For anyone aspiring to paramotor or paraglide safely and legally in the UK, understanding the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) Pilot Rating Scheme is your essential roadmap. At Sky Riders, a BHPA-accredited training and development centre, we’re dedicated to guiding you through every step of this journey, ensuring you gain the skills, knowledge, and certification needed to fly with confidence.
What is the BHPA and Why is its Pilot Rating Scheme Crucial?
The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) is the UK’s national governing body for hang gliding, paragliding, and paramotoring. Its primary role is to promote the safe development of these adventurous aviation sports, set training standards, oversee certified schools, and issue pilot qualifications. They also provide £5m 3rd party liability insurance for all members, opening up take off sites across the country.
The BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme is a progressive system designed to ensure pilots acquire the necessary theoretical understanding and practical flying skills before being granted increasing levels of autonomy. It’s a testament to your competence and a requirement for flying legally and safely within the UK’s airspace.
Your Journey Through the BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme with Sky Riders:
At Sky Riders, our training syllabus is designed to align with and exceed BHPA requirements, taking you from a complete novice to a certified pilot. Here’s a breakdown of the typical progression:
1. Elementary Pilot (EP) Certificate: Your First Steps Towards Flight
What it is: The foundational qualification in paragliding (not required for paramotoring). It means that you’ve learned the absolute basics of ground handling, basic flight theory, and fundamental safety procedures under direct instructor supervision. It’s not a license to fly unsupervised.
What you learn at Sky Riders: During our initial training phases, you’ll master inflation and control of the wing on the ground, practice short unpowered flights from gentle slopes, and gain knowledge from our Sky Riders School Paramotor Theory Pack covering aerodynamics, basic meteorology, and air law.
Why it’s important: The EP acts as your gateway. It proves you have the foundational skills required to progress safely to more advanced training.
2. Club Pilot (CP) Rating: Earning Your Wings (and Engine!)
This is the most crucial qualification for new pilots. The BHPA Club Pilot (CP) rating shows that you are competent to fly unsupervised (within certain limitations), allowing you to fly at privately owned or at BHPA club sites. This qualification can be converted into an International Proficiency card (IPPI), which is recognised worldwide!
What you learn at Sky Riders: Our comprehensive training leads directly to your CP rating.
Ground Handling Mastery: Perfecting wing control in various conditions, learning and mastering both the forward and reverse inflation techniques. We also teach advanced skills for those of you who pick up the skills quickly!
Flight Proficiency: Consistent and controlled take-offs and landings.
Motor Safety: Safe starting, stopping, and handling of the paramotor unit. Launch position and thrust exercises. (PPG only)
Flight Experience: Guided flights, developing paragliding specific or paramotor specific skills, flying with others and building your confidence in the skies.
Advanced Theory: In-depth meteorology (wind gradient, thermal activity), air law (NOTAMS, airspace classifications, CANP), theory of flight (lift, drag, angle of attack), emergency procedures (asymmetric deflations, reserve deployments), and advanced airmanship, all thoroughly covered in your Sky Riders School Paramotor Theory Pack.
Practical & Written Assessments: You’ll be constantly assessed, progressing at your pace, practicing safe launches, controlled flights, and accurate landings. There are also multiple choice theory exams, making sure you know the rules, regulations and theory to fly solo.
The CP rating is your license to explore. It allows you to become an independent pilot, join local clubs, and continue your flying adventures responsibly.
Beyond CP: Continued Learning and Specialisations
The BHPA pilot rating scheme doesn’t stop at CP. For those seeking further challenges and qualifications, the progression continues:
Pilot Rating: For more experienced pilots demonstrating advanced skills and a broader range of flying conditions. This is the rating that you need in order to leave the take off area and fly cross country (XC).
With more complex tasks to complete, skills assessment and another theory exam, this rating signifies that you are more experienced in the sport. Gaining your pilot rating will unlock additional flying opportunities, such as restricted sites, competitions and the possibilities of flying some incredible distance XCs!
Advanced Pilot Rating: Further to the Pilot Rating, there are additional tasks, hours and another exam to complete. This is another stamp of your skills and qualifications and shows that you are one of the top pilots in terms of skills and flying ability.
Instructor Ratings (Trainee Instructor, Instructor, Senior Instructor): For those wishing to share their passion and expertise by teaching others. Sky Riders’ instructors hold these higher qualifications, ensuring you learn from the best.
Why Train with Sky Riders for Your BHPA Qualifications?
Whether you have learned to paramotor at a non-BHPA school or are a complete novice, we can help you gain your ratings. We have taught numerous pilots who have leant to fly at other schools, all commenting how on day 1 how they have learned more and massively improved their skills at Sky Riders. The importance of proper training and education is key to mastering this sport!
Accreditation: We have been trained by and are regularly assessed by the BHPA, guaranteeing training quality that meets national standards.
Experienced & Dedicated Instructors: Our team, led by CFI Tom McMeakin, brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a proven teaching methodology to every lesson. We pride ourselves on our low student-to-instructor ratio, providing maximum individual attention.
Safety-First: Your safety is non-negotiable. We adhere to stringent operational procedures from our Operations Manual, teach you to conduct pre-flight checks and site assessments, and maintain all equipment to the highest standards. This sport is as safe as you are! Do not endanger yourself or others around you. Stick to Air Law and make safe, calculated and informed decisions. Always fly with a reserve and if you are ever in doubt do not fly!
Comprehensive Resources: Access to our detailed theory pack, hands-on practical training, and continuous support ensures you’re fully equipped to pass your BHPA exams and become a confident pilot.
Why wait to start your journey to becoming a qualified paramotor or paragliding pilot with Sky Riders? Contact us today to learn more about our courses in the South West of England and take the first step towards your incredible airborne adventure!