Airworthiness Certifications

Airworthiness Certifications

Hang glider airworthiness certification provides independent verification that a glider design meets established standards for controllability, stability, and structural strength. Two certification systems are relevant to Wills Wing hang gliders:

HGMA (USA)

The Hang Glider Manufacturers Association was established in 1977 as a manufacturer's association administering airworthiness certification recognized by the FAA. All Wills Wing production models were HGMA certified. The HGMA issued 118 certifications covering Wills Wing models from October 1977 (SST 100B) through May 2020 (Alpha 235). The HGMA dissolved in June 2022; certification records are now maintained by USHPA.

See the complete HGMA certification list for all 118 entries with dates.

DHV / LTF (Germany)

The Deutscher Hängleiterverband (DHV) administers the LTF (Lufttüchtigkeitsforderungen) airworthiness standards on behalf of Germany's Federal Aviation Office (LBA). The DHV Gütesiegel is required for legal flight in Germany. 39 Wills Wing models have received DHV certification between 1985 and 2025. DHV testing is performed by an independent testing authority, in contrast to the HGMA's manufacturer self-documentation approach.

DHV classifications for hang gliders: Class 1 (beginner), Class 1-2 (beginner-intermediate), Class 2 (intermediate), Class 2-3 (intermediate-advanced), Class 3 (advanced).

For a detailed technical comparison of the two standards, see Comparative Analysis of LTF and HGMA Airworthiness Standards for Hang Gliders.

DHV Certifications

The following table lists all 39 Wills Wing models in the DHV database, sorted by model name and size. Not all Wills Wing models have DHV certification — it requires separate testing and fees beyond HGMA certification. Models tested from 2015 onward through HGMA/DHV cross-recognition carry HGMA-format certification numbers.

Key Milestones

• 1977 — First HGMA certification: SST 100B (10/27/1977). Wills Wing was among the founding members of the HGMA.
• 1985 — First DHV certification: HP 170 (DHV 01-0262-85). Wills Wing's first entry in the German certification system.
• 1990s — Peak DHV activity: 17 models certified between 1990 and 1999, spanning the Spectrum, Supersport, Fusion, Ultra Sport, Cross Country, and Falcon lines.
• 2008 — T2C 154 receives DHV certification (DHV 01-0439-08). This followed the breakthrough where Carsten Friedrichs was denied entry to the 2012 German Open because his HGMA-certified T2C 144 lacked the DHV Gütesiegel. DHV subsequently agreed to accept HGMA pitch and load testing results as valid evidence of airworthiness, with significant support from Roberto Nichele (Swiss importer).
• 2015 — HGMA/DHV cross-recognition begins with the Falcon 4 170 and Alpha 210 carrying HGMA certification numbers accepted by DHV.
• 2022 — HGMA dissolves after 45 years of operation. Certification records transferred to USHPA.
• 2025 — Sport 3 155 Race and Sport 3 170 receive full DHV certification (the most recent Wills Wing certifications).

Notes

• Not all Wills Wing models have DHV certification. It requires separate testing and fees, and was primarily pursued for models with significant European market demand.
• The T3 (current competition model) has HGMA certification but does not have DHV certification.
• The "Cross Country" name in the DHV database corresponds to the model marketed as "XC" by Wills Wing.
• Where the two standards differ in their technical requirements, the HGMA standards are demonstrably more valid for modern flex-wing hang gliders, particularly in structural testing methodology and the inclusion of a negative 150-degree tumble survival test.
• For archived models, HGMA certification dates are listed on each model's archive page in the Specifications tab.