A Wanaka man has been charged for allegedly offering tourists unauthorised tandem paragliding flights. 

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed today (Tuesday June 1) it had laid charges against a 31-year-old Wanaka man in the Queenstown District Court on May 26.

The CAA launched an investigation in November 2020 after a concern was raised about a Wanaka-based paraglider pilot who was allegedly charging for tandem paraglider flights he was not authorised to provide, using a paraglider which did not have the necessary warrant of fitness.

“By bringing these charges the Civil Aviation Authority is working to protect tourists who rightly expect an exciting but safe adventure flight,” CAA deputy chief executive Dean Winter said.

“Taking this prosecution also helps maintain a level playing field for the hard-working adventure aviation operators who do the right thing.”

Dean said New Zealand’s commercial adventure aviation sector had developed a strong safety record and it was important that was maintained through all operators having gone through a robust certification process.

In New Zealand, adventure aviation organisations can operate only if they have successfully gone through a thorough CAA certification process and have been issued with an adventure aviation operator certificate under Part 115 of the Civil Aviation Rules. These certificates are usually displayed by the organisation concerned and can be seen by the public.

Wanaka adventure aviation operators who have been issued with a Part 115 certificate are Classic Flights Ltd, U-Fly NZ Ltd, Skydive Wanaka, and Wanaka Paragliding.

The Part 115 rules cover the wide range of commercial adventure aviation flights offered in New Zealand, including flights in paragliders and hang gliders, hot air balloons, warbirds, microlights, gliders, as well as tandem skydiving jumps.

The CAA could not comment further as the matter is before the courts.