Learn to fly a hang glider at a BHPA Registered School

learn to Fly a Hang Glider

Learning to fly a hang glider can be great fun and isn‘t as difficult as you might think.

Instruction for beginners is available from a UK network of BHPA registered schools.

These offer a wide range of courses that combine practical instruction, with an explanation of airlaw, meteorology and the principals of flight.

During training a strong emphasis is always placed on safety, and students are encouraged to progress at their own individual rate.

Hang gliding tuition in the UK is usually either hill based or aerotow based.

If you opt for a hill based course, initial training takes place on gentle slopes, with three tether ropes attached to the glider. These are later slackened, and then finally removed when your instructor is certain that you are ready to progress to true solo flight.

If you opt for an aerotow based course, instruction is initially by tandem flights with an experienced instructor, towed behind a microlight tug up to an altitude that gives you time to get comfortable with the controls and progress in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere. Once you are qualified as a hang gliding aerotow pilot, you can then do a conversion course to qualify as a hill pilot. Aerotow based courses can be a bit more expensive, but they do claim to be a faster route as they are less affected by bad weather.

If you‘re still not sure if the sport is for you, most hill schools offer a one day taster course that usually includes a series of low level tethered flights during the course of the day. Most aerotow schools also offer a taster day, but because they provide one to one tuition, their taster days can be a bit more expensive. If on the other hand you‘re yearning to stay aloft for hours at a time soaring with the birds on warm currents of rising air, then you‘ll need to attend both an EP and a CP course.

An EP (Elementary Pilot) course will take a minimum of 4 days, at the end of which you‘ll be able to self launch on a training glider and make a short flight with a ground clearance of around 40ft.

Given the right conditions another four days could see you well on your way to completing your CP (Club Pilot) course. This is the absolute minimum level of skill required before students are able to leave the school and start to fly within a local club environment.

Club coaches now take over from school instructors, and are able to guide you through the tricky transitional period, and oversee your long term development as a pilot.

Later on, after you‘ve been flying for a year or two, you might even want to consider taking a paragliding conversion course, and that way have the best of both worlds.
 
It all sounds too easy doesn‘t it?

In the right conditions, learning to fly a hang glider is actually fairly straightforward. Unfortunately the weather is often less than ideal, and the ensuing delays can be a test of patience and determination. But it really is worth it in the end!

How much will it cost?


You will also need to take out third party insurance cover through membership of the BHPA. The cost of BHPA membership for one day is £10, three months BHPA training membership currently costs £55, and annual membership of the BHPA costs £92 for the first year. Three Month Training and Annual BHPA membership also include a copy of Skywings magazine each month.

Initially the school will provide all the equipment required, but later you will need to purchase your own. New and second hand equipment can often be purchased directly from the school, or privately through advertisements in Skywings magazine, or our online classified advertisements.

An intermediate glider will cost around £1,900 - £3,000 new, or £600 - £1,500 second hand. A new full face helmet will cost around £90 - £150, and a second hand harness anywhere between £125 - £250. A new reserve parachute will set you back a further £350 - £400.

Once you have gained your Club Pilot (CP) rating, joined a club like the SEWHG&PGC, and have logged around 30 - 40 hours you may want to buy a high performance glider.

This can cost as little as £400 - £600 for an older but serviceable glider, or you can spend around £1,200 - £2,400 for a more recent second hand model. A new high performance glider is however likely to set you back in access of £4,000. Most schools are also dealers, and should be able to offer detailed advice, and arrange a demo flight on a suitable glider.

What‘s the next step?

The next step is to contact a local BHPA registered hang gliding school to discuss the courses they have on offer. If you‘re still unsure about taking up hang gliding, you can always arrange to meet the school on the hill. That way you can see the teaching techniques the school uses at first hand, and talk to some of their students.

So come on take that step and contact your nearest BHPA registered hang gliding school today!

Please click on the appropriate image for further information about learning to fly a hang glider or paraglider at a BHPA Registered School, or for guidance on the likely cost of instruction and equipment. The training programme you‘ll follow will depend on your chosen wing, and the conditions prevailing on the day. But the goal is ultimately the same - to obtain your Club Pilot rating, and fly solo within the safe and friendly environment of a BHPA recreational club, like the SE Wales Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club.

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