At MWPGC we provide courses and instruction to meet the requirements of all grades of pilot whether it is your first experience of paragliding or you are quite competent and require challenges outside your normal flight routine and locations.

We are well equipped to provide support for residential, group and corporate needs.

The day normally starts with a classroom or at the hill session where the first thing we do is to get the students to join the BHPA (British Hangliding & Paragliding Association) as a day member, (this is included in the price of the day course) and is mandatory for everyone who takes part in paragliding through the BHPA.  The membership DOES  include legal liability insurance to cover you in the event of a claim being made against you for injury to another person or damage to property caused by your actions.

Next we issue each student the (STR) Student Training Record. What is the Student Training Record? This book details all the exercises which make up the training programme that you are following. Your instructor and you must use it to record your progress both in the main section and in the log section at the back. You should use it to ensure you fully understand each new exercise before it is attempted. Your student training record will be retained by your school.

Below is the outline of what is covered on a 1 day taster course.

Day 1:  starts off with 3 phases and 9 exercises to get through which are as follows:

Phase 1 GROUND TRAINING

Objective: The student should have a basic understanding of the sport and its risks, a basic understanding of the equipment and site environment, and understand how to avoid/minimise injury as a result of mishap. The student must also complete the mandatory administration steps.

Exercise 1: Introductory talk – Student and instructors – Risk warning – students’ health and medical conditions – clothing and footwear – The BHPA and the Pilot rating scheme.

Exercise 2: Site assessment and briefing – site and any site hazards – airflow and airflow hazards – weather assessment.

Exercise 3: Introduction to the canopy and equipment – parts and functions of the canopy, harness, helmet – how an aerofoil creates lift – daily inspections explained demonstrated, practised and understood.

Exercise 4: Avoiding and minimising injury – Safety techniques discussed, including parachute landing falls (PLF’s), when and how to use them, demonstrated and practised to a good degree of competence.

Phase 2 GROUND HANDLING

Objective: Through ground based activity the student should achieve a reasonable and consistent level of competence at preparing the equipment for flight: inflating the canopy; running with it whilst looking ahead; maintaining direction; flaring and collapsing the canopy.

Exercise 5: Briefing – Pre flight checks – importance of taking off and landing into wind – airspeed control – flare/stall.

Exercise 6:  Preparation - putting on the helmet and harness – canopy layout – pre flight checks.

Exercise 7: inflation  – take-offs practised to a stage of running with an inflated canopy (forward/reverse  inflation method as appropriate to the conditions) – looking ahead – flare – collapsing the canopy – post – ‘flight’ control and moving of the canopy

Exercise 8: Directional control – How the controls work for directional control – initiating turns – lookout and looking ahead.

Phase 3 FIRST HOPS

Objective the student should combine the skills practised on the ground in phase 2 to make straight ground skimming flights (typically less than 5m/15ft ground clearance

Exercise 9: Getting airborne – The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at taking-off maintaining the correct in flight control position for good airspeed, the landing flare/landing, and post-landing control of the canopy.

Should any of the students want to carry on with paragliding after doing the day course then the day they have done will carry over as the first day of the (EP) elementary course which is the first part to gaining a licence to fly a paraglider. After completing the EP course a further (CP) club pilot course is needed to then be allowed to join the local flying club and fly with-out the need of an instructor.

Download the day taster info CLICK HERE

£160

Day 1 will cover the above

Day 2 will cover the following Flight  exercises

Objective: The student should be capable of acting as pilot-in command at the Elementary level.

These exercises MUST be completed in the order listed.

Exercise 10: Eventualities briefing – the need to prepare, before take-off, plans to deal with the unexpected.

Exercise 11: Commands and communications briefing - this must include signal bats, radio, etc., as appropriate.

Exercise 12: Responsibilities briefing – from this point the student becomes the ‘pilot in command’ and will be in a position to determine the course of the flight.

Exercise13:. Flights  – Maintaining course and airspeed The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence and confidence flying at an increased ground clearance (maximum 15m/50ft) and in making the directional control corrections required to maintain a straight course. At least 4 successful flights must be achieved. Direct communication from the Instructor must be available.

