We train throughout the year and all of our training slopes and airfields are within 20 minutes drive of the centre.

We have a huge advantage over the majority of UK schools, because we have the equipment, skill, manpower and qualifications to teach you to fly from the winch (towing) first before we start you flying from a hill or with a paramotor. See the 'News' section for the many beneficial reasons why.

For insurance and liability reasons; our courses are only open to people aged between 18 and 60 years old providing you're physically fit. You will also need to weigh somewhere between 7st 12lb (50kg) and 17st 5lb (110kg) and be between 5' 0" (1.52m) and 6' 4" (1.93m) tall.

We at ParAvion put our emphasis on quality not quantity. In other words we train fewer students to a higher standard rather than a lot of students to a lower standard. To achieve this:

• We have private and exclusive hill sites on which to train, as well as the use of three private airfields (we pay a high price to keep these sites private).

• We have special permits from the Civil Aviation Authority (to winch tow) and the Ministry Of Defence (to fly in restricted military airspace) so we can tow you to heights of up to 2000ft in areas where no other civil aircraft are even allowed to fly (Salisbury Danger Area).

• We will not teach you on crowded club sites as some other schools do. You will be the only one in the air until the final stages of your training when you need to learn to fly in mixed company. We consider this a very serious safety issue - with us you have a much reduced risk of a mid-air collision.

• We will only use the latest, safest and most modern equipment (it is replaced or updated at least once a year – often more). All the equipment we use is approved and certified by either the DHV or EN testing houses (in a lot of cases both).

• We deliberately keep our groups small so that everyone gets the best attention. Often you will receive one-on-one instruction (mainly for hill or paramotor training).

• We will only teach on good training days – not when the weather is 'marginal' or unsuitable (this is also an important safety issue). It is quite often not safe to fly on bright and sunny days (especially in springtime or if it's been very cold overnight). Sadly, some schools will risk your safety for profit and teach on such days - see our weather page.

• Our purpose built premises include a modern classroom/clubroom, fully-stocked retail shop, office, parachute re-packing facilities and workshop. We also have a shower and WC facilities if you decide you want to clean up after a day's training before you head home.

• All transport to and from our flying sites is provided free; either in our 17 seat minibus or 4x4 vehicles, so you will not be asked to pay a fuel contribution when travelling to training sites or be expected to drive yourself there.

• If you're looking for a much higher standard than the norm; then you've found the right school.

Consider These Few Points Before You Choose A Training School:

• Do they have a proven track record and good reputation gained over more than twenty years?

• Are they professional in their business approach or do they just work out of a shed or the back of their car and expect you to meet them on site so you don't get to see what goes on behind the scenes?

• A good sign of reputability is whether their bank allows them to take credit cards. If they insist on cash or cheque then there is obviously a problem. Is your money safe?

• Do they have a registered office and a proper business address and phone lines or do they expect you just to call a mobile phone?

• Are you expected to drive all over the country (at your expense) to meet them at a busy club site (that they don't have to pay for) or do they pay for the use of their own exclusive training sites as we do?

• Thoroughly check their prices for hidden extras - ParAvion's prices are clearly set and there is nothing hidden from you. Our prices are higher than some because of the high price of VAT, our rent and overheads - if they have no overheads are you being ripped off? Surely, they should be a LOT cheaper than we are? Especially if they don't pay the government 17.5% of their charges in VAT!

• Are you being pushed into buying your own equipment in order to qualify or can you continue to use their equipment even AFTER qualifying like you can with ParAvion?

• Does the school's Chief Flying Instructor have many years experience of running a school? Check his qualifications and experience. Our CFI has been running BHPA schools since 1998 and has been the CFI of three of them.

• Lastly, and most importantly - check their safety record - how many accidents have they had recently? Our CFI has had only one student injure themselves in fifteen years of teaching - an unparalleled safety record!

 

ParAvion Paragliding Centre is a BHPA (British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association) registered school. For more information on the BHPA visit the BHPA website at www.bhpa.co.uk