Flying Tandem

Introduction Flights

A tandem flight with an experienced pilot is one of the best ways to experience true 'free flight'. Straight away, you will get high (depending on the weather) and get to enjoy the sights all pilots see within this wonderful sport. To fly tandem you are seated in a separate harness to your instructor and are suspended in front of them underneath the paraglider. The instructor will fly the paraglider from behind you, giving you a totally panoramic view without obstruction.

You should get to 'fly' the glider under the guidance of your instructor (again, this depends on the weather) once you are clear of the ground, your instructor will of course take control once again for landing.

Tandem flying is a great way to find out whether you will like paragliding or not before you commit to taking up any formal training. If you decide you don't like it (which is unlikely), then you will have saved yourself the cost of a training course (around £1500.00).

The cost for an Introduction Flight is £95.00 (inc. BHPA membership). We will supply all you need, just bring along yourself and a pair of sturdy walking boots.

To fly tandem you will need to weigh somewhere between 45kg & 85kg. With regard to fitness; you will need to be able to run at least 20 metres and be able to take a landing equivalent to jumping from four feet high. If you're under 18 I'm afraid we can't take you. If you're over 60 you will need a note from your doctor saying you are fit enough to do a parachute jump strapped to an instructor.

If you'd like to purchase a tandem flight for a friend or for yourself, simply click here.

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Tandem Flying As A Training Aid For New Pilots

Tandem flying can be a great way to learn some of the finer details of flying. You will get to fly with an experienced instructor who will show you how to improve any aspect of flying you may be having trouble with; soaring, top-landing approaches and thermalling techniques being the most common.

The cost for a coaching flight is only £45.00. You must be qualified to a minimum of BHPA Club Pilot or FAI ParaPro stage 3 and be a current member of the BHPA.

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Training To Become A Qualified Tandem Pilot

If you want to get become a Tandem Pilot; then I'll be glad to train you - providing you meet the following criteria, which are mine and a little harder to achieve than the BHPA's:

A - You have a minimum of 250 flying hours over at least five years, at least 100 of those in thermic conditions (preferably abroad).

B - You are qualified to BHPA Advanced Pilot level or Para Pro stage 5.

C - You are a full member of the British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association.

D - Your ground handling skills are nothing short of excellent.

E - You have completed a FULL SIV course that included stalls and spins.

F - You are a minimum of 25 years of age.

G - You have a letter of approval from your club's Chairman or Chief Coach stating that in the club committee's opinion, you are a safe and responsible pilot with the right attitude for tandem flying.

H - You fly a minimum average of at least 75 hours airtime a year.

I - You are first-aid qualified.

Tough requirements aren't they? I'm sorry, but I will not budge on any of these. If I give you a tandem rating and you were to hurt someone through inexperience or a poor attitude toward safety, then I would consider myself responsible.

Your training would consist of the following:

A - To fly as a passenger at least once in all of the following conditions: Light wind, strong wind and thermic/gusty conditions. This is important because it will give you an insight as to how it feels for your passenger.

B - Fly a minimum of four flights (normally more) in each of the above weather conditions as 'Pilot in Charge'.

C - Learn how to fully 'pre-flight brief' the passenger for maximum safety and understanding of what will be happening before and during the flight and what to expect on landing.

D - Demonstrate very good ground-handling ability with the tandem glider.

E - Learn how to cope with emergency (and awkward passenger) situations (I can be a terrible passenger).

The cost for this training course is only £350.00 or free if you buy a new tandem wing from me. A new tandem setup (glider, 2 harnesses and reserve parachute) will cost in the region of £3,500 to £4,000.

After qualifying, it will cost you £90.00 to register your new rating with the BHPA. You will also have to pay an extra £80.00 insurance supplement per year on top of your usual membership fee.

WARNING: There is now only £25,000 liability insurance cover available for tandem (hill) pilots under the BHPA insurance policy.

Please note that in the UK:

A - Once qualified as a tandem pilot you can only fly with non-paying passengers.

B - You can only charge for a tandem flight if you are an experienced instructor working for a BHPA registered school.

To book a course, simply contact me by email.

trevor@skygypsy.co.uk