Courses EP, CP, & P

Paragliding

All courses can be purchased using PayPal with the booking form to the right. You will then receive a voucher confirming the course booked. This is an excellent idea for a Christmas or Birthday present as well for someone you know who likes to challenge themselves, alternatively please send a message if you prefer an different peyment method.

Voucher Terms and Conditions

Flights take place all over N Ireland there are four main areas north coast Downhill/ Magilligan, the Sperrins near Dungiven, the Mournes, and nearer home at the Larne hills! It totally depends on wind / weather etc which one we chose, please advise which may suit you best. We are flying & training most weekends weather permitting end of March to October/ November. It is best if you contact us to arrange the flight on a Thursday / Friday evening when weather forecasts are checked for the weekend. Contact details are shown to right and also below, feel free to leave a message and we will get back. To arrange the flight a minimum of one days notice is required.

(Please note voucher is not transferable or refundable)

Paragliding One-day ‘Taster’ Course

Please Note: 1 day defined as 6 to 8 hrs of instruction.

To just try the sport a one-day`Taster' will give you the chance to try it for yourself and have fun at the same time. Given good wind and weather conditions you should achieve solo flights well before the end of the day. Students must be at least 14 years of age to take part legally in paragliding (except as a passenger on a tandem wing).

The courses are normally run with groups of no more than 3 people max 4 & can be tailored where a small group of friends wants to try paragliding together.

The first day starts with registration etc - and an introductory talk and approx. 20 mins of basic airflow theory in the dedicated classroom, then out to the hill 10- 15 mins away. You will be shown how to unpack the canopy and carry out equipment safety checks; handling the canopy on the ground, canopy inflation and launch techniques;launch, steering and landing practice; and parachute landing roll.

This is all done on a gentle slope with no chance of taking off until you have mastered the basic controls, the rest of the day is spent flying from further and further up the slope, getting higher each time and even a few right and left turns in before landing on safely at the bottom.

BHPA Elementary Pilot Certificate Course (EP)

£489 (£358 if 1 day taster already taken)

Can be done in 4 days.

Phase 1 - Ground Training

  1. Introductory talk - School instructors - risk warning health/medical conditions clothing/footwear - the BHPA - pilot rating scheme
  2. Site assessment - suitability for the exercises and the student +weather
  3. Introduction to canopy and equipment
  4. Avoiding/minimising injury - safety techniques

Phase 2 - Ground Handling

  1. Briefing - Checks - wind direction, airspeed control, flare/stall
  2. Preparation - Pre-flight Checks - paragliding helmet, harness, canopy .
  3. Inflation - Take-off - landing sequence practised - post-flight control.
  4. Directional control - how controls work, initiating turns, looking ahead.

Phase 3 - First Hops

  1. Getting airborne - take-off with good control of airspeed, in-flight control, landing and post-flight control.

Phase 4 - Flight exercises

  1. Eventualities briefing - preparation to deal with the unexpected.
  2. Commands and communications briefing.
  3. Responsibilities briefing - student becomes the pilot-in-command.
  4. Flights (1) straight flights (gradually up to 50ft ground clearance) maintaining course and airspeed.
  5. Flights (2) up to 100ft ground clearance, introducing turns.
  6. Flights (3) completing simple flight plans with increased height and turns of 90 degrees or more, with controlled landings in the intended area.

Phase 5 Theory lessons and examination.

  1. Meteorology - the weather affecting our sport
  2. Principles of flight - how the wing flies, what makes it turn,stability etc
  3. Rules of the air and air law.
  4. Elementary examination - multiple choice written paper.
  5. Student has reached a standard of airmanship and attitude to continue training in this discipline. Attitude is very important in the interests of safety of the student, fellow pilots and other Course Exercises - as specified by the BHPA:

Final assessment of Elementary stage

If successfull you can then move onto the BHPA Club Pilot level.

BHPA Club Pilot (Novice) Certificate Course (CPN)

£489 (£358 if 1 day taster already taken)

Can be done in 4 - 5 days.

