FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PARAGLIDING COURSES
Airsports Paragliding
Shoreham Airport
West Sussex
BN44 3WE
01903 879241
When do you start or run Elementary courses?
Do I have to book five days in a row?
How do I know if training is going ahead?
What happens if training is cancelled?
Can I complete my training quicker and what happens if I take longer?
What should I bring and wear?
What time do we finish?
Will I require insurance?
Arriving by car or train?
I am a complete beginner and slightly anxious.
What age and how fit?
What about club pilot?
I would like a combined EP and CP course
Who can paraglide?
In our experience most people from 16 upwards can fly a paraglider. Woman and kite flyers tend to find it easier as it's about technique not strength. Once airborne, to fly a paraglider takes very little effort or skill, in fact, in the right conditions a sack of potatoes will fly a paraglider. Like most aviation its the taking off and landing that takes a some practice and of course you need the right weather conditions and a good site to fly from. Check our facilities here
When do you start or run Elementary courses?
We teach 7 days a week weather permitting so you can book-in to start your
elementary pilot course on any date you like. Either let us know the dates you would like when you send your booking or phone through your required dates at a later time. We like to have some advance notice, but
also understand some students require last minute bookings and these can be made by arrangement, just call us on 01903 879341.
Do I have to book five days in a row?
You can book five days in a row, weekends, every
alternate Wednesday, once a month, its up to you. Having said that it is better, but not always
possible,
if your training is as consistent as you can make it. If you are working all week then weekends are fine.
How do I know if training is going ahead?
Once we receive your payment we will send you confirmation along with how to contact us the night before training. The Duty
instructor will leave a message after 7.30pm the noght before training. We normally meet at 9.30am in the reception area at Shoreham Airport,
then move to the sites, about 15 minutes away. After your first day you can go direct to site giving you extra time for your journy
What happens if training is cancelled?
If training is cancelled and you are not already booked just phone and re-book. We do not charge when a day
is cancelled and you can re-book when you like.
This question is asked a lot!
Can I complete my training quicker and what happens if I take longer?
4 to 5 days is the average time it takes to complete the tasks for Elementary pilot, if you are prepared and with
favourable weather you may complete training quicker.
We operate all year but conditions for Elementary pilot are more favourable
between April and September. You progress at your own rate and will not be held back. Most students
achieve Elementary pilot in five days or less.
We would never hold you back as we want you to get your Elementary pilot so you go on and take Club pilot.
Within reason we do not put a limit on the amount of
days it takes to complete your Elementary as long as you complete in one year.
What should I bring and wear?
We supply all the necessary paragliding equipment but you will require a pair of boots
with good ankle support, walking type boots are ok but
trainers are not suitable. Ware loose fitting clothes, in layers, and it is better to have your
arms and legs covered even in the summer.
Sun cream and plenty of drinking water.
Strictly no alcohol.
We brake for lunch and normally pop to the cafe just 2 minutes away, you
are welcome join us or
bring your own food for a picnic. Friends are always
welcome to watch and it makes a good day out in the
country.
What time do we start and finish?
We normally start at 9.30 and finish around 5pm although
sometimes we may stay later in the summer to work around the weather.
The exact times will be left by the duty instructor the night before training
We try to be as flexible as possible and if you have
difficulty with these times just let us know
Will I require insurance?
Your BHPA membership carries a third party insurance only. Although safety is paramount
when teaching paragliding you can never rule out the chance of injury so personal injury
insurance may be worth considering, you can check out Airsports
insurance on the BHPA web site or we have
links to insurance companies on our site here
Arriving by car or train?
By car is very easy as
Shoreham Airport is situated just off the A27 just past Brighton,
we then take a short 10 minute journey to our main sites at
Steyning where there is a private car park. When you
know where the sites are you can go directly there
saving time as most of our students are at least 1 hour
away.
By train direct from
Victoria to Shoreham-by-Sea
Station then either a 15 minute walk or £5 taxi ride to the Airport where we will pick you up.
PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN BOOKING IF YOU REQUIRE PICKING UP
I am a complete beginner and slightly anxious.
All our students are complete beginners, most are
individuals
and most are excited but anxious. We are a well established school
operating since 1992, safety is paramount therefore a relaxed
atmosphere
where and you are encouraged to progress at your own rate is
essential. During elementary pilot you will be taught
in small groups on our, all wind direction, private
sites where we have total control. Our job is to make sure you have
fun so you hopefully tell your friends as we rely allot on recommendation. Paragliding is a lay back
sport and you are never pushed into doing something you
do not want to.
You start on flat ground at the bottom of the hill and work up in
stages.
What age and how fit?
The lower age limit is
16 to 18 with parents written consent. There is no upper age limit as someone of 60
can be fitter than someone of 30. We do not ask for a doctors certificate but
you should be reasonably fit. Although paragliding requires very little effort,
during your training you will be required to walk up the hill and run a short
distance. Although with experience we normally land on tip toe, during training
you may take a hard landing. If you are not sure, or you are taking any form of medication,
had a recent injuries etc, please consult your doctor. If you would like more advice
regarding training please just call us on 01903 879241.
What about club pilot?
You will have time during your Elementary pilot training to talk to instructors, students and other pilots to get an
idea
of the best Club pilot option for you. Basically there are 2 main options:-
Just pay for your Club pilot course using the school equipment, normally five days.
Buy new or used equipment from us and take advantage of free club pilot training. Please call for our current stock and
availability.
Combined Elementary and Club Pilot course
Some other schools may offer a discount if you pay for you EP and CP courses in one payment.
All our courses are discounted and already offer the best value available.
You can add both our courses together and pay in one lump sum if you wish but most students prefer to spread the cost.
See our page on choosing the right school