Sky Sports in Korea

 

Introduction

 

This document provides information on aero sports for foreigners who stay in Korea. It includes Ultra-light Plane, Sky Diving, Paragliding, Hang gliding, and Hotair Ballooning. Introduction to the sports and skills are not provided here since you can find it on Internet. Instead, you can find history of aero sports in Korea and how to enjoy it while you stay in Korea. If you need more information, e-mail me.

 Minsik Hur(hotair@naver.com)

  

Ultra-light Plane/Ultra-light Machine

 

Mr. Park Hong Soo, currently the chairman of Seoul Aero Clue, introduced Ultra-light Plane  with his hang glider equipped with a small engine in early 1980s for the first time in Korea.

He had been through one year's test flight by modifying propeller. He finally completed 2 hours' test flight. That was the first ultra-light plane flight in Korea.

Since then, sophisticated flight machine has been introduced from abroad and flight clubs have been increased.

In 1989, Korea Ultra-light Aviation Association (Chairman Lee Won Bok) under Ulra-National Aero Club was founded. Ministry of Construction and Transportation defined 10 exclusive flight areas for Ultra-light Plane such as Ansan, Banwal and Yangpyong.

Ultra-light Plane is one of the recent popular aero sports in Korea like paragliding.

If you want to find an Ultra-light Plane instructor, I would recommend Bae Yong Ho of Aim High Aero Club. He was a combat plane pilot and Top-Gun of Korea Air Force. Recently he became a reserve officer and Ultra-light Plane instructor.

 

Competitions

 

President Cup Ultra-light Plane Flight Competition is held every October. If you want to participate in the competition, contact Korea Ultra-light Aviation Association.

 

 

Organizations

Korea Ultra-light Aviation Association
Tel. 82-31-501-2676  Fax. 82-31-501-2675
Kyongki-do, Ahansan-shi Sangrok-gu, Bono-dong 681
Bono Building 5F
http://www.kulaa.or.kr/asapro/
E-mail : kulaa@kulaa.or.kr

 

Flight Club             

Skynetports Flying Club 82-17-243-0986 www.skynetports.com
Aeromaster 82-31-419-8917 www.aeromaster.co.kr   
Blue Bird 82-31-493-2676 www.kitplane.co.kr            
Osom 82-31-357-2147 www.osom.co.kr      
Seohae Air 82-31-482-4966 www.seohaeair.co.kr       
Sky Haven Aviation 82-32-834-2388 www.skyheaven.net          
Narae Air 82-16-222-9295 www.naraeair.com            
Delta Air 82-11-888-8226 
Ilsan Air Club 82-11-338-0448        
Cheonhae Flying Club 82-11-257-5719         
Korea Flying Education Center          82-31-401-1192 www.kfec.net       
Aim High Aero Club           www.aimhighaeroclub.com 
Aeropia 82-31-357-4116 www.aeropia.co.kr
Daechon Air 82-18-409-9597 www.daechonair.com    
Dream Air 82-43-643-2676 www.seaplanes.co.kr       
Silver Wing Air 82-55-584-2133 http://my.netian.com/~swaclub 
Air Land 82-54-977-2676 www.air276.com  
Damyang Air 82-61-381-6230 www.damyangair.co.kr 
Wing Man 82-10-2681-2676           
Moak Aviation 82-63-283-5718 www.moakair.com    

 

 

Sky-diving

 

Sky-diving was introduced by the Korea American Military for the first time Korea in 1961. Korean government promoted Sky-diving as a special sport for university students and Sky-diving instruction was started in 1962. In 1963, Korea Parachute Association was founded and became an affiliated organization of Korea Aviation Association (currently National Aero Club).

The history of Sky-diving has been dependent on supply of plane by the Korean government and Air Force. From 1963 to 1969, Kyonghyang News Paper had supplied helicopters for periodic exercises. From 1970 to 1974, Air Force supported flight instruction. Especially, from 1970 to 1974, the President had ordered Army Aviation Corps to supply U-64 Helicopter. April 1974, plan supply was stopped by Oil Shock. From 1979 to 1983, Sky-diving had not been active due to the safety concerns.

