Please note that the CAA requirement to be able to fly unsupervised in the UK or abroad is that you reach the BHPA Club Pilot level. By successfully completing EP and CP courses with the DFC you will be at that level.

Elementary Paragliding 5 days £450 (BHPA membership not included)

On our course you should experienced the truly wonderful sensation of floating above the ground with Peak District stunning scenery laid out before you. If you  always wanted to fly free as a bird our EP course will give you the thrill and enjoyment that is Paragliding. You may at the end of the course decide that paragliding is fun and exhilarating to learn but it is not the right time for you, then you will have your DFC Certificate and the skills to return to the sport later. Certainly, by the end of our EP course you will know whether you have the desire and ability to progress on to the CP course and become a BHPA Paraglidier Pilot.

The EP classroom work comprises simple theory sessions on flight theory, meteorology and air law. Our skill at imparting the flight knowledge will be tested with your short multiple choice exam at the end of the course.

All paragliding equipment is supplied for the course; you just need to bring adequate clothing and good, ankle supporting footwear - and a packed lunch. The EP course is designed to bring the complete beginner up to the accredited BHPA level of Elementary Pilot. At the end of the course the pilot should be capable of site selection, weather assessment, self launch and adequate flight planning to perform a flight with turns and a landing within a designated area.

Once you have achieved this level you are also able to purchase your first paraglider from us on which you can complete your training. If you have equipment not purchased from the Derbyshire Flying Centre and intend to use it on the CP course there is a £150.00 Inspection fee.

Club Pilot Course 5 days £450 (BHPA membership not included)

The CP course usually takes 5 days of flying that progresses the elementary pilot onto soaring skills, often with flights of 15-20 minutes or more, landing back on the top of our grassy Derbyshire hills. Radios are used for communication between instructor and student.

Also covered are more advanced launch techniques, strong-wind glider control, rapid descent techniques, instability, dealing with emergencies and general airmanship. Our CP course is about growing your knowledge and Skill in a friendly atmosphere.

We take great pride in producing pilots with a high skill level and a good attitude to embark on a long and safe flying career.

If you have committed to starting a CP course with us, then this normally means that you intend to take up the sport, so it makes sense to be using your own equipment for this. Please give some serious consideration to purchasing your flight equipment from us at the DFC. A new glider harness and helmet will cost about £2,800. Used equipment is usually available from about £1,400. Buying your own equipment has several advantages:

• You use the same wing each time you fly.
• We take the responsibility of finding you the right flight equipment seriously. 
• Equipment from the DFC has no inspection fee
• Your harness will be adjusted correctly for you
• By the time you qualify and begin your flying career, everyone will be satisfied that your equipment is right for you and is correctly set up and adjusted. We are able to give a discount when you purchase your glider from us because as a school we do not have to invest in a wing for you to fly

You can hire all flight equipment from us. It may be possible to use your own flight equipment once it has been inspected and approved by us for your use in the school, The inspection fee is usually £150. You need to bring adequate clothing and good, ankle supporting footwear and a packed lunch. Once the CP level has been achieved you are qualified to fly without an instructor.

Flying in the UK can be among the best in the world, if you intend to fly in the UK you should learn here as to learn abroad will not equip you to fly in the UK. We do however have more than our fair share of unsettled weather, if you are keen and have a busy lifestyle this can become frustrating. From our experience we have found it useful to run a course one evening a week for our CP Pilots. The best evening for this is decided using Monday’s weather forecast. The pilots are informed of the proposed evening and simply ring on that day to check conditions.

I am happy to talk to you at any time about the best options for you including package deals with equipment etc. Steve Hudson CFI.