BHPA Dual Pilot for hang gliders: flying with a passenger

• What it is: A BHPA licence to carry a passenger on a hang glider certified for two.
• What you need first: Annual Flying Membership, age 18 or over, and the Pilot rating with the right environment. Plus the logged flying below.
• Cost: The BHPA's Dual Pilot exam is £150 (£175 to re-sit), and the licence registration is £121, including the insurance supplement (fees from 1 April 2026). Training costs aren't published.
• What's next: Teaching track: to take paying passengers you also need to be an Instructor or Air Experience Instructor (Dual) working in a registered school. See coaches and instructors. Pilot track: Advanced Pilot.

The three hang gliding licences

• Dual Pilot Hang Glider (Hill)
• Dual Pilot Hang Glider (Tow)
• Dual Pilot Hang Glider (Aerotow)

Hang gliders can't be flown dual under power.

Before you start training

1. Be a BHPA Annual Flying Member.
2. Be 18 or over.
3. Hold at least the Pilot rating, with the environment you want to fly dual in.
4. Have logged 200 flying hours (over at least 50 flights) or 250 launches, in that environment.
5. Currency: at least 20 launches in the last 6 months. For aerotow, at least 10 aerotows in the last 12 months, with at least 3 in the last 6 months.
6. Get a letter of support from your Club Chair or CFI.

Training for hang gliders

• Passenger suitability, risk warning, care and briefing.
• At least one launch as the passenger.
• Wheeled and stand-up landings.
• At least four launches as pilot in command.
• Tow or aerotow: bridle and kit checks, and trolley or wheeled launches. Aerotow candidates must also know the BHPA's aerotow appendix.

Before the exam you need an in-date first aid certificate (a one-day course of at least 6 hours) and a signed Dual Licences Medical Declaration. Want to add another launch method later? You meet all the requirements again, do the full training and pass an assessment.

Rules once you're licensed

• No pay unless you're also an Instructor or Air Experience Instructor (Dual), working in a registered school, and the flight has clear training content.
• Give every passenger a pre-flight safety briefing. It's a legal responsibility.
• Certified dual gliders only, inside the weight range. Both of you need a properly fitted harness, and you must carry an emergency parachute.
• Daylight only, under visual flight rules.
• Passengers under 18 need written parental permission. There's no lower or upper age limit, but they must be fit and able to follow a briefing.

Source: Technical Manual (Amendment 24) (sections 1.3.8, 4.1.6, 4.2.7, 4.3.1 and Section 1 Chapter 2 Appendix B) and BHPA Fees, BHPA, checked October 2026.

Governing body: British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA). It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for hang gliding, so it's the official place to find out more.

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.