Peak Airsports Paragliding School

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Peak Airsports Hang Gliding Courses

Your Instructor

Mark Bosher is a Senior Instructor with the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA). He is also Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) of Peak Airsports.

Mark started parachuting in the late 80’s, then started his flying career in 1992. Mark has flown Sailplanes (gliders) for five years, paragliders and hang gliders in the Peak District for fifteen years. Furthermore Mark has an intimate knowledge of the area’s geography and meteorology. He is also an active pilot flying powered hang gliders and para-motors (FLPA). Mark is a Senior Instructor for both hang gliding and paragliding Hill and Tow. He is also tandem pilot licensed for both disciplines and is active with the local club as a committee member. When not working Mark is also a club coach, helping other pilots to improve there flying skills and the understanding of the sport that is free-flight. Mark has taught paragliding and hang gliding in France, Turkey, Spain and Lanzarote, as well as the United Kingdom.

One Day Taster

Our one day taster course is an introduction to hang gliding and the BHPA training syllabus. We have orientated this course so that it is specifically for people who are seriously considering taking up hang gliding as a hobby. If you would like to just experience a flight on a hang glider, then a Tandem Hang Gliding flight would be an ideal way to experience hang gliding without the commitment of a full day.

You will be within a small group of people taking part in this day. You will learn the basic safety aspects and theory of flight before spending the day making launches, practice landings and hang glider control, all under your own control while under instruction. By the end of the day you will be tired but happy, having achieved a good degree of competency and confidence on a wing that you probably thought wasn’t possible at the beginning of the day. If the conditions allow it, you may have made some short flights or 'crow-hops' down the gentle training slope.

You will aim to complete the BHPA training syllabus phases 1 and 2 and possibly have started phase 3.

Phase 1	1	Introduction: BHPA membership; risk warning; site discipline and school rules; student’s health/medical conditions explanation of Training Programme and Pilot Rating Scheme; Student Training Record book; clothing / footwear.
	2	Site Assessment briefing: site and any site hazards; airflow and airflow hazards; weather assessment.
	3	Equipment introduction: parts and function of the wing, harness and helmet; how an aerofoil creates lift; daily inspections demonstrated, practiced and understood.
	4	Avoiding and minimizing injury: safety techniques discussed, when and how to use them – demonstrated and practiced to a good degree of competence.
Phase 2	5	Briefing: pre-flight checks, taking off and landing into wind, airspeed control, the ‘flare’
	6	Preparation: putting on the helmet and harness, pre-flight checks.
	7	running with the wing: learning to flare / stall the wing on landing and the ‘post-flight’ control.
	8	Directional control: making turns whilst running with the wing on the ground.
Phase 3	9	Getting Airborne: the student will practice taking off, making small flights (typically no more than 5 metres ground clearance with teathers), and controlled landings.

Two Day Taster

The student will have learned all of the above, plus moving further up the slope to acheive slightly higher flights while on teathers. If the conditions allow and the student is making good control inputs, some of the teathers may be removed to give the student more 'feel' for the glider. The student should have completed phase 3, by the end of the training day.

The BHPA Membership

When you first enrol on your course, you have to join the BHPA in one of two options. Membership gives you third party liability Insurance. No instructor will teach you without this membership and subsequently as you progress to flying independently on club sites, those clubs and its members will not permit flying without suitable insurance.

The above prices include all training and the provision and use of specialist equipment (if needed), i.e. glider, harness & helmet. In the event of damage to equipment students may be required to contribute to repair or replacement of parts, dependent on circumstances. Membership of the BHPA is mandatory and provides legal liability insurance (third party) and can be obtained at the start of your flying from Peak Airsports.

Morning 'Check-in' on the Day of your Hill Flying Course

Hill training classes start at 9:30am or 10:00am; you will be informed of the planned start time for your class at the time you book your day. Tandem flights are often available after the hill flying class on most days. Spectators, photographers, friends and family members are always welcome, but no dogs please.

Occasionally, we find it necessary to cancel or postpone a hill flying class after it has already begun. If this happens during your class, we'll issue you a 'credit-note' to come back and finish your class on another day at no extra cost. No refunds are issued after a class has started.

Tell us if you're planning to travel the day before your lesson, and we'll advise you on the weather for that day and if it is likely to be unfavourable on the training day. We'll really work hard to prevent you from wasting a trip and if we have reason to doubt the weather...We will suggest that you try another day.

Weather Check: Call between 7:00-8:00pm the evening before your training day to check the weather forecast with us. (07703062721)

Terms and Conditions

Gift Certificates for hang gliding and paragliding are valid for 12 months after issue and may be extended upon request before the expiry date. They are non-redeemable for cash and non-refundable, however they are transferable to other cources.

Courses are valid for six months each, EPC & CP are not transferable.

Clothing

No special clothing is required but loose fitting clothes such as a tracksuit or jeans and fleece are ideal. We do have special flying jackets if conditions demand. Walking boots are the most suitable footwear. The full course is 10 to 12 days in duration which progresses you to the restricted licence to fly solo. There are also a number of days where you are supervised after the course, which are included in the package. Training days may occur one day at a time or consecutively and this will depend on the weather conditions. If you commence with a Tandem Instructional Flight and choose to continue to acquire your 'Licence', the cost of this tandem is deducted from the cost of the Course.

Accommodation in the Peak District Nation Park

Accommodation is not included in the course fees. Students are expected to make their own arrangements when and if necessary. Peak Airsports supports the local community as much as possible and the following options are recommended:

Don’t forget to:

• Once you have booked in, call us between 7:00pm and 8:00pm the evening before your course to establish that the weather is suitable. Tel: (07703 062 721)
• bring the balance of the payments for your course (if applicable)
• bring some stout walking boots if possible
• bring some lunch and a drink
• Have fun! Hang gliding is one of the most thrilling and exciting sports, but like any new skill, it takes time to learn. You may aspire to high flights, thermal soaring or hang glider acrobatics, but by taking your time, you will appreciate and learn something from every flight you make!

Copyright © 2006-2007 Mark Bosher