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Routes
Into The Air – Training – copied from PPG Forum
This is not meant to be advice just my opinions that might help
newbies - all you experienced guys please correct me on anything you
wish...
BMAA
BMAA instructors are endorsed, licensed and insured to teach. The BMAA
route (with some exceptions) usually involves the use of a tandem
paramotor to get the student used to flying and manoeuvring the wing.
This system of training is much like learning to drive. The instructor
is sitting right there behind you giving you instructions and
demonstrating what you should do and what you should be aware of.
Training takes around 7 days depending on ability, agility and weather
conditions - I've heard that BMAA instructors go through a very
rigorous training program that includes a first aid certificate and a
tandem rating. Equipment is normally supplied and rates vary form
£100-150 per day. After successfully demonstrating your ability to fly
and passing the exam a BMAA FLPA rating maybe awarded.
Pros:
* Seen as an effective system to get PUT's (pilots under training)
into the air quickly without the need for hill or tow flying
* PUT's are taught PPG from the start (no chance of early bad habits etc)
* Instruction is normally of high quality and instructors are
revalidated at regular intervals to ensure high standards are maintained.
* Instructors are fully insured and PUT's are insured whilst under
training
Cons:
* PUT's miss out on experiencing free flying and the skills that go
with that
* Conditions have to be just right for tandem flights (although as
long as the flying exercises are demonstrated before attempting a
first solo it doesn't really matter where this sits)
* The BMAA can not offer insurance with membership and rating and at
time of writing the BHPA will no longer accept BMAA ratings as proof
of ability and will not issue a reciprocal rating.
Note: You might be able to undertake a course of BMAA training and
then get assessed by a BHPA SPHG instructor (perhaps one day of
assessment and exam)
BHPA
BHPA SPHG instructors are fully qualified and insured to teach PPG.
Initial flights without power are normally made launching from a hill,
using a winch or hand towed. Some may insist that you complete a 2-3
day EP course in order to complete the exercises required in the
syllabus - the conversion from EP to SPHG may take anything from 3-5
days depending on ability. Equipment is normally supplied by the
school. The BHPA instructor course is also very demanding involving
being mentored by a senior instructor or CFI and undertaking a course
of first aid.
Pros:
* PUT's get the feeling of free flight
* PUT's who complete a course and pass the exam get a rating that will
enable them to join the BHPA and get insurance
* Instructors and PUT's are fully insured
* Instruction is often of high quality and instructors are accountable
to the BHPA (standards are maintained)
Cons:
* Some PUT's under the BHPA system develop bad habits for PPG
* Getting your EP rating might take a very long time as it depends on
the weather
* Some PUT's get fed up of running up and down the hill
* Travel to and from the hill takes time
Independent Instructors
Independent instructors and schools have no formal instructors
qualification/rating. They maybe (or may not be) extremely experienced
and have many many more PPG hours than their rated counterparts. As
far as I am aware it is very unlikely that they will have a
comprehensive insurance policy that covers them against claims of
negligence, third party insurance that protects the PUT. They may have
general public liability insurance that covers them for some claims
but I feel (and I'll stand corrected) that there can't be an insurance
company in the land who will provide insurance for claims of
negligence or injury to an unqualified (meaning no formal rating)
instructor. Equipment is normally supplied to PUT's.
Pros:
* Some independent schools/instructors offer first class training and
advice (get references and make sure that they are FULLY insured)
* Possible no hills, no tandem flights and no PG
* You might be able to negotiate free training or at a reduced cost if
you buy equipment from them
Cons:
* Independent instructors will tell you that you do not need a rating.
Although this is true you will not be able to get third party
insurance from the BHPA - you might be able to get insurance from
Verspirien (france) but this has not been tested as yet in a claim.
* In my experience some independents will tell you that they have
insurance cover and might try and convince you that you will be safe
or your training will not put others at risk. Ask them exactly what
cover they have in place. It might just turn out that the cover they
are talking about is for their freezer contents.
* With no 'air time' or flight exercises you might get into the air on
your first solo and think shit I wish I wasn't here!
Self Taught Or Friend Shows You How
I've seen a dozen or so pilots take to the air after a few days of
being shown what to do by a mate or by reading a book. It depends on
the individual person - some have absolutely no problem others are an
accident waiting to happen. We all make mistakes occasionally but I've
seen guys being chased by their motor because the throttle has got
stuck and they have had no grip on the unit - or the self taught guy
who goes up in a sky full of cunims. On the other hand I know self
taught pilots who are fantastic in the air and know more about met,
airlaw, flight theory and human performance than the guys who come out
of a school clutching their rating.
Pros:
* No cost and fits in with your schedule
* Learning is at your own pace
* Meet good people out on the field and get unbiased advice about kit
Cons:
* You <might> kill yourself or someone else
* No rating - but if you can satisfy a BHPA or BMAA instructor that
you know your stuff they will issue you a rating
* You will be stuffed if they ask you in court (after your prop drops
off and kills some ones cat) 'Did you undertake any formal training'....
So there it is - just my OPINIONS and not advice. My training has been
a bit of all and it has worked for me..I did an EP course but didn't
bother with the exams, I did some training with a BMAA school and have
got loads of top advice of guys in the field (learning all the time)
and have clocked up well over a hundred hours of safe and enjoyable
flying (flying within my comfort zone). After two years of flying and
starting a family I've decided it's time to be responsible and get a
rating/insurance. 5 of us here in Yorkshire have arranged to meet with
a BHPA instructor, have our log books inspected, demonstrate our
ability to fly safely and pass the exam.
Some instructors will try and sell you the kit you need - My advice is
don't part with your money until you've spoken to half a dozen
satisfied owners and checked out all the other kit that is available.
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