Learn to fly

 


We've all watched birds soaring gracefully - paragliding and hang gliding make it possible for us too!       Flights on the very best weather days in Scotland can cover distances of more than 100km  and last for  5 or 6 hours using only the power of thermals (rising currents of warm air) and dynamic winds (winds forced up and over hills).

It is essential to learn paragliding and hang gliding in a school environment - please don't buy a paraglider or hang glider off Ebay - you will just kill or injure yourself.    A bit like putting a learner driver in an F1 car!

Paragliding and hang gliding schools offer initial training in

  • glider control
  • flight theory
  • meteorology 
  • air law

and after about 10 days or so of training you will get a rating called “Club Pilot”.    This means you know the basics and are ready to continue your learning in a club environment.    An up to date list of schools is available at the BHPA web site - check out Cloudbusters (near Glasgow) &  Flying Fever (Arran) for Scottish based paragliding schools.     For hang gliding check out Cairnwell Mountain Sports and Scottish Airsports (tow conversions).

If you would like to read a bit more before taking lessons then you need to get a copy of the Pilot Handbook available from the BHPA.      You might also want to browse the more basic online information on the Irish Hang gliding and Paragliding Association web site - click Learning Zone.      You could also post a question to club members on the club message board – its open to everybody.

We hope you will join LLSC (membership form) when you get Club Pilot - you will be welcomed by one of the senior club coaches and encouraged to accompany other club members to LLSC sites and continue learning about 

  • flying safely
  • glider control skills on the ground and in the air
  • weather systems and patterns
  • club sites 
  • club trips abroad
  • flying up as high as the clouds

We aim to provide a welcoming environment for people to enjoy these amazing sports and progress through a safe and enjoyable flying career be it relaxed coastal soaring or the exhilaration of flying cross country with no fixed destination....