Your paragliding journey starts here
The BHPA Elementary Pilot course (EP) is your first proper paragliding course. It gives you the basic skills and knowledge to make simple flights safely, under the guidance of our qualified instructors.
EP is for paragliding. If you want to paramotor or parakite, you go straight to the Club Pilot course for that sport instead.
What you'll learn
- Basic paraglider handling and piloting technique.
- Safe launch and landing procedures.
- The confidence and decision-making to make simple, controlled flights.
Who it's for
- Anyone with no paragliding experience.
- Anyone who wants a safe, structured introduction to paragliding.
- New pilots working towards the BHPA Club Pilot rating.
After your EP
The next step is the Paragliding Club Pilot course, booked separately. That's where you learn to soar, top land and fly without an instructor.
Want to understand how all the ratings fit together? Read our guide to the BHPA pilot rating scheme.
Questions
Elementary Pilot FAQs
How long does the Elementary Pilot course take?
About 3 days on average. Training depends on the weather, so you have 12 months from your start date to finish.
Is the EP included in the Paragliding Club Pilot course?
No. The Elementary Pilot course (£750) is booked separately and comes before Paragliding Club Pilot (£1,000). Learning from scratch to Club Pilot costs £1,750 in total, and if you start with a taster day the £250 comes off.
Do I need an EP to learn to paramotor?
No. EP is for paragliding only. Paramotor students go straight to the Paramotor Club Pilot course, and parakite students to Parakite Club Pilot.
Can I fly on my own after my EP?
Not yet. The EP shows you can make simple flights under an instructor's supervision. The Club Pilot rating is the one that lets you fly without an instructor.
How fit do I need to be?
You need a moderate level of fitness. There's some running, walking uphill with your kit and handling the wing. If you have a previous injury we may ask for a note from your doctor.
Other courses
You might also like
Taster Day
Day one of your training, with no commitment. Meet the team, handle a wing and maybe leave the ground. If you carry on, it counts as your first day and the £250 comes off your course fee.
View course →
Paragliding Club Pilot (Hill)
Learn to soar, top land and fly alongside other pilots on the Jurassic Coast, so you can fly without an instructor at club sites.
View course →
Parakite Club Pilot
New for 2026 and built with the BHPA. Go straight to parakiting on the coast without the usual hill training first, or convert from paragliding.
View course →Contact
Book your Elementary Pilot course
Let us know roughly when you'd like to train. We'll get back to you with dates.
- Phone
- 07599 844 678
- Message us on WhatsApp
- fly@sky-riders.co.uk
- Training
- Sites across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall
- Workshop
- Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN