Frequently Asked Questions?
How do I arrange lessons or a tandem flight?
The best way is to drop Alistair, (the CFI) a WhatsApp message on +447575280508. He’ll then give you a call to discuss your training needs.
When are you next running courses?
We run training all year round, and aim for as close to 7 days a week availability as possible. We train students in small groups, at different levels, using suitable weather conditions, so we don’t block book you for dates weeks in advance, or run our UK training around fixed dates.
What’s your booking process?
Once we’ve taken payment for your flight, or first training day, we add you to our WhatsApp Planning Group. Only the instructors post in here, so there’s no clutter. We identify upcoming dates, based on the weather forecast, 5 – 7 days ahead. Our work flow is thus:
1. We identify likely days coming up at 5 – 7 days in advance.
2. You PM us know if you’re available. You can still cancel or ask to join a day in the run up. At this point, all we need to know is if you’d like to book in for a certain day. Tandem passengers, please let us know if you have only a few hours available, as we can work round this.
3. We update you as things change during this period, we ask that you do the same if you become unavailable.
4. Just after 7pm on the evening before, we confirm where and when we’re meeting for flying, based on the forecast for the next day. At this point your booking is confirmed, instructors are promised work, and payment is due from continuation students on courses. (Please try to avoid cancelling after this point, as we have to charge you.)
5. We meet the next day and train or fly tandem with you.
Do I need any prior experience to try paragliding?
Not at all! For a Tandem Flight, you don’t need any experience. You’ll be securely strapped to a certified instructor who handles the launching, flying, and landing. You just need to take a few running steps at take-off. If you are signing up for the Elementary Pilot Course, we start from absolute scratch on a gentle training hill.
Is paragliding safe?
Paragliding is an aviation sport, so it comes with inherent risks, but modern equipment and strict training protocols make it incredibly safe. Our instructors are fully certified, our gear is meticulously inspected, and we only fly in suitable conditions. Your safety is our absolute highest priority.
Can I book through an Online Travel Agent or Third Party Website.
Absolutely not! We only take bookings after an email or WhatsApp exchange so that we’re happy you understand our booking process and we can meet your training needs. If you find a listing claiming to be us on a third party site, please let us know!
Are their weight or age restrictions?
For solo training, it’s best to check with us if you weigh over 110kg. For tandem passengers, 90kg is the limit. Nominally 8 – 80 is a sensible age range for tandem flights, and 16 – 65 for training. Drop us a message if you fall outside of these and we can discuss your particular needs.
What happens if I can’t fly due to poor weather on the day?
Tandem flights will simply be rebooked for another day. It’s disappointing on the day, but we only fly when the weather is suitable.
Solo students will either practice ground handling, and/or theory. Ground handling is THE fundamental skill of the sport, and you cannot practice it too much!
Can I block book lessons?
You can certainly pay upfront for a few lessons if you’d like to, but we’re very happy with “Pay as you go”, and just ask that you’re paid up for training before meet time on a given training day. In terms of dates, there’s no need to block book dates in advance. The UK weather comes in waves of good and periods of unflyable weather, so we only plan a week ahead at most.
Where do we meet?
We have around a dozen flying sites that we use regulary. We usually meet you on site, unless otherwise agreed. You almost always need a car or taxi to access the sites, as public transport links aren’t usually good enough to get you to the site.
What time do we start?
Typically, around 10am, but in the middle of the summer we can start much later and take advantage of the long evenings.
How long is the day?
We aim for 6 to 8 hours on site for a training day. Tandem flights are 20 – 40 mins, but we’ll need you on site for a couple of hours to walk in, brief, and do insurance paperwork.
What should I bring?
Good question, there’s a link for that: https://og.soulfulwebstudio.co.uk/what-should-i-bring/
Can I bring friends and family or a dog?
It depends… Friends and family are very welcome to come to watch tandem flights, but they might get bored of watching you training for 8 hours as a solo student. Some sites have car parking on site, others are a big walk in.
We ask that you don’t bring dogs to training or tandem flights.
Is there insurance?
There is Third Party Insurance provided by our NGB, the BHPA. You will become a member before any training or tandem flying with us. We will do the paperwork with you on site. It only takes a few minutes.
We recommend that you have personal accident insurance in place as well.
What’s the best time of year to learn?
There’s no time like the present! We train all year round and make the best of any fine weather we can.
As you’d imagine, we get more done April – October than we do November – March.
Can I book a tandem from a specific site or date/time?
We’re afraid not! As you’ll have read above, we plan around the weather. Each site has specific wind directions that it needs to work for us, and we will always choose the best site for the day. Our planning cycle doesn’t cater for specific bookings like this, and we find customers who self-limit to certain sites, obviously give themselves far fewer opportunities to fly, than someone who is more available.
We don’t book dates for some weeks, or months in advance as we’ve no idea what the weather will be like more than a few days ahead.
How high do we fly?
At the start of the Elementary Course you’re on the ground, then a few metres up, and progressively higher and higher until you’re soaring above our biggest hills at the end of Club Pilot training. The progression is very gradual.
Tandem flights are usually between 100ft above the ground, and possibly up to 4000ft or more above the ground in spring and summer.
Do I need my own equipment?
You can use the school’s equipment during your training course. You’ll need your own gear once qualified, and we can help you to put together a suitable equipment package. You should aim to do this in time to use your own gear towards the end of the Club Pilot course.
How fit do I need to be?
Tandem passengers need to be able to walk up a hill and run a few paces to be able to take off. Students need to be fit enough for a day of hill walking.
What medical conditions should I tell you about?
We have a medical questionaire in the booking form, please have a look. Any issues, drop us a message.
How much walking is involved?
Some sites we drive to the top, and take off and land in the same place. Other sites require a bit of a hike in.
Are toilets, cafés, or parking available at the sites?
Almost certainly not! We train in wild, mountainous environment and we need to be self sufficient while out training or tandem flying.
What happens if I get there and decide not to fly?
That’s absolutely fine, we may still need to charge you, but you’ll never be under pressure from us to fly if you don’t want to.
How long does it take to become a qualified pilot?
Typically 8 – 12 days of training for 90% of students.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes, we sell gift vouchers for training, tandem flights and equipment.
What happens after I qualify?
You’ll be able to join local clubs, and we’ll also support you as you progress with CP+ training, our overseas training and development courses, you can even join our cross country team when you’re ready!
Can you help me buy my first wing and harness?
Yes absolutely, as soon as you’re ready to buy equipment, we’re here to advise and supply the right stuff.