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

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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. Many people may think that flying hang gliders and paragliders is impossible for people with disabilities. Nothing could be further from the truth.

But it is, thanks to the work of the RAeS Human Powered Flight group, who are now part of the BHPA free flight community. Speed flying wings are usually between 12 and 18 sq.m in area. Below about 12 sq.m, the wings are used predominantly for speed riding which is foot-launching on snow with skis. Bridging the gap between speed wings and full size paragliders are mini wings. These are essentially mini paragliders with wing areas between 16 and 20 sq.m and are often used for hike and fly. The BHPA Flying Safety Committee (FSC) has developed a Club Pilot training syllabus specifically for people who want to learn to make hill descent flights on speed wings. Certain BHPA schools have been authorised to deliver the new speed flying syllabus as a trial course to ab-initio pilots and experienced flyers from other disciplines. The Speed Flying Club Pilot rating (non soaring: max wind speed 20mph) can be issued following successful completion of the Speed Flying Club Pilot course. This includes a written exam covering practical aspects of speed flying as well as air law, theory of flight and meteorology. The speed flying syllabus and its associated rating is for speed flying hill descents - it does not involve ridge soaring. The FSC deems it necessary to hold a Club Pilot (Hill) rating to undertake this activity, and the paragliding Club Pilot hill syllabus covers ridge soaring and the rules of the air associated with soaring and sustained flight. 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] The BHPA has a network of schools that employ licensed instructors, some of whom specialise in speed flying and are taking part in a trial to deliver the BHPA's new speed flying Club Pilot syllabus. The following schools are currently taking part in that trial:You'll make friends, go places and achieve things that you may have only dreamed about in the past. BHPA recreational clubs also provide the supportive flying and social environment that is so important for newly qualified pilots when they leave the familiar school environment for the first time. Theoretical knowledge, gained through reading and lectures, is demonstrated via the BHPA Pilot exam. This exam is a multiple choice paper containing questions on airlaw and navigation, meteorology, principles of flight and general airmanship. Pilots flying with a motor (paramotors and self-propelled hang gliders) usually sit the Pilot (Power) paper, and those free flying (without a motor) sit the Generic Pilot paper. These are usually invigilated by Club Coaches.

As BHPA External Representation Officer Marc sat on the Royal Aero Club Council as the BHPA delegate and served as RAeC Chairman for 3 years in the mid 1990s. He is currently a Vice-President of the RAeC. He has also served as a Trustee of the RAeC Trust and Flyability. Paramotors (also known as a Powered Paragliders) combine the easy flying characteristics of a paraglider with the autonomy and range of powered flight. Professionally she has served in the Military Medical Services for the last 16 years, has an MSc in Trauma Management and is now working in London as a Commander in the Royal Navy. During this time, she served as Treasurer in the Army HPA and latterly 2 years as Chair of the RNHPA. Angus was founder Chairman of the International Hang Glider Standards Organisation, and for the last ten years has been the Co-ordinator of the CEN Paraglider Standards Working Group, steering the creation of the CEN paraglider Flight Test and Load Test standards.

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. BHPA Power qualifications are for solo flight only. No BHPA dual power qualification is currently available. To reiterate: BHPA power qualified pilots are not authorised, trained or insured to fly with passengers. scholarships are available for women pilots of all levels and all types of flying to raise their flying game. Training and badge award takes a complete beginner and gives them ground-handling training and first flights from the top to the bottom of a gentle hill. The BHPA also has a disability initiative called Flyability. This reports directly to the BHPA's Executive Council on disability related matters within the sport.

If you do, you'll also find that the level of support and camaraderie amongst pilots is one of the many great strengths of the sport. Flights of over 250km have been made by paraglider pilots in this country. Abroad, especially in the Alpine regions, the potential is infinitely greater, and many British pilots take advantage of the paraglider's portability to visit Europe or more exotic locations further afield. Paragliding is a great community. You'll often find championship-winning pilots comparing notes with novices. Both know that their sport is perhaps the simplest and most intuitive way of flying yet devised. If you want to enjoy the challenges that only being truly at one with the elements can provide, book a training course today!

Free Flight

The BHPA has an associated charity Flyability that aims to make hang gliding and paragliding accessible to disabled people. [6] Proficiency levels [ edit ] 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. BHPA schools teach people to fly in a progressive way - before undertaking high flights, many short, low flights are made in gentle conditions. These training flights on gentle slopes allow student pilots to practise launches and landing approaches and the fundamental skill of wing control on the ground and in the air. Please use the following form to apply for membership of the British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (BHPA) or renew your BHPA membership. Required fields are indicated with an (*). Once this is mastered your instructor will turn to the power unit, and you will learn how to assemble and disassemble it (this is for easy transport, not a major stripdown!), start the paramotor, control the throttle, and undertake basic routine maintenance. Your instructor will also explain torque and thrust effects, and discuss safety issues.

A few days of practice should see you well on your way to completing the tasks for your Elementary Pilot award. You'll also be introduced to a limited amount of flying theory, usually fitted in around your Flying opportunities limited by work and single parenting, Jenny is simply content to get off the ground by HG or PG whenever the planets align. Happiest flying at Perranporth, Bradwell Edge or the Alps and always with a smile.Most schools offer training in a wide range of flying disciplines, so it's important to understand the differences between the disciplines before choosing a school. Paragliding competitions are held at club, national and international level, and the 'Brits' usually do well in international competitions. There are two strands to Pilot rating: demonstrating skills attained through practical flying tasks, and demonstrating theoretical knowledge. The flying tasks are completed in the club environment, being guided by Coaches or Instructors. 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. Being in the wrong place and height on your paramotor could be catastrophic – and at best could land you with a huge fine. Learning to read an Aeronautical Chart and how to navigate is not difficult – your Instructor will guide you through this.