Hi Everyone,
I first dreamed of flying in the 70's when I watched the Hang Gliders on Mam Tor.Started a Hang Gliding course with John Clark but after months of carrying the Glider to fields to find its not flyable I gave up.
Fast forward to the 90's and I had another go,this time Paragliding.Passed my Club Pilot with Paul Allmark but the flyable days that coincided with my free time were few and far between.
Then saw a Paramotor!At last something that I could fit in if I just had a hour or two to spare.Paramotored until 6 years ago when I sold all my flying gear,retired and moved abroad.
I knew I would be back in the UK for 5 months this year so I took a 5 day refresher course in Bali,bought a Buzz 5 and will be back in Sheffield next week.I have studied the BHPA pilot handbook and a few things have changed since I passed my CP.One is the constant aspect approach on landing,I was taught to make S turns.Another is the ground handling is now taught putting both A's in one hand.I use the crossed hands method.I took a couple of sample Club Pilot exams online and passed.I spoke to my instructor and he thinks that what I need now is air time and practice rather than more tuition. What I would like to do is fly your more forgiving,less technical sites until I get some hours in.
If you guys can help with advise on which sites I would be best flying at first and do you have club meetings where I can ask a few Questions.
Many thanks and hope to meet you soon.
Ian
Hi Ian!
Thanks for your introduction. Your story makes fascinating reading and I'm sure many will have an empathetic smile on their face - although probably mixed with a little jingle of alarm bells too! We've all caught that "flying bug" in some form or other, so understand your dreams (and frustrations) only too well. But from your story it's impossible to know if you've got what it takes to fly safely and not be a risk to yourself and everyone else.
You're right about things moving on since you first learnt to fly in the UK. Not only have a few techniques changed, but the flying community has changed too. As the sport has grown, it has understandably become much more aware of things like certification, safety and insurance. It's not clear from your message if you have any skills, attitude currency or even 3rd party insurance. These are seen as mandatory these days, so you won't be thanked for rocking up on a DSC site after a 20 year layoff with no membership, accreditation or insurance. Your 5-day refresher in Bali is a great help, but is unlikely to have prepared you to a stage where you'd not be a liability on the average spring day in the Peak District.
The big question is whether you're committed to getting back into paragliding. If you're not, this is absolutely NOT a good choice of sport to have a go at now and then, and most people would recommend you took up something safer and less demanding of your time and energy! But if you are genuinely interested in mastering this amazing sport, my advice would be to get yourself booked in with a local instructor who can assess you properly. Show them you have the right attitude and skills for hill soaring, and they'll be able to sign you off for your BHPA hill rating. Then you'll be able to join the club, help out, fly and get involved like everyone else.
I'm living in Sheffield. By all means give me a call if you want a chat or have any more queries.
Ash
Thanks for the feedback Ash.
Now I don't have work commitments I can be available every day so I can fully commit myself to flying and reaching a standard that is needed to fly with you guys.
I have joined the BHPA again,I have Paragliding Club Pilot rating. I will join the DSC when I get back next week.
I contacted Paul Allmark for instruction to we can see what needs to be done.