What Is A Paramotor?
A paramotor is a paraglider with an engine. Not everyone wants to fly just a glider, so what we can also do is teach you to fly the paraglider with a motor. We call this discipline SPHG; Self Propelled Hang Gliding.
Some schools will teach you to fly with a motor straight away, but in our many years of experience teaching people to fly this simply means you will end up spending a LOT more money on damaged propellers and other parts of your nice new paramotor than it would have cost you in tuition fees (not to mention a much higher risk of hurting yourself too). Would you really want to try and ride a motorcycle without learning to ride a bicycle first?
There are two stages to the syllabus; the first one 'Club Pilot (Power)' allows you to fly within the confines of a club site under the supervision of a coach or instructor. You will not be allowed to fly cross-country.
The second 'Pilot (Power)' level where you can then fly cross-country safe in the knowledge that you know where you’re going and are able to navigate around restricted airspace and make the right judgement call based on your greater understanding and knowledge of the weather.
The costs are as follows:
For the beginner - Taster Day £180.00 + EP £340.00 + CP (tow) £680.00 + Paramotor Conversion £195.00 = £1395.00 (only £1295.00 if purchased altogether).
For the 'current' Club Pilot (plus 10 hours or more) - Winch Endorsement Course £195.00 (unless you're already tow rated) plus One Day Paramotor Conversion Course to the 'Club Pilot (Power)' stage @ £195.00.
To gain 'Pilot (Power)' will obviously take longer and cost a little more, but this will be tailored to your indivdual needs, so it should be discussed with our CFI after you have completed your initial training course. However, just to give you a rough idea of how much training will be needed:
If you are BHPA 'Pilot' rated or above, it should only take a day (occasionally two) in addition your conversion course.
If you are a total beginner it will take three to four days in addition to the 'Club Pilot (Power)' level.
Any extra training required will be charged at £170.00 per day (or £35.00 per hour). In addition, any ground school necessary will be charged at £20.00 per hour.
We no longer provide paramotors for you to use - you will have to supply your own. Of course, we can sell you a new one or help you with buying a used one. Be warned though; there is a lot of rubbish out there that people will sell you. With our guidance, you will only buy the one that is both good value and good quality. It is also very important that you get one that is of the right size and power to suit your size, weight and shape.
I Already Have My Own Kit
If you already have your own equipment, then you may (or may not) already be in a better position. However, we will not teach you on any old junk - it must be airworthy. Your glider will need to be less than two years old, and be a DULV rated beginner wing and we will expect to see a recent service/inspection report to prove it is airworthy.
The safety and suitability of any privately owned motors will be left to the judgement of our instructors. If it has not been well maintained or is considered unsafe by the Duty Instructor, then you won’t be able to use it whilst under training.
