BHPA Membership
provides legal liability insurance cover which is there to protect
you. Make sure that the school you join is currently BHPA registered,
and when you start training take out BHPA Introductory, Training or
Annual Membership through the school.
Personal Accident Insurance, to cover you
during training and beyond, is available from the BHPA's Airsports Insurance Bureau. |
 Can anyone Fly? Are hang
gliders, and paragliders only flown by supermen or women? No!
Nevertheless for paragliding you need to be over 14 and for hang
gliding you need to be over 16. Under 18s need parental consent. You
should be fit and active; have good co-ordination and an alert,
reasoning mind (but you don't need any previous flying experience).
Although no medical examinations am required you should be in good
health. If you suffer from any medical condition such as epilepsy,
fainting, giddiness, high blood pressure, heart condition or diabetes
you should ask your Doctor's advice.
Many
people may think that flying hang gliders and paragliders is impossible
for people with disabilities. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The message from the free flying community to any people with
disabilities is: 'You can fly!' See Flyability - the
BHPA's disability initiative - for further information.
Clothing.
Cloths are important. In the course of one training day you'll have
periods of intense activity - and sometimes you'll sit and wish! You
may also have to contend with the chill factor of the prevailing wind,
so it makes sense to go properly prepared. Layers of light but warm
shirts/sweaters mixed with a windproof on top are much better than just
one or two thick heavy garments. Wearing an overall or similar is a
good idea; if you have some waterproof overalls or a one-piece ski
suit, so much the better. A pair of warm gloves is essential in cooler
weather, even if you take them off to fly. For hang gliding they should
be made of leather or other suitable material which will not slip on
the control bar. And take along a waterproof jacket that you can slip
on over everything; you won't train when it's pouring with rain but
sometimes low cloud over the hills can have the same effect.
Foot Wear.
Apart from all the walking that your feet are going to get, they do
need to be kept dry. Good flexible hill walking or jump boots without
lacing hooks (they can snag and damage suspension lines and get caught
in rigging wires and harnesses) are best, though in summer trainers,
preferably with ankle support, are often worn.
Food & Drink. Training is usually conducted far away from
creature comforts like warm cafes with loos. On your first day at the
school, even if your instructor knows a good tea-shop in the village,
don't neglect something to eat and drink to sustain you through your
day. |
