One Day Taster Course
Our one day taster course is an introduction to paragliding and the BHPA training syllabus. We have orientated this course so that it is specifically for people who are seriously considering taking up paragliding as a hobby. If you would like to just experiance a flight on a paraglider a tandem flight would be an ideal way to experiance paragliding 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 paraglider control, all under your own control. By the end of the day you will be tired but happy, having achieved a good degree of competency and confidence on the 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, including parachute landing falls (PLFs), 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, wing layout, pre-flight checks. | |
| 7 | Inflation: learning to inflate the wing, collapsing it, 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), controlled landings. |
If you then wish to go on to the Elementary Pilot course, this day counts as one of the Elementary Pilot course days.
The balance to pay to upgrade to the Elementary Pilot course after doing the One day taster course is £360 and you will have to join the BHPA as an annual or training member. This fee is not included in the cost of the elementary pilot course or the upgrade course.
Additional Information
It is important to have realistic expectations when learning to paraglide. Paragliding is a weather-dependant sport, and it can be frustrating at times when the weather is unsuitable for flying. If you are patient and you persevere, the rewards can be fulfilling and life-changing! If you are not a patient person, we most respectfully suggest that you consider another pastime. It is possible that some days you book have to be cancelled because the weather in not suitable for flying. Our primary aim is to make you a competent and safe pilot, and consequently we are very selective about the conditions we let you fly in.
What Happens if the Weather is Unsuitable?
We ask you to call the school (between 7:00pm and 8:00 pm) the evening before your course date to establish if the forecast is suitable for flying. We take forecasts from many sources; the Duty Instructor’s decision about whether to run the course or not is final.
If the weather forecast is unsuitable, you can re-book the day at a later date. We will try and fit you in as soon as possible after your cancelled day and if we are booked-up on the day you choose, we shall suggest the nearest available date.
If the weather deteriorates during your training day, we look at the hours training you have already done that day, and credit the remaining hours to another day.
Cancellations
Seven days notice is required for cancellation of booked dates. Whilst no refund will be made, the deposit/ fee already paid will be credited against a rebooking. In the event that a course is wholly or partially unable to take place due to weather conditions, a proportionate credit will be allowed against a future date to be apportioned at the Duty Instructor’s discretion depending on circumstances.
Clothing
Bear in mind that courses take place in the outdoors, on exposed windy hillsides. Paragliding is a low activity sport so make sure you have enough warm, wind-proof clothing and gloves. You are not likely to be near convenient shelter so bring a waterproof jacket and trousers. Lastly, a sturdy lightweight pair of walking boots is strongly advisable. If you have your own climbing helmet you may prefer to bring this along.
Food
If weather permits, you will be on the hill all day. We eat on the hill so ensure you bring lunch with you.
Meeting Point
The Woodbine Café is known locally as the spot where all flyers congregate, and this is where we meet at 9:30am for a 10:00am start. The Woodbine Cafe is situated next to the Petrol Station in Hope on the main Hope Valley Road (A625). We will normally be back at the cars for 5pm. If traveling by train this rendezvous is a quarter of a mile east of Hope Station.
Weather Check
Telephone us between 7:00pm and 8:00pm the evening before your course commences to check weather conditions.