Step by step · 8 guides

Paragliding: from first flight to instructor

Start with your first flights at a BHPA school, then work up the pilot ratings. From there you can coach at your club, train as an instructor or fly competitions. Every step is here in order.

Quick links

Prices

What it costs

Experience day
£140 to £230 per person (BHPA day membership sometimes extra)
Become qualified
£1,250 to £1,700 (Elementary Pilot + Club Pilot; BHPA membership extra)
Per day
£140 to £200 a day

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

Governing body

Competitions

Start here

  1. Step 1: Learning to paraglide in the UK: how to get startedLearn to paraglide in the UK. Then work up the ratings.Read the guide →

Pilot ratings track

  1. Step 2: Elementary Pilot and Club Pilot: from first hop to flying soloElementary Pilot and Club Pilot: from first hop to flying solo.Read the guide →
  2. Step 3: BHPA Pilot rating: get qualified to fly cross-countryBHPA Pilot rating: get qualified to fly cross-country.Read the guide →
  3. Step 4: BHPA Advanced Pilot: the top paragliding ratingBHPA Advanced Pilot: the top paragliding rating.Read the guide →

Coach track

Club Coach needs Club Pilot (step 2) plus 10 hours on the hill or 50 tow flights. Senior Coach needs the Pilot rating (step 3).

  1. Step 5: BHPA Club Coach and Senior Coach: help new pilots progressBHPA Club Coach and Senior Coach: help new pilots progress.Read the guide →

Instructor track

Needs the Pilot rating (step 3) plus 25 launches.

  1. Step 6: BHPA paragliding Instructor and Senior Instructor: teach new pilotsBHPA paragliding Instructor and Senior Instructor: teach new pilots.Read the guide →

Competition track

  1. Step 7: Paragliding competitions in the UK: XC League, BP Cup and the British ChampsParagliding competitions in the UK: XC League, BP Cup and the British Champs.Read the guide →

For everyone

  1. Step 8: Paragliding in the UK: prices, who runs what, and safetyParagliding in the UK: prices, who runs what, and safety.Read the guide →

Ready to start? The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport, or use the enquiry form to have a coach found for you.