Answers to frequently asked questions for our UK courses...

Q. How safe is paragliding?
A. As a qualified pilot, paragliding is as safe as you make it. Equipment failures are unheard of, but accidents do happen and almost all can be put down to pilot error - the most common being taking off in unsuitable conditions for the skill level of the pilot. Whilst under training the instructors make many of these decisions for you so the risks are significantly reduced. However, all students must understand that the risk of injusry remains a real possibility that can never be entirely elimintated. To view accident statistics in schools click here. SunSoar Paragliding Ltd have taken every step possible to reduce the risk and are the industry leaders in developing an exhaustive safety policy and carrying out a comprehensive risk assesment. To view our outline safety policy, click here. Students are highly recommended to ensure they have adequate personal accident cover. Click here for more info.

Q. How weather dependent is paragliding?
A. Very! We cannot fly in strong winds (greater than about 18mph) or in heavy rain. This means that realistically we fly less than one in two days during the season. However, the weather patterns often mean we have a good spell followed by a bad spell. Dont come into the sport expecting to be able to fly every day but bear in mind that there is often a couple of hours in the evening when the wind drops even on a windy day. Once qualified you will pick up alot of airtime in these 'windows'.

Q. Do I lose my day if the weather is bad?
A. No. We operate a phone-in weather check system on each day of your course to try and avoid you wasting the journey to the centre. If the day is called off, you simply re-book it for another date.

Q. Does the course cost include accident insurance?
A. No. You will sign up to the BHPA when you arrive and this gives you third party cover only. As BHPA instructors we do not have any liability insurance so we strongly recommend that you consider taking out adequate personal accident insurance.

Q. How long do I have to complete my course?
A. 2 years. So long as you make frequent efforts to book in we may extend this. However if you do not make efforts to book in and long periods elapse between sessions you may need to drop back a day to refresh. In this case we may charge you for this unless of course the time between sessions was because of weather factors.

Q. When do you operate your courses?
A. Although we try to teach year-round, the season is really between easter and the end of October. The summer months offer the most consistent conditions and we try to run our trips abroad to lengthen the flyable season.

Q. How fit do I need to be?
A. We provide a medical questionaire with your booking form so you can self certify your fitness. If you are over 55 we ask that you get your doctor to countersign this too. In basic terms you need to be fit enough for a moderate days hill walking, capable of running short distances and not have any pre-existing illness or injury that may make falling over on grass a problem. If you have any doubts, talk to us first.