In the middle 1980s, Korean pilots participated in various abroad competitions and world competitions were held in Korea. August 11, 1987, the first Korea Sky-diving Competition was held in Han River. In September, the fourth World Cup International Parachute Competition was held in Seoul Main Stadium with the hope that Sky-diving can be a competitive game of the Olympics.

In 1988, Special Warfare Command Sky-diving members seceded from the Korea Parachute Association to Korea Sky-diving Federation. In December 1989, the two organizations were united to the current Korea Sky-diving Association with 1,000 members.

In every first half, Sky-diving Association Chairman supervised competition is held. In every October, Special Combat Commander Cup Competition is held in Kyongki-do.

Sky-diving costs a lot in Korea. Because of this reason, it is not popular among the Korean public. Sky-diving equipment is expensive as well because it should be imported. Sky-diving allowed area is limited due to the political reasons. Geographical reasons are another obstacle. Mountains allow only helicopters of civilian airlines to fly. Renting planes is expensive. So peoples who are interested in flight go to China to be trained.

Flight costs 120 thousand won per count for a formally trained sky-diver in Korea. 50 to120 thousand won is added to trainees for equipment uses and 70 thousands won for trainer accompanying.

Renting planes for sky-diving costs a lot because there are not many civilian planes. Korea Sky-diving Association rents helicopters two times a month for sky-diving. It performs exercises in Han River. If you want to apply for it, contact Korea Sky-diving Association.

 

Competitions

 

Korea President Cup Aero Sports Sky-diving Competition is held in every October. Special Combat Commander Cup Sky-diving Competition is held in Kyongky-do Kwangju in every October. Military men and civilians can participate.

 

Organizations

Korea Parachute Association
Seoul, Songpa-gu, Jamsil 175-12
Tel: 82-2-2203-7943    Fax: 82-2-2203-7942  
E-Mail: sky@kpa.or.kr

 

 

Paragliding

 

Paragliding was introduced for the first time in Korean in 1986. Its activities were introduced in newspapers in 1987 and actually spread among the public in 1989. At the beginning, paraglider manufacturing was started. With Airman at the front, Deagyo (Condol brand), Woongbi Uchae, Deahan Parachute (currently Jongwoo Parachute), Paracon followed. Recently, Jin Glider of which members are from Airman was founded. The manufacturers are currently leading world markets with advanced technology and professional marketing activities.

In October 1989, the first friendship competition was held. In 1991, paragliding subcommittee of Korea Hang & Para Gliding Association which supervises hang gliding was founded to become a formal association.

In 1991, Korea paragliding team participated in Paragliding competition which was held in France. Out of 20th in the first competition attendance, Korean team placed within 10th in the world competitions from the second competition in Swiss in 1993. Paragliding population reached 20 thousand even with its short history in Korea.

Korea Hang & Para Gliding Association has 21 official schools and 13 official clubs. They owns homepages. You can find the information on the Internet.

 

Competitions 

There are many paragliding competitions in Korea like Korea President Cup Aero Sports Paragliding Competition. They are too many to be listed here. For more information, contact Korea Hang & Para gliding Association.

 

Organizations 

Korea Hang & Para Gliding Association
Tel. 82-31-796-2706  Fax. 82-31-794-2625
Kyungki-do, Hanam-si, Dukpung 2-dong 357-50
E-mail : khpga@khpga.org

 

Paragliding Schools and Clubs 

Challenger Paragliding School 82-02-540-1229 http://www.paraschool.co.kr  
Flyfocus Paragliding School 82-2679-8049 http://www.flyfocus.net    
Korea Paragliding School 82-2-456-8226 http://www.korea-para.co.kr    
Air Age 82-2-9629-0303 http://www.paragliding.co.kr    
Airfield 82-2-3667-0117 http://www.airfield.co.kr    
Hanulro 82-11-604-5845 http://www.hanulroschool.com    
Paracamp 82-55-252-9440 http://www.paracamp.com       
Seoul Paragliding 82-16-853-8236 http://www.nanosky.co.kr    
Flying Land School 82-11-533-5800 http://www.flyingland.co.kr    
Da Vinci Paragliding 82-11-533-2897 http://www.nalge.net    
San Paragliding School 82-11-9642-6266 http://www.para2626.com 
Free Flying Club 82-2-416-3102 http://www.flyingclub.co.kr    
Fling X-C Club 82-43-285-5534 http://www.x-cparamotor.com    
Hnabhk Paragliding 82-31-826-8788 http://home.freechal.com/hanbukps  
Songgolmae Paragliding School 82-32-653-8121 http://www.songgolmae.co.kr    
Best Fly Paragliding School 82-31-479-4788 http://cafe.daum.net/bestfly    

