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

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Various powered flight guides are available from online retailers, for example the Microlight Pilot’s Handbook (Cosgrove) It's the same freedom that hang glider pilots enjoy, but a paraglider is more portable and a little easier to learn to fly. They are more hampered by strong winds than hang gliders, but are easier to land in small fields. Full size paragliders undergo rigorous testing of their flight safety characteristics by an independent test house, and are given a rating to an EN Standard. There are very few speed flying wings that are tested to this standard and therefore very little independent data of speed wings' flight safety characteristics. A flight safety standard for speed wings may be developed in the future, but for the present most speed flying wings are classed as uncertified.

Errors in the office computer system are few, but pilots can sometimes not get credited with a qualification, such as a tow endorsement, because they or the training establishment they attended have not advised the BHPA office of the qualification attained. Speed flying is a sport based on the principles of paragliding, but using a specially designed wing to fly fast hill descents. Paragliding is serene gliding and soaring, using thermic lift to make cross-country flights on wings that are typically over 20 square meters (sq.m) in wing surface area. Speed flying wings are significantly smaller than paragliders, with a higher wing loading that enables them to travel at high speed. Skilled pilots use speed wings to make rapid descents flying close to the terrain. 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. Modern hang gliders and paragliders can be launched by running off a hill, or by being towed into the air on a line attached to a winch on the ground. 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.This training and badge award takes the EP pilot to the final level of basic training. The CP training will take the EP pilot and give them experience in flying along the ridge among other more advanced practical areas of hang gliding or paragliding. The trainee pilot will also have to pass basic examinations in aviation law and some air navigation (i.e. rights of way in the air) knowledge. Once the CP badge is gained, the pilot can join a recreational club and fly outside of the school system. 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 has an associated charity Flyability that aims to make hang gliding and paragliding accessible to disabled people. [6] Proficiency levels [ edit ] You can also learn to fly in an airfield environment, using a winch to tow you aloft. Training takes less time and you can convert to hill flying later if you choose to. A team of 4,768 people managing and developing 2,951 parks across the UK, 184 elected to serve and support our Branch network, we remain a connected Association and a true demonstration of teamwork and strength in numbers.

Paragliding competitions are held at club, national and international level, and the 'Brits' usually do well in international competitions. Once airborne, the paramotor can be used to motor along and watch the world go by beneath you or, if conditions permit, soared in thermal lift to make long cross-country flights. Angus is an elected member of the BHPA Executive Council and is the Chairman of the Flying and Safety Committee. He has held these posts for what sometimes seems like forever, and before amalgamation with the BAPC he was Chairman of the BHPA Training Committee. 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.

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.A strong believer in coherence, team work, effective leadership and risk management, Jenny's experience on military duty and operational deployments lends itself well to the world of free flight. The British Holiday & Home Parks Association - established exclusively to serve and represent the interests of the parks industry in the UK. You'll make friends, go places and achieve things that you may have only dreamed about in the past.