Become a Sky Parade Pilot

Join the signature spectacle of Aire Craft — costumed paragliders launching from Tiger Mountain and flying into downtown Issaquah.

Apply to Participate — Deadline July 3
A person in a yellow airplane with a parasail attached is flying high above a forested area, with trees visible at the bottom of the image and a clear blue sky in the background.

The Sky Parade is a highly visible, low-altitude demonstration flight into a confined landing area in front of thousands of spectators. It is the defining moment of the festival — and one of the most technically demanding flying environments you'll encounter.

Participation is limited to experienced pilots who are comfortable with precision approaches, restricted landing zones, and flying in costume. If that's you, we'd love to have you in the parade.

Paraglider flying high above a forested area with blue sky in the background
A person paragliding over a forested mountain with a pink and red paraglider and a yellow inflatable duck.
A powered parachute flying in a clear blue sky with a parachute canopy showing the wording 'SWIMEST PRAGLIDING'.
A person flying a vintage airplane with a parachute canopy attached, soaring above a forest on a clear blue sky day.
A tandem paraglider flying in a clear blue sky above green treetops, with a yellow and black aircraft-style harness.
A person is flying in a yellow tandem ultralight aircraft with a blue and purple parachute canopy against a clear blue sky.
A yellow powered parachute with a purple and white canopy flying over a forested hillside with a clear blue sky.
A yellow powered parachute with a purple canopy flying over a dense forest of green trees.
A small yellow aircraft with a blue and white striped tail flying low over a dense forest, carrying a person under a purple parachute with the words 'NORTHWEST PARAGLIDING' printed on it.
A yellow and blue powered parachute flying over a green forest, with two people onboard wearing helmets.
Two people in a bright yellow biplane-shaped costume, wearing aviator hats and goggles, sitting in the grass and waving. One person is smiling and waving with their left hand, while the other is looking out from the costume.
Two people wearing aviator helmets and goggles in a yellow homemade airplane on grassy field, smiling and waving.
Two people wearing helmets and sunglasses outdoors, smiling, with cars and trees in the background.
Two smiling people outdoors wearing helmets, sunglasses, and outdoor gear, with cars and trees in the background.
A person parasailing with a yellow inflatable duck at the front of the parachute, against a clear blue sky. The parachute has the words 'Northwest Paragliding' written on it.
A person paragliding with a red wing and a yellow inflatable device, flying in a clear blue sky with the words 'Northwest Paragliding' printed on the wing.
A person paragliding with a red wing that has text on it, against a clear blue sky.
A person flying a red and white parachute with the text 'NORTHWEST PARAGLIDING' printed on it, soaring high in clear blue sky over treetops.
Two people in colorful clothing and helmets sitting on grass in a park, smiling and celebrating with a large yellow inflatable duck.
A man with a beard and long blonde hair smiling outdoors on a grassy field, dressed in colorful clothing with a floral shirt, red overalls, and a Santa hat decorated with pink, orange, and purple ribbons, and wearing glasses. He is holding a yellow p
A man with glasses, a colorful shirt, and a floral headpiece sits on a large inflatable rubber duck in a grassy field with wildflowers, holding up peace signs with both hands.
A man in colorful clothes wearing a helmet with protest ribbons, lying on the grass after an inflatable yellow object fell on him, near a woman standing nearby on a grassy field with dandelions.
Man smiling in a grassy field, wearing a helmet and sunglasses, holding colorful para-gliding equipment, with a large red, white, and gray parachute behind him and a forested area in the background.

Minimum Requirements

All pilots must meet the following before submitting an application.

    • Hold a current USHPA P4 (Advanced) rating or higher

    • Be a current USHPA member in good standing

    • Minimum 150 total paragliding flights

    • Minimum 25 flights from Poo Poo Point

    • Minimum 10 landings in technical or restricted LZs

    • Flown Poo Poo Point → Issaquah Middle School LZ successfully at least 3 times

    • Precision approaches and tight landing patterns

    • Downwind/base/final adjustments in limited space

    • Confident go/no-go decisions if the field becomes unsafe

    • Ability to divert to an alternate landing area if needed

    • Prior experience flying in costume

    • Demo flights, spot landing competitions, or public events

    • Familiarity with Issaquah Middle School LZ and surrounding wind patterns

    • Attend the required pilot safety briefing prior to the event

    • Follow all instructions from the launch director, LZ coordinator, and safety director

    • Fly only with an approved costume that has been tested in practice

    • Submit application and costume concept for review at least 2 weeks before the festival

A man with long blonde hair, glasses, and a beard smiling outdoors. He's wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt, red overalls, and a floral headpiece with pink, orange, and purple decorations. He is holding onto a yellow parachute or parachuting gear in a grassy field with trees in the background. Another person with similar gear is visible in the background.
People gathering around colorful paper-crafted animals and a yellow boat on grass under a blue sky, with a person flying a red and white parachute in the distance.

Costume Guidelines

All costumes must be approved by the event safety team. The guiding rule: if there is any doubt a costume could interfere with safe flight operations, it will not be approved.

    • Superhero shirts or themed jerseys

    • Animal ears or lightweight hats attached to helmet

    • Themed jumpsuits or onesies

    • Close-fitting character costumes

    • Small lightweight accessories secured to harness or clothing

    • Large drag-producing surfaces or giant wings

    • Inflatables larger than ~12 inches thick

    • Non-tethered hard props, staffs, swords, or rigid extensions

    • Anything attached to the canopy, lines, risers, or reserve

    • Full face masks reducing visibility or breathing

    • Pyrotechnics, smoke, confetti, or glitter

    • Anything covering the reserve handle or leg straps

  • Every costume must allow full unrestricted access to the reserve handle, harness buckles, speed bar, and brake toggles. Full head movement and 360° visibility required. Costumes must be tested during at least one practice flight. Final approval is at the sole discretion of the event safety director, who may revoke approval at launch.

Ready to Fly?

Apply by July 3, 2026

Submission of an application does not guarantee participation. All applicants will be reviewed by the organizers and safety team.

Apply to Participate

Questions? Austin@airecraftfest.com