 

Clubs

Hana Sky Club http://www.hanaskyclub.com    
HMC Gliding Club http://hmcpara.wo.to/   
Sky Walker Paragliding School 82-53-631-0314 http://www.paraok.com 
Bicha Paragliding Team 82-11-9049-8542 http://www.bichapara.com        
Hanultaki 82-11-9585-2478 http://www.skydream.net    
Free Flying Club 82-2-416-3102 http://www.flyingclub.co.kr     
Songgolmae Paragliding School 82-32-653-8121 http://www.songgolmae.co.kr        
Juyu Paragliding Club 82-11-469-8845 http://www.juyu.co.kr   

 

 

Hang gliding

  

There are two types of hang glider, class 1 with a triangle-shaped wing and class 2 with fixed wings similar to a plane's. In Korea, only class 1 was introduced.

Hang gliding is defined as manpower glider by FAI. In Korea, Korea Hang & Para gliding Association under NAC, an affiliate of FAI, supervises hang gliding.

It was introduced for the first time in 1975. Pioneers are Lee Yong Jae and Lee Seong Jae brothers. They found photos of hang glider by chance in the aero sport magazine when hang gliding equipment or aviation skills were not introduced at all.  They made a triangle wing with aluminum pipe and Taffeta, 100% nylon cloth, and performed test flight in the bank of Jongrang stream. After that, Back Jun Hum, Hong Jyong Ki, Oh Tae Suk joined. They founded Korea Hang & Para Gliding Association under NAC. Lee Yong Jae and Lee Seong Jae brothers are called 'Korean Light Brothers because of their challenge and spirit of pioneer.

There are 10 professional schools. You can apply for the closest school and be trained as a beginner. The class includes basic aviation theory, equipment handling, ground exercises, take-off and landing exercises, practical low altitude aviation training, and practical high altitude aviation training. Training period depends on schools. The training with one time Practical high altitude aviation training needs 7 days for 2 months and with 10 times' flights needs 15 to 20 days for 5 months. Training fee is from 300 to 600 thousand won. It includes equipment uses and insurance. No extra charge is needed.

After training, you can register to a paragliding club as a member and join intermediate and advanced classes if you want. Normally, to get intermediate grade, 2-3 years are needed and to get advanced grade, 5 to 10 years are needed.  

 

Organizations

Korea Hang & Para Gliding Association
Tel. 82-31-796-2706  Fax. 82-31-794-2625
Kyungki-do, Hanam-si, Dukpung 2-dong 357-50
E-mail khpga@khpga.org

 

Clubs

Free Flying Club http://www.flyingclub.co.kr 
SkyPass http://kr.club.yahoo.com/hanggliding    

 

 

Hot Air Balloon

 

I'm a pilot of Hot Air Balloon. However, it is not easy to introduce Hot Air because there are quite few balloonists with a very short history in Korea.

There are 30 balloons. Out of them, currently 20 balloons are estimated to be capable of flying. The first balloon was imported from England in 1984.  Ballooning season is from October to April. Ballooning is allowed only after harvest because there is no vast field excluding paddy field in Korea. The closest ballooning area is Ahasan in Chungchongnam-do. It is 2 hours away from Seoul by car. You can find a couple of balloons there in ballooning season.

 

Competitions

 Korea President Cup Ballooning Competition is held in every October.

 

Organizations

 Korea Balloon Association 
http://www.balloonnet.org
E-mail : hotair@naver.com

 

Pilot

Minsik Hur    Tel. 82-10-3902-5533
http://www.myairdream.com
email hotair@naver.com
Muntae Kim Tel. 82-11-9148-2882 kikyu40@hotmail.com