The BHPA Pilot Handbook: The Complete Guide to Paraglider and Hang Glider Training and Advancement

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Developed from parachuting canopies, modern paragliders can be soared effortlessly on windward slopes, and flown across country in good conditions. The BHPA oversees pilot and instructor training standards, and provides technical support such as airworthiness standards, and coaching courses for qualified hang gliding and paragliding pilots. Shortly after you obtain a new rating or endorsement you should be issued with an up-to-date BHPA membership card showing your new qualification. Hang gliders and paragliders are fully fledged aircraft, and as with any aircraft, carefully structured professional pilot training is essential if serious accidents are to be avoided.

Flyability doesn't simply take people with disabilities flying, it strives to motivate people with disabilities to become involved in the sport of hang gliding and paragliding and to train as pilots. Human powered flight has been out of public awareness since the English Channel was crossed nearly 30 years ago by Bryan Allen in the Gossamer Albatross. Then, subject to a good assessment from your instructor and passing a simple theory examination, you'll receive your Club Pilot rating. This will allow you to start flying with your local recreational club, and progress towards more and more rewarding flying as your experience grows.After a few minutes spent inspecting your equipment you put on your helmet and harness, look around, allow the wind to raise the canopy of your glider and launch off into space. This is paragliding! BHPA Registered Schools will train you at a rate of progress that is suitable for you. They are monitored for safety, the quality of the training they offer, and the equipment they use, and their instructors are licensed by the Association. The majority of young people in the UK are probably not even aware that it is possible to take off from level ground and fly with human power at all. Many paramotor pilots are paraglider pilots looking for more flexibility in their flying; many others are new to flying but become interested in paramotoring, and then in pure paragliding flight too. One Day Introductory Membership is only valid on the day of issue and you must therefore only apply on the actual day of your taster course.

The BHPA is recognised [1] by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the Royal Aero Club, [2] and the Civil Aviation Authority. [3] The association has registered schools across the country, where initial paragliding or hang gliding training must be undertaken. [4] Skywings is a full colour monthly magazine published by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Ltd to inform, educate and entertain those in the sports of Paragliding and Hang Gliding. When you've become adept at ground handling, controlling airspeed and making gentle turns, you'll graduate to higher and longer flights, and be introduced to a limited amount of flying theory. This will usually be fitted in around your practical flying instruction, when the weather's not so good. Once you've completed the appropriate tasks and passed a very simple theory exam, you'll receive your Elementary Pilot award. This is the first step on the ladder of the BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme. Whilst BHPA recreational clubs are always willing to offer advice and encouragement, initial instruction should always be undertaken at a BHPA registered school.The BHPA has an associated charity Flyability that aims to make hang gliding and paragliding accessible to disabled people. [6] Proficiency levels [ edit ] Steve spent his career designing engines and powertrains for Land Rover, New Mini and Aston Martin. He has now retired and has the time and enthusiasm to try to put his experience and organisational skills to good use on Exec. He believes that he has a good understanding of how we can work hard to improve things for all members of the flying community, whilst working closely with the respective external communities to ensure good relations and the ongoing free spirited nature of the sport. He absolutely loves flying and genuinely wishes for a positive experience for everyone in our sport.

Outside BHPA business, Martin is a full-time solicitor based in Peterborough working in the healthcare sector with particular interest in litigation and inquest handling.Martin regards himself as a "newbie" to the sport having only seriously taken it up in 1999. He has served on Exec for the past sixteen years, but has now retired from active flying due to a knee problem. In 1986 he started flying paragliders. In 1991, having been elected Chairman of the BHPA, he also started flying in parascending competitions, achieving a Team Bronze in the 1994 Nationals at Middle Wallop. He started flying powered hang gliders when they became legal and now most regularly flies his Doodlebug in Snowdonia. He also flies his hang glider or paraglider whenever weather and time allow. He has a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and worked for a while with a small Scottish hang glider manufacturer, as well as being a part-time Instructor. In 1979 he made his first hang glider flight, and has been a member of the Lanarkshire and Lothian Soaring Club since then. He has flown throughout the UK and Europe and in many competitions at home and abroad, including the World Championships at Fiesch, Switzerland, in 1989. Whilst a hard copy of your membership card will continue to be issued for the foreseeable future, it's also available via the BHPA membership app.