How to Get Into Paragliding in the UK: A Beginner’s Guide

One of the questions I get asked more than almost anything else is:

“How do I start paragliding?”

People see videos of me flying over mountains, coastlines and valleys and think “that looks incredible… but where do you even begin?”

And honestly, this is exactly why I share what I do.

The reason I create content around paragliding, adventure and creativity is because I want more people to realise these worlds are accessible. I want people to see something that inspires them and think: “maybe I could do that.”

So if you’ve ever watched my flights and wondered how to get into paragliding in the UK, this is where to start.

Understanding the structure of paragliding in the UK

When you first start looking into paragliding, it can seem quite confusing. You’ll hear people talking about the BHPA, clubs, schools, ratings and flying sites.

But the structure is actually quite simple:

1. BHPA (national governing body)
⬇️
2. Paragliding clubs (communities + flying sites)
⬇️
3. Paragliding schools (where you train)
⬇️
4. You (becoming a pilot)

Let’s break that down.

The BHPA: the organisation at the top

The British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) is the national governing body for paragliding and hang gliding in the UK.

They set the training standards, oversee pilot ratings, support clubs and schools, and provide the insurance framework that allows the sport to operate.

When you train, you will normally train through a BHPA-approved school. Once you become a qualified pilot, you become a BHPA member.

Important note: BHPA membership is not a “licence” like driving a car

One thing that often confuses people is the idea of a “paragliding licence”.

In the UK, BHPA membership is not a legal licence in the same way a driving licence is.

You don’t pass a government test, receive a licence and then have permission to fly anywhere.

Instead, the BHPA system provides the structure that keeps the sport organised and safe.

Your BHPA membership gives you:

• Third-party insurance, which is essential for flying at most UK sites

• Access to recognised training standards through BHPA-approved schools

• A pathway through the recognised pilot ratings

• Support and representation for pilots, clubs and schools

Your pilot rating shows your level of training and experience, while your club membership gives you access to many of the flying sites around the UK.

Paragliding clubs: the communities and the flying sites

The next layer is the clubs.

This is where many people get confused.

Clubs are not businesses.

Most paragliding clubs are run by volunteers who give their time to look after flying sites, communicate with landowners, organise social events and support pilots.

The UK is split into different regions, with local clubs looking after the flying sites in those areas.

For example, in South Wales you have clubs such as South East Wales Paragliding Club and South West Wales Soaring Club.

These clubs maintain relationships with landowners and help protect access to the incredible flying sites around the UK.

To fly many sites independently, you will need to be a member of the relevant club.

The other important thing to understand is that paragliding is a very social sport — but it works differently from many others.

There isn’t one place where everyone meets every weekend. Pilots are spread across different hills, valleys and coastlines, so you often need to find your own little group of people to fly with.

That community is one of the best parts of the sport.

Paragliding schools: where you actually learn

This is where you start.

Paragliding schools are businesses. They are the people who teach you how to fly.

You don’t learn through a club, you learn through a school.

Your school will teach you everything from the basics:

• How to handle a wing

• Launching and landing

• Understanding weather

• Air law

• Safety procedures

• Emergency situations

• Progressing through your pilot ratings

For example, I learned with Crickhowell Paragliding, who are part of the South East Wales Paragliding Club.

It took me about 10 days to becoming a qualified Club Pilot.

Your journey: from complete beginner to pilot

Most people start with a trial flight or an introductory day.

This gives you the chance to experience paragliding before committing to the full training pathway. For many people, that first flight is the moment they realise: “I need to do more of this.”

If you decide to continue, you begin your training with a BHPA-approved school.

Your first qualification is usually the Elementary Pilot (EP) rating.

This is where you learn the foundations of flying, including:

• Ground handling and controlling the wing

• Launching and landing

• Basic flight skills

• Understanding weather

• Safety procedures

Some people may complete this stage in a few days, but everyone progresses differently. Paragliding is completely weather dependent, so your training timeline depends on having suitable flying conditions.

After your Elementary Pilot rating, you progress towards your Club Pilot (CP) rating.

This is the important milestone where you can start becoming more independent. Once you hold your Club Pilot rating, you can join a BHPA-affiliated club, access club flying sites and begin flying regularly as a qualified pilot.

For context, my own journey took around 10 days of training from starting out to becoming a Club Pilot. I did have some previous skydiving experience, which helped me understand some aspects of air sports, but everyone’s journey is different.

The biggest factor is time spent flying, learning and building confidence in the right conditions.

How much does it cost to learn paragliding?

The cost varies depending on the school, location and weather, but most UK schools currently charge around £160-£175 per day for training.

The number of days you need will depend on your progress and the conditions during your training.

Once you qualify, you will also need your own equipment.

Unlike some sports, hiring equipment long-term in the UK isn’t really common. Most pilots eventually invest in their own wing, harness and safety equipment.

The good news is that there is a very active second-hand market, and buying used equipment is a great way to get started.

A realistic budget for a complete beginner setup is around £2,000–£3,000.

Learning abroad vs learning in the UK

A lot of people ask whether they should learn abroad.

And the answer is: yes, you absolutely can.

Many pilots learn in places with more reliable weather, such as France, Spain, Portugal and other popular flying destinations.

However, if your goal is to fly regularly in the UK, I would strongly recommend considering learning with a UK school.

The reason isn’t just the training itself, it’s the community you build.

Your school is often your first connection into the flying world. Your instructors, fellow students and the pilots you meet during training can become the people you fly with for years afterwards.

What happens after you qualify?

Getting your Club Pilot (CP) rating is only the beginning.

For many pilots, the next goal is to progress into cross-country flying.

This is where you start using thermals, understanding weather in more depth and flying longer distances rather than simply soaring a local hill.

To progress towards this level, you can work towards your Pilot (P) rating, while continuing to build experience, fly regularly and learn from more experienced pilots.

The Pilot rating is a step towards becoming a more confident and independent pilot, opening up opportunities to explore more advanced flying and longer flights.

Some people also move into other forms of flight sports, such as:

Parakiting: using a smaller wing to develop control, technique and ground-handling skills.

Speed flying: a completely different discipline using smaller, faster wings designed for dynamic flying close to terrain. Speed flying requires separate training, different equipment and a different approach to flying. It should not be seen simply as the “next step” after paragliding.

Each discipline has its own skills, equipment and risks.

The best part of paragliding

Yes, the views are incredible.

Yes, taking off from a mountain and soaring above the landscape is something that’s hard to describe.

But the people are what make this sport special.

It’s a community of people who love adventure, the outdoors and pushing themselves beyond what they thought was possible.

And if seeing my content has made you think “I want to try that” — then that’s exactly why I share it.

Maybe this is your sign to take the first step.

See you in the sky.

Katie

Want to keep following my flying adventures?

You can find more of my flights, adventures and behind-the-scenes content across my social channels linked at the bottom of this website. 

And if this journey has inspired you to bring a piece of the adventure into your own home, you can explore my original artwork and prints.