Hang Gliding & Paragliding Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Hang Gliding & Paragliding Frequently Asked Questions section. Please select one of the following 10 questions, or click on the appropriate link to view the next 10 frequently asked questions (FAQ).The Hang Gliding & Paragliding Frequently Asked Questions database can also be searched using the box provided.
Frequently asked questions
Displaying page 3 out of 3What is glide ratio?
What is sink rate?
What is the BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme?
What is the difference between a School and a Club?
What should I do after I‘ve completed a Club Pilot Course?
When can I join my local WFFF Club?
When was the hang glider invented?
Who built the first hang glider in the UK?
Who looks after the interests of hang gliding & paragliding at a UK and International level?
Who represents the interests of hang gliding and paragliding within Wales?
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| Q: What is glide ratio? |
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| A: Glide ratio is the distance flown horizontally in still air for a given loss of height.
E.g. A glider with a 10 to 1 glide ratio will travel 10 ft horizontally for every foot of height lost when flying in still air. |
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| Q: What is sink rate? |
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| A: Sink rate is the rate at which a glider descends vertically when flying in still air.
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| Q: What is the BHPA Pilot Rating Scheme? |
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| A: This is the system used in the UK to measure the level of competence and experience of hang glider and paraglider pilots.
To move from one rating to another pilots have to pass a written examination, and demonstrate that they can safely perform a series of practical flying tasks. Further information |
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| Q: What is the difference between a School and a Club? |
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| A: Schools are commercial organisations, who charge for providing the necessary instruction to take you from absolute beginer, with no previous flying experience, through to qualified Club Pilot and beyond.
Recreational clubs are usually run on a not for profit basis by, and for the benefit of, club members. They provide free coaching for newly qualified pilots, and look after the flying sites in their area. They also usually run lectures, courses and competitions for their members. To be able fly a hang glider or paraglider within a recreational club you must first be able to show that you have successfully completed a Club Pilot course of instruction. Club Pilot courses are only available at BHPA registered schools. Recreational clubs do not provide instruction, and therefore can not teach you to fly. |
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| Q: What should I do after I‘ve completed a Club Pilot Course? |
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| A: Once you have successfully completed your course and obtained a Club Pilot rating, we recommend you join a local Hang Gliding & Paragliding Club.
Club coaches will then be able to support you during the difficult transition from school to club, and to assist your progress through the BHPA Ratings system. Further information |
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| Q: When can I join my local WFFF Club? |
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| A: You can join a Club whenever you like. You don‘t have to wait until you complete your training at a BHPA registered school. You must however be able to show that you are a member of the BHPA, and thus have insurance cover for third party risks.
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| Q: When was the hang glider invented? |
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| A: That‘s a tricky one to answer.
During the 19th century Otto Lilienthal made numerous flight on an early type of weight shift hang glider in Germany. But the modern hang glider really evolved from those built and flown by enthusiasts in Australia and America in the late 1960‘s. These were based on drawings released by NASA of a steerable recovery parachute for space capsules. Further information |
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| Q: Who built the first hang glider in the UK? |
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| A: The first British hang glider was constructed in 1971 by Geoff McBroom, Les Hockings, Steve Stanwick, Howard Holdie and Tony Gillette, with balloonist Don Cameron making the sail.
Further information |
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| Q: Who looks after the interests of hang gliding & paragliding at a UK and International level? |
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| A: The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is the UK Governing Body of the sport, and represents its interests at a UK and International level.
Further information |
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| Q: Who represents the interests of hang gliding and paragliding within Wales? |
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| A: The Welsh Free Flight Federation represents the sport within Wales, and works closely with the Welsh Sports Association and the Sports Council for Wales.
Further information |
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