Includes :-

  • all theory on principles of flight, air law, meteorology, principles of flight, site assessment, flight planning etc.
  • all flights individually planned, supervised and analysed.
  • BHPA Elementary and Club Pilot (Novice) ratings training.
  • elementary pilot training guide

Phase 6 - Pre-soaring.

  1. Theory: Further weather and site assessment, soaring flight theory,lift bands, flight planning, rules of the air.
  2. 180 degree turns: Demonstrate consistent competent unassisted launches and controlled turns up to 180 degrees and beyond.
  3. Planned Approaches: Demonstrate consistent competent controlled approaches (using different techniques) and landings in a designated area.

Phase 7 - Soaring.

  1. Soaring flight: Consistently using ridge lift to maintain and gain height.
  2. Top Landings: Demonstrate safe, consistent and controlled top landings on at least two sites or in different conditions [this task is now optional but usually covered by First Flight].
  3. Flying with others: Consistent competence in flying with others,observing the Rules of the Air and Collision Avoidance Rules.

Phase 8 - Improving Skills.

  1. Exploring the speed range: Competence in using the speed range of the paraglider, understand the hazards including the stall.
  2. Accelerator Systems: Competence in using accelerator systems and knowledge of their use and related dangers.
  3. Forward Launching: Demonstrate consistent competence in forward launching skills, under full control throughout.
  4. Reverse Launching: Demonstrate consistent competence in reverse launching skills, under full control throughout.
  5. Weight-shift and pitch-roll co-ordination in turns: Demonstrate consistent competence in steering the glider with weight-shift and in controlling pitch.
  6. Cross-wind and slope landings: Demonstrate consistent competence in cross wind and slope landings and understand when and how to use and associated hazards [this task is now optional but usually covered by First Flight].

Phase 9 - Instability & Emergencies

  1. Theory: Tree and water landing procedures, Parachute Landing Fall competence, emergency parachute systems, alternative control systems and dealing with instability and turbulence.
  2. Active flying: Coping with turbulence, including pitch control.
  3. Rapid descent techniques: The use of ‘big ears’ descent technique,including its limitations and hazards.
  4. Dealing with an asymmetric tuck: Demonstrate how to deal effectively with small tucks in flight.

Phase 10 - Theory & Exam

  1. Meteorology: More detailed knowledge of weather and conditions for safe flying.
  2. Principles of flight: Knowledge of how the wing flies; effect of controls; forces on a wing; stalls, spins etc.
  3. Rules of the Air and Airlaw: Airlaw governing paragliding activities,including controlled airspace and essential liaison with other air users.
  4. General Airmanship knowledge: Including human factors, flying abroad,repairs, inspections, coaching and clubs.
  5. Theory Examination: Two multiple choice written exam papers. A wrong answer to ANY Collision Avoidance question means automatic failure of the entire exam.

Final Assessment

Assessment of student’s attitude and standard of airmanship to fly safely and competently outside the supervision of a school.

Assessment of student’s attitude and standard of airmanship to fly safely and competently outside the supervision of a school.

BHPA Pilot Course also available.

BHPA Membership Requirements 16-APR 2018

Before Training can start all students must have BHPA membership (inclusive of 3rd party Insurance). This can be arranged through the school on the day of training.

Costs

  • £16.00 for 24 hrs
  • £84.00* for 3 months
  • £128.00* for Annual training membership

These payments are made directly to the BHPA British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. The association will send a copy of Training Wings plus monthly magazines to provide the new student with the necessary information required at the initial stage.

*Instructional Insurance Capitation Fee (IICF) £22 applies (First time student insurance supplement).

Before Lesson

The Main flying days are Fri Sat & Sun please message / e-mail or call a few days before heading to your lesson to confirm good weather conditions.

Student Attire

Boots with ankle support are recommended and old practical clothing is a good idea as it may get dirty. Any students wearing shorts and tee shirts may not be trained due to the lack of protection these provide.

Toilets

At The School house but there are none on the hills!

Lunch

Bring your own lunch and lots of refreshing drinks! (strictly no alcoholic drinks)