Learn to Hang glide
In order to hang glide in the UK you will first need to get your clubs pilots certificate (CPC). Whilst there are a very limited number of schools in the UK, what we lack in number we more than make up for in quality.
After you gain your CPC you will be introduced to a low airtime contact at your local club who will be happy to take you under their wing and help introduce you to your local sites.
UK Schools -
Flycloud9 (previously Cornwall hang Gliding and paragliding) is run by the very experienced Graham Phipps. The teaching process starts on a tow winch with a conversion to hill soaring at the end of the course.
South Downs Hang Gliding is run by another very experienced teacher in John Barret. Teaching is done on the hill.
More info: "At South Downs Hang Gliding we have access to many superb training slopes for all wind directions and access to all the Southern Hang Gliding Club sites. Hill training when good sites are available is by far the best way to learn. And the cheapest!. Our students do not carry up hang gliders, the instructors return the gliders to launch on all low flights and we use vehicles for higher retrieves. Students are always fresh for their flights .. not knackered. We teach hang gliding because we love the sport and want to help others learn to fly these amazing machines in a safe and responsible maner"
The closest school to London
Based in the North of England. Also has aerotow.
One of the biggest setups in the UK with a shop and aerotow facilities
Northumbria Airsports offers hang gliding instruction, dual flights and powered flights. The school operates predominantly in the Cheviot Hills area in beautiful Northumberland, UK. On your first day's experience, you can achieve 10 - 12 flights. All the equipment and tuition is included in the daily fee, and you are allowed two taster days before committing yourself to membership to the BHPA.
Hang and paraglidng school based in Hope in the Peak District.
Run by very experienced and enthusiastic instructor Mark Bosher, the school has dual flying facilities and hill training for all wind directions. Mark is out flying his hang glider regularly for fun too!
Derbyshire flying centre run by Steve Hudson in Tideswell in the Peak District.
Steve is a past winner of the national XC league and has been teaching hang gliding for 20 years. He has dual flying equipment and hill taining for all wind directions
Something to note - making a living teaching flying is a lifestyle choice rather than good business. Although the training might seem expensive it requires a lot of good weather to make more than a meagre living
When it comes to buying equipment consider buying from the school and give them the chance to match any price you might have been offered for new equipment elsewhere.
Schools in Spain
(for a fly while you learn holiday)
n.b. If you are affiliated with these schools and want me to add some more info here just message me via my profile here. Also if you have any experience with these schools yourself then feel free to chat in the forums and share information there.
Learning to Aerotow
Stewart is friendly, professional and very experienced. The setup here is great and I've heard great reviews from other pilots who trained here and my experience so far has been top notch.