Exercise 14: Flights  – Introducing turns The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence and confidence whilst flying with a greater ground clearance (maximum 30m/100ft), maintaining good airspeed control and making gentle turns. The student should be briefed on turns, the need to avoid low turns and the need for lookout. The turns should be of no more than 90’ (ie. less than 45’ from directly into wind). Direct communication from the Instructor should be available. At least 4 successful flights must be made.

Should you decide at the end of the 2 days you want to carry on with training then the days you have done will go towards the course and the price you paid for the 2 days will be deducted off the price of the course.

£300

This course is 3 – 4 days depending on how quick you learn, you will cover the day 1 and day 2 tasks outlined above and the following exercises will take you to the end of the EP level.

Exercise 15: Flights  – Completing simple flight plans The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence and confidence when making flights with a further increased ground clearance. Flights should involve unassisted launches, turns of 90’ or more with good lookout, good airspeed control and controlled landings in a defined area. The student should be briefed on turns and the need for lookout. At least 4 successful flights must be made. Any increases in altitude must be progressive.

Phase 5: Theory and examination

Objective: Through lectures, lessons, talks and personal study the student should achieve the required knowledge level in these subject areas.

Exercise16: Meteorology

Exercise17: Principles of flight

Exercise18: Rules of the air and air law

Exercise19: Elementary stage examination completed and all incorrect answers de-briefed and discussed.

Final assessment of Elementary Stage

Exercise20: I have checked that the training detailed above has been completed and confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, this student has the right attitude to flying and has reached the standard of airmanship required to continue training in this discipline.

£499

CLUB PILOT (NOVICE) STAGE

Before undertaking these exercises the student must have successfully completed the BHPA Elementary Stage Paragliding (Hill). Check flight/s may be required in circumstances where there has been a significant interruption in the training programme or a significant change of environment.

Whilst these exercises are laid out in a logical sequence, the Instructor may vary the order to suit site and weather opportunities. The Instructor and student should reach each objective carefully and be certain that the exercise has been completed in full before signing that it has been achieved.

In certain circumstances environmental constraints may make it impossible to progressively increase height/turns exactly as indicated in the text. In such situations the Instructor may exercise reasonable judgement in accordance with the advice contained in the Instructors Notes. These stress the need for height/turn increases to be progressive and that extra consolidation flying is required if height/turn increases are to be larger than those indicated.

Phase 6: Pre-soaring

Objective: The student should be ready to attempt soaring flight.

Exercise 21: Theory - The student should have a refreshed and expanded understanding of site assessment (including hazards, turbulence and rotor), weather assessment (including wind strength measurement, wind gradients and venture effect), flight planning (including the importance of building in options), Rules of the Air, ridge protocols, airflow around ridges, lift bands, soaring patterns, all turns away from the hill, the need to keep a good lookout.

Exercise22: 180’ turns - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at flights involving unassisted launches and controlled turns of up to and beyond 180’. Instructor supervision to be advisory in nature (briefings and de-briefings).

Exercise23: Planned approaches - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at planning flights and landing approaches, by making a controlled landing within10m/30ft of a designated target at least 4 times. Techniques should include the constant aspect approach and ‘S’ turns. Instructor supervision to be advisory in nature (briefings and de-briefings).

Phase 7: Soaring

Objective: The student should demonstrate a reasonable and consistent level of competence at ridge soaring and top landing.

Exercise24: Soaring flight - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at utilising ridge lift to maintain or gain height. This will include flying beats in a controlled manner and with good lookout. A minimum of 3 flights approx. 10 minutes (or equivalent) must be completed, at least one of which must be completed either on a separate site or on a separate day.

Exercise 25: The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at top landings, demonstrating good airspeed control, good flight planning, accurate approaches and good canopy control after touchdown. A minimum of 4 top landings must be completed either on a separate sight or on a separate day.

