Training & Development

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One of the stated aims of the RAFHPA is to develop the skills of its members. There are numerous training events run each year by the RAFHPA, its sister Service Associations and local clubs.

The annual Joint Services Overseas Sports Tour or Expedition, JSHPC Advanced Flying Weeks and UK expeditions and training weekends are all good examples of funded events which are open to Association members. Some of these events have a competitive element but this is always within a friendly and carefully supervised environment to maximise the challenge whilst maintaining safety.

Expedition Leaders Course

JSHPC are now running Joint Services Hang Gliding and Paragliding Expedition Leaders (JSHPEL) Courses. The inaugural course was run late last year. Part and parcel of the course is the BHPA Club Coach qualification. Interested pilots should contact Maggie Smith at JSHPC.

Pilot Rating

The BHPA Pilot Rating is an excellent stepping stone for any free flier. The syllabus and task requirements dovetail naturally with many of the events described above. Pilot Rating is a prerequisite for flying cross country and therefore should be a goal for any free flying pilot. To that end JSHPC Crickhowell runs a Pilot Rating Course, normally in Europe, every year. Please contact Maggie at JSHPC on 94354 3260 or (01873) 810386 for further information.

Details of all of these events and more will be published on this website or via the JSHPA Yahoo Group. All Association members are strongly encouraged to register for the group by contacting the group owner, Matt Tandy, via membership@rafhpa.com or via using the button below.

Click to join JSHPA

The BHPA Pilot Exam Syllabus is available to view and download from the following link: File Here.

Revision Notes

Available below are links to download a setvof revision notes for the BHPA Pilot Examination. The files are in Adobe PDF. Please note that these files are several years old and may not reflect the very latest syllabus contents. The airspace information in particular changes very rapidly. They are however, still very useful for brushing up on the basics. Due to the out of date airspace information within the Airlaw document, a separate file detailing the latest UK Airspace Classifications is also provided.

Airlaw: File Here.

Flight Theory & Instruments: File Here.

Meteorology: File Here.

UK Airspace: File Here.

Club Pilot Rating

For full details

For newcomers to the world of free flying JSHPC run all of the courses necessary to attain BHPA Club Pilot rating for both hang gliding and paragliding. Details of all of these courses can be found in your unit gymnasium, in DIN06-178 and in the following information sheet which is correct as of 01 Mar 07.

Like all adventurous training the courses will cost you nothing; compared to the £1100 plus that you can expect to be charged in a civilian accredited school this really offers a marvellous opportunity that should not be missed if you think that either discipline may be for you. It is always worth giving JSHPC a call as additional courses to those published in the DIN are often laid on.