11/09/2026
🪂 SO, YOU WANT YOUR PG4?
I’m continually asked what is actually required to obtain a PG4 Intermediate Pilot Certificate, so with the release of the new SAFA Qualifications Manual, here’s a plain-English breakdown.
WHAT DO I NEED?
To obtain your PG4, you need to:
✅ Have held PG3 for at least 12 months
✅ Complete the required online learning and pass the applicable theory and practical examinations
✅ Hold a Radio Operator Endorsement
✅ Hold a Cross Country (PG/HG) Endorsement
✅ Complete the SAFA Advanced Paraglider Wing Proficiency course
✅ Complete the required PG4 Flight Test
✅ Have your application recommended by a L2FI, CFI or SSO who is authorised to act as a Pilot Examiner
But there are also minimum flying experience requirements.
Your SAFA online Logbook or Pilot Logbook must show:
🪂 30 hours minimum logged flight time, over a minimum of 25 flying days
🪂 2 soaring flights greater than 500 feet AGL
🪂 A minimum of 2 hours flying in thermic lift
🪂 A minimum of 5 hours flying in ridge lift
🪂 Flights at 5 different sites
🪂 At least 1 cross-country flight
📖 SAFA Part 149 Qualifications Manual 4.0_20260618 — §5.1.5.1
SO, WHAT ACTUALLY COUNTS AS A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT?
This is worth explaining because a genuine XC flight is now specifically part of the PG4 aeronautical experience requirements.
The SAFA Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions (AA&D) Guide defines a cross-country flight around some important concepts.
For an unpowered aircraft such as a paraglider, you need to go beyond gliding distance from the local soaring site by using up-currents or thermals to gain altitude and extend the flight, and there needs to be a genuine navigation component.
It also distinguishes XC from flying within a small defined area requiring little navigation.
So, put simply:
❌ A long flight isn't automatically an XC.
❌ A long ridge run isn't automatically an XC.
❌ Landing somewhere other than where you launched doesn't automatically make it an XC.
In simple terms, you need to use lift to fly beyond gliding distance from the local soaring site, and the flight needs to involve genuine navigation rather than simply operating within a small local soaring area.
There is no stated minimum kilometre or nautical-mile distance for the PG4 qualifying XC flight. The requirement is simply that you have completed at least one cross-country flight that satisfies the SAFA definition.
📖 AA&D – Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions_V7.0_20260807 — “Cross-country flight”
AND THEN THERE'S THE FLIGHT TEST...
PG4 isn't just about ticking off numbers.
During your Flight Test, you need to demonstrate to a L2FI, CFI or SSO who is authorised to act as a Pilot Examiner competent skills in:
✔️ Launching and landing in light and moderate conditions
✔️ Two top landings and one on-slope landing in appropriate conditions
✔️ Five successful landings on your feet within a 10-metre radius of a previously designated point, using a downwind, base leg and final approach
✔️ Searching for the stall point and demonstrating the correct recovery procedure
✔️ A height-loss manoeuvre with correct recovery
✔️ Coping appropriately with crowded conditions
✔️ Appropriate VHF radio calls when required
These are the specific demonstration requirements listed for the PG4 Flight Test.
📖 SAFA Part 149 Qualifications Manual 4.0_20260618 — §5.1.5.2
WHAT ABOUT THE ADVANCED PARAGLIDER WING PROFICIENCY COURSE?
This is worth highlighting because it is now specifically required for the issue of both PG4 and PG5.
Under the new Qualifications Manual, an “advanced paraglider” is a paraglider other than an EN-A or EN-B certified paraglider being operated within its certified weight range.
The Advanced Paraglider Wing Proficiency course provides the theory required to consider operating these advanced wings.
Importantly, completing the course by itself does not authorise you to operate an advanced paraglider.
For a PG4 pilot, you need both the Advanced Paraglider Wing Proficiency course and the PG4 Intermediate Pilot Certificate before you can exercise that privilege. A PG5 holder is also authorised under this provision.
📖 SAFA Part 149 Qualifications Manual 4.0_20260618 — §5.2.3
THE SHORT VERSION?
PG4 isn't simply an hours-based rating.
The 30 hours and 25 flying days are minimums, not the entire qualification.
You also need the required endorsements, Advanced Paraglider Wing Proficiency course, soaring experience, thermic experience, ridge-soaring experience, experience across five different sites, a genuine XC flight, theory requirements and, importantly, the ability to demonstrate the required skills during your Flight Test.
If you're working towards PG4, don't just concentrate on building hours.
Build experience — different sites, thermalling, ridge soaring, XC flying, landing accuracy, top landings, slope landings, traffic and good decision-making.
That’s the broader level of experience and competency the PG4 requirements are designed to assess.
Good luck on your rating progression journey!
If you need any more information, or there’s anything else in the new Qualifications Manual you’d like demystified, please reach out and I’ll do my best to help.
📚 Sources:
SAFA Part 149 Qualifications Manual 4.0_20260618 — §5.1.5, PG4 Intermediate Pilot Certificate
SAFA Part 149 Qualifications Manual 4.0_20260618 — §5.2.3, Advanced Paraglider Wing Proficiency
AA&D – Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions_V7.0_20260807 — “Cross-country flight”