Exercise 26: Flying with others - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at flying with others, showing a good awareness of other craft and their characteristics.
This exercise must be strictly controlled with new elements and aircraft introduced gradually. The briefing must include checking the student’s level of understanding of collision avoidance rules and wake vortices.

Phase 8: Improving skills

Exercise 27: Exploring the speed range - The student should be competent and confident at using the paraglider’s normally used speed range. They should also understand the hazards associated with fast and slow flight and be familiar with recognising the symptoms of a stall. The student should also have a basic understanding of the speed to fly concept. Approaching the stall and deliberate stalls must be avoided (other than during ground handling).

Exercise 28. Accelerator systems - The student should understand the uses and limitations of accelerator systems (and trim setting devices) and be proficient and confident at using an accelerator system. This exercise should include a warning about inappropriate use of accelerator’s  to attempt to fly in strong conditions and a risk warning covering the effects of turbulence on accelerated wings.

Exercise 29 : Forward launching, The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at forward techniques, with good control throughout.

Exercise 30:. Reverse launching - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at reverse launch techniques, with good control throughout.

Exercise 31: Weight shift and pitch – roll co-ordination in turns The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at using weight shift and pitch-roll co-ordination in turns.

Exercise32: Cross wind and slope landings - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at cross wind and slope landings, should understand the problems and hazards associated with these manoeuvres and know when and how they might be used.

Phase 9: Instability and emergencies

Objective: the student should understand techniques to recover controlled flight and be aware of techniques and procedures used during emergencies.

Exercise 33: Theory - Emergencies: The student should understand water and tree landing procedures –PLFs – use of emergency parachute systems – uses and limitations of alternative control techniques such as weight shift and rear riser steering in the event of line control failure.

Instability: The student should understand recovery techniques for collapses, stalls, spins and spirals – paraglider certification – BHPA recommendations on pilot skill level requirements.

Exercise 34: Active flying - The student should demonstrate a good understanding of the concepts of active flying and coping with turbulence. Minor pitch oscillations should be induced then stabilised.
This exercise must be carried out at an appropriate altitude in smooth conditions and with effective communication.

Exercise 35: Rapid descent techniques - The student should a reasonable a reasonable and consistent level of competence at using the ‘big ears’ rapid descent technique and should understand its uses and limitations. This should include closing the tip cells on one side at a time, weight shift steering whilst in the big-ears mode, safe exiting – no pumping! This exercise must be carried out an appropriate altitude in smooth conditions and with effective communication.

Exercise 36: Dealing with an asymmetric tuck - The student should reach a reasonable and consistent level of competence at dealing with and recovering from an asymmetric tuck of more than 15% and less than 35%. This size of tuck is effectively one ‘big ears’ and the exercise should be conducted on that basis. Initial training should be carried out on the ground first. This exercise must be carried out at an appropriate altitude in smooth conditions and with effective communication.

Phase 10: Theory and examination

Objective: Through lectures, lessons, talks and personal study the student should reach the Club Pilot (Novice) level of understanding in these subject areas.

Exercise 37: Meteorology

Exercise 38: Principles of flight

Exercise 39: Rules of the air and air law

Exercise 40: General airmanship knowledge – the hazards of flying alone – human factors (drugs, tiredness, stress, lack of currency, etc.) – flying abroad – repairs and periodic inspections of canopy and equipment – the PRS – the need to join a recreational club – the coaching system – the limitations of the Club Pilot (Novice) rating and the routes to progress to “Pilot”.

Exercise 41: Club Pilot (Novice) theory and examination completed and all incorrect answers de-briefed and discussed.

Final assessment for Club Pilot (Novice)

Exercise 42: Declaration by Senior Instructor

I have checked that the training detailed above has been completed and confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, this student has the right attitude to flying

Has reached the standard of airmanship required to fly safely and competently as a Club Pilot (Novice) Paragliding (Hill)

Once you are a qualified CP pilot your licence allows to ridge soar, if you want to progress to XC flying you will need to sit the Pilot Tasks and Exam before embarking on any cross country flights.

£599