HANGGLIDING LESSOn guide
Learn to Fly
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Feel the freedom of real flight — no engine, just you, the wind, and the incredible experience of gliding like a bird.
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Experience something unforgettable — your first lift-off is a moment you’ll talk about for years.
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Safe, structured training — perfect for total beginners, guided by passionate and highly experienced instructors.
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Hands-on from the very start — you don’t just watch someone else fly… you get to fly the glider, on Day 1.
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A genuine taste of the sport — this isn’t a theme park ride. It’s real hang gliding, with real skills, real flying, and real adrenaline.
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Grow your confidence step by step — from balancing the glider to feeling it lift you into the air, at your own pace.
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Learn how pilots actually fly — weight-shift control, reading the wind, understanding the glider, and handling real equipment.
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An adventure most people only dream of — the closest thing to having wings.
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The start of a journey — try it for the experience or continue towards your BHPA pilot ratings.
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Friendly, welcoming atmosphere — join a supportive team who love sharing the joy of free flight.
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Hang gliding is a highly weather-dependent sport and we rely entirely on natural air currents, not engines. This means it may take a little time and flexibility to find the right training day, but once you lift off the ground, you’ll understand why the wait is worth it. Many students say their first flight is one of the best moments of their lives.
Below is an overview of what to expect from your training and how your lessons are structured.
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​​DAY 1 – INTRODUCTORY DAY
Meet & Theory (Approx. 1 hour)
We begin the day with an introduction to the gliders, a safety briefing and essential flight theory. This session gives you the foundation and confidence you need before we head out to fly.
Weather Assessment & Rigging
We assess the conditions together and rig the gliders as a team. This helps you understand the equipment, the wind, and the steps taken to ensure safe flight.
Your First Flights
Students take turns flying the glider using ground tethers or sliding tram-line tethers (in lighter winds). These systems allow you to genuinely fly the hang glider while the instructor is able to override your controls if necessary.
You’ll build skills progressively:
• Balancing the glider on the breeze
• Taking small hops
• Taking longer flights as you gain confidence
• Learning weight-shift control
• Feeling how the glider responds in the air
We focus on:
• Body position
• Looking ahead
• Relaxing into the harness
• Smooth directional control
Other Skills Covered
• Rigging and de-rigging
• Basic ground handling
• Pre-flight safety checks
End of Day
We finish with a debrief and logbook signing.
This day counts as Day 1 of your BHPA Elementary Pilot (EP) course if you choose to continue training.
Tandem Flights
Tandems cannot be pre-booked as part of Day 1 but may be offered on the day at the Duty Instructor’s discretion.
ELEMENTARY PILOT (EP) TRAINING
If you’d like to continue, you can work toward the BHPA Elementary Pilot rating. This stage introduces higher, longer flights and begins developing your control and precision.
Training includes:
• Higher flights
• Controlled turns
• Flying simple flight plans
• Take-offs and landings
• Basic theory
All untethered flights require the student to accept that they are “pilot-in-command” for that exercise.
Progress varies, but EP typically takes around 5 or more training days.
CLUB PILOT (CP) TRAINING
After EP comes the BHPA Club Pilot rating — the level that allows you to fly independently within a club environment.
CP training usually involves around 5 additional days and includes:
• Higher launches
• Flying in the fully prone position
• Soaring flights (maintaining or gaining height in rising air)
• Understanding flying sites and conditions
• Planning and flying accurate flight plans
To complete CP you need:
• Three soaring flights
• A theory exam
Students use their own glider and harness for CP training and store them at home. Transport is normally via car roof-rack.
RESTRICTIONS
Age
• Minimum age to start training: 14
• Minimum age for exams: 16
• No upper age limit, but you must be reasonably fit and healthy
• If you are over 70, please contact us first
Weight
• Maximum training weight: 120 kg
Training Days
Day 1 and 2 usually run on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, but group bookings can be arranged during the week. We organise training around suitable weather and student numbers to ensure the best and safest experience possible.
