Paragliding in the UK: prices, who runs what, and safety
What paragliding training costs in the UK, how the BHPA runs the sport, and the safety basics.
In this guide
- What you need first: Nothing. Start here.
- What's next: Learn to paraglide.
Prices
Typical UK school prices:
- An experience day: £140 to £230 per person. BHPA day membership is sometimes extra.
- Getting qualified (EP plus CP): £1,250 to £1,700. Annual BHPA membership is extra.
- A day's training: £140 to £200.
BHPA fees (from 1 April 2026):
- One Day Introductory Membership: £33, or £5 if you're under 21.
- Trial Membership: £120 for 3 months, with no joining fee.
- Annual Flying Membership: £192, plus a £35 joining fee. It's £172 for concessions (21 and under, 67 and over, or disabled).
- Each rating (CP, Pilot, Advanced Pilot) or added environment: £20.
- IPPI card for flying abroad: £20.
- Club Coach course: £35, or £25 for a retake. The Instructor course is £450 and the Senior Instructor course is £200.
Who runs what
- BHPA: oversees pilot and instructor training standards, supports the UK's clubs and registered schools, and provides airworthiness standards and coaching courses for hang gliding and paragliding.
- BHPA registered schools: where all initial training must happen. They're monitored for safety, training quality and equipment, and their instructors are licensed by the BHPA.
- Clubs: look after flying sites, and many offer club coaching.
- FAI and CIVL: the international level. The IPPI card comes from the FAI, and you get it through the BHPA office.
Safety basics
- You must be at least 14 to fly solo or hold a BHPA rating. Under-18s need a parent's or guardian's consent form.
- You don't need a medical, but you should be fit and in good health. If you have a condition such as epilepsy, fainting, high blood pressure, a heart condition or diabetes, ask your doctor first.
- Membership includes £5 million third-party insurance, but not personal accident cover. Get personal or travel insurance from an independent broker.
- You need the Pilot rating to fly cross-country, partly so you can stay clear of controlled airspace.
- Poor signal? Register for emergency SMS before you go by texting "register" to 999.
Source: BHPA home, Registered Schools, Learn to Fly, BHPA Fees, Technical Manual (Amendment 24), Who can fly cross-country? and In an Emergency, BHPA, checked October 2026.
Governing body: British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA). It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for paragliding, 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.
