 

have a procedure to rescind this authority when needed. 

5. Operations conducted under this exemption must be in accordance with the safety and 

certification rules and guidelines, as amended, established by USHGPA, including 

those specified in paragraphs 1 through 12 of the petitioners’ supportive information. 

6. Each operator of an ultralight vehicle under the authority of this exemption must be 

familiar with the provisions contained herein and must have in his or her personal 

possession a copy of the authorization issued by USHGPA, and a copy of this 

exemption. These documents shall be presented for inspection upon request by the 

FAA. 

7. This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States. 
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The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 4144, as amended, to May 31, 

2018, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service