British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association Membership

The BHPA sets the training syllabus for registered hang gliding and paragliding schools like Peak Airsports to offer paragliding tuition and hang gliding lessons. It’s the sports controlling body, recognized by the Civil Aviation Authority and examines and issue licenses to instructors and schools. It also sets the rules by which all pilots are expected to fly and provides the mandatory third-party insurance all pilots must have.

In order to learn to paraglide or hang glide when you first enrol on your course, you MUST join the BHPA (British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association) as it provides your with the necessary 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 or BHPA membership.

You have the following two options;

1. Mandatory BHPA 3 Month Training Membership – £60

This is ideal for those who do not want to commit to a full 12 month annual membership. There is a one-off joining fee of £15, plus the Training Membership of £45, which is valid for three months and includes three copies of the monthly BHPA magazine – Skywings.

2. Mandatory BHPA Annual Membership – £104

This your initial one-off joining fee of £15, plus the 12 month annual subscription of £84 and 12 copies of the monthly BHPA magazine –  Skywings.

Concessionary Membership. Under 21, Full-time education and over 60 available on request.

Example of Course & BHPA Costs

Option 1 Example: a ‘Elementary Pilot’ (EP) course would cost [£500+£45+£15 joining fee]=£560 with BHPA 3 Month Training Membership

Option 2 Example: a ‘Elementary Pilot’ (EP) course would cost [£500+£89+£15 joining fee]=£604 with BHPA Annual Membership.

We can also provide personal accident insurance for flying, through Airsports Insurance Bureau.

If you wish to book a course with us, please first read the important information below, then contact us either by phone or e-mail to discuss availability of course places. Please remember that we only accept thirty trainee pilots a year, and places fill up fast.

BHPA Registered Schools Public Liability Insurance

In September 2003, the BHPA’s insurers reduced instructors and schools liability insurance from £2 million to £25,000.

At Peak Airsports we have a comprehensive School Safety Policy to ensure that risks to your safety are kept as low as reasonable practicable, which includes:

• Regular maintenance and inspection of all equipment to ensure safe working order.
• Making regular risk assessments of all training sites and weather conditions whilst we are using the sites for training.
• Following the BHPA’s Training Syllabus, Guidance for Instructors and The Technical Manual.

Paragliding and hang gliding is a form of aviation with all of the inherent and potential dangers that are involved in aviation. No form of aviation is without risk, and injuries and deaths do occur in the sport, even to trained pilots using proper equipment. Whilst Peak Airsports endeavours to minimize this risk as far as is reasonably practicable, it cannot be eliminated altogether. No one should participate in paragliding who does not recognize and wish to personally assume liability and the associated risks.

Before embarking on one of our courses, we ask you to read and sign our safety agreement and school rules, which is included in your Peak Airsports Training Pack and has been put in place for your benefit and safety. Without this Peak Airsports will not be able to continue your training.

Please contact us if you wish to discuss the issues above before booking a course.