Ian Garforth

Hi all, I just want to find out a bit more information about the PMC route of learning paramotoring. I have no experience of paragliding (though some of flying - I'm 30 hours into my NPPL microlight licence). As I understand it, some people go down the BHPA route, and qualify first as an EP, and then take 2 or 3 days of conversion training for Power which gives them the BHPA accreditation, and they then are covered by BHPA insurance. As I understand it, the PMC route carries no 'accreditation' (though neither in a sense does the BHPA - it's only their internal qualification, which is only to allow you access to their insurance scheme), but you can get the AXA insurance anyway. With regards to powered flight it's then just a matter of finding somewhere to fly from. However, for unpowered flight, the BHPA route is probably the only sensible solution in that most of the possible launch sites for unpowered have been snapped up by affiliated clubs to the BHPA (though of course you'd still need to do the CP qualification). If I went down the PMC route, how does this work? I live in Bristol - how do I find an instructor? Is it normal to learn on their equipment..? Any thoughts or advice would be very gratefully received. Many thanks in advance.