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BHPA courses for every level
Paragliding & paramotor courses
From complete beginner to cross-country pilot, taught by BHPA instructors in small groups at private sites across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
Why learn with us
More than just lessons
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Which course is right for me?
All our courses have a maximum of four students per instructor, a minimum age of 18, and 12 months to finish once you start. The taster day is day one of any course and comes off the fee if you carry on. Elementary Pilot is booked separately before Paragliding Club Pilot; paramotor and parakite students go straight to Club Pilot.
| Course | Who it's for | Length | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taster Day | Anyone curious, and the first day of every course | 1 day | Counts as day one of any course | £250 |
| Elementary Pilot (EP) | Complete beginners to paragliding (not needed for paramotor) | About 3 days | BHPA Elementary Pilot | £750 |
| Paragliding Club Pilot (Hill) | Pilots who have completed their EP (booked separately) | About 10 days, weather dependent | BHPA Club Pilot | £1,000 |
| Parakite Club Pilot | Beginners, kitesurfers and paraglider pilots converting | About 7 days, weather dependent | BHPA Club Pilot (Parakite) | £1,500 |
| Paramotor Club Pilot | Complete beginners and pilots. Go straight to Club Pilot, no EP needed | About 10 days | BHPA Club Pilot (Paramotor) | £2,500 |
| Pilot Rating & Advanced | Club Pilots ready for the next step | Varies by course | BHPA Pilot rating and more | Ask us |
All courses
Find your course
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.
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Elementary Pilot (EP)
Your first paragliding course. Learn to launch, fly and land a simple flight plan under instruction. Booked separately, before Paragliding Club Pilot.
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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.
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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.
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Paramotor Club Pilot
From complete beginner to flying solo under power in Somerset, with no separate EP course needed. Launches, landings, engine-out practice and airspace.
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Pilot Rating & Advanced
Pilot rating for cross-country flying, SIV over water, tandem pilot training and reserve parachute packing with Wingtrim.
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Included with Club Pilot courses
Learn the theory online
Our e-learning platform covers the theory for your course at your own pace: principles of flight, weather, air law and human factors. Use it to get a head start before your practical days, to go over what you learned, or to study whenever suits you.
It goes beyond the exam, too. You keep access to our how-to guides and knowledge base once you qualify.
Do I need a licence to fly a paraglider or paramotor in the UK?
No. There's no official licence for paragliding or paramotoring in the UK. Proper training is what keeps you safe, though, and you'll need insurance too.
We train to the BHPA (British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association) manual and methods. Once you finish your Club Pilot course you get:
- Insurance: £5 million third-party liability cover through BHPA membership.
- Clubs: access to the UK network of BHPA paragliding clubs and their local knowledge.
- Sites: permission to fly at club sites across the UK.
Can I try it before booking a full course?
Yes. Our taster day (£250) is the first day of training for any of our courses, so you can try it with no further commitment. If you carry on, it counts as day one and the £250 comes off your course fee.
What's included in the course price?
Course fees cover instruction, equipment hire and course materials, including access to our e-learning platform on Club Pilot courses. Each course page lists exactly what's included.
How long do I have to finish a course?
Once you start, you have 12 months to complete your course. Training depends on the weather, so this gives you time to fit it around good flying days.
Contact
Not sure which course to pick?
Tell us a bit about yourself and any flying you've done, and we'll suggest the best place to start. Or call Tom on 07599 844 678.
- 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