Paragliding Course Information and Costs
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.
How much will it cost to become qualified to the level where I can fly when I choose, without instructor supervision?
| Course | Cost | Deposit payable on booking |
|---|---|---|
| One Day Taster | £160 (including mandatory BHPA Membership for the one day) | 100% (£160) |
| Elementary Pilot course (Four days). Includes Peak Airsports Pilot information pack | £500 (excluding BHPA Membership - see below) | 50% (£250) |
| Club Pilot (Novice) Course (Six days). Includes Peak Airsports Pilot information pack. | £750 (excluding BHPA Membership - see below) | 50% (£375) |
The balance is payable at the beginning of the course.
To fly by yourself, you need to be a qualified Club Pilot. To train as a Club Pilot with Peak Airsports, it will cost you £1250 for the training (approximately ten days training in total - four days on the Elementary course and six days on the Club Pilot course).
All pilots in Britain are BHPA members. To become a member, it will cost you £77 for annual membership, with an additional one-off £15 joining fee.
Peak Airsports can provide all the equipment you will need to fully equip yourself as a pilot. We supply new and used equipment from a variety of manufacturers. All second-hand gliders will have previously been given a recognized paraglider 'M.O.T' test before sale. Please see our equipment pages.
As a qualified pilot with your own equipment, the only costs you will have to allow for are BHPA membership every year, membership of local clubs to use their sites of you wish (usually between £10 and £30 a year), and petrol money!
BHPA Membership
When you first enroll on your course you have to join the BHPA, there are 2 options avalible. This 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 options are as follows:
Mandatory BHPA membership (due to increase in April 08)
One-off joining fee £15
Training Membership; £40 Valid for three months including
three copies of the monthly magazine Skywings.
Annual Membership; £77 for one year membership plus 12 copies
of Skywings magazine.
Concessionary Membership. Under 18, Full-time education and over
60 available on request.
These fees include instruction, and the use of all equipment. Third party insurance is mandatory and is included in the BHPA membership fee.
Example: An 'Elementary Pilot' (EP) course would cost [£500+£40+£15 joining fee]=£555 with BHPA 3 Month Training Membership
Example: An 'Elementary Pilot' (EP) course would cost [£500+£77+£15 joining fee]=£592 with BHPA Annual Membership.
There may be occasions when a student will require additional days’ training to reach the standard for the course they are on. If this is the case, we charge our standard day rate of £125 per additional day.
We can 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 Ltd we have a comprehensive School Safety Policy to ensure that risks to your safety are kept as low as reasonable practicable. This 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 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 death do occur in paragliding, even to trained pilots using proper equipment. Whilst Peak Airsports Ltd. 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. This will be sent to you within the info pack. This have 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.
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, if we have reason to doubt the weather...We'd rather that you try it again another day.
Terms and Conditions do Apply
Gift Certificates 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. Courses run for six months each (EPC & CP) and are not transferable.