SolentSkipper

On ‎31‎/‎08‎/‎2019 at 08:24, paraflyer17 said:

I just know for myself and others I've spoken to, it can be very difficult to manage training in the UK around other committments, especially if the nearest school is some distance away. Training abroad can end up being the only option.

I'm not sure what the answer is though. Speaking as a beginner, it can be very difficult to know who is good and who isn't.

Definitely agree with these sentiments - I have been keen to commence training for the past couple of months and looked at lots of options, (including even watching Dell Schanze videos as well and which are very convincing and based on these, is a really good, cost effective option for what appears to be really intensive training with lots of hands on / flying time AND reliable conditions).

Unfortunately  however, I have still not been able to commit to a decision due to the various 'for's' and 'againsts' that seem to crop up...

• ABBI or BHPA
• UK or overseas
• Weekends or only or intensive
• EP and CP combined (zero to hero) or split training
• Paramotoring straight away or paraglide and then conversion
• Purchase first and train free (or heavily discounted) OR train first then buy (some give a credit back and some don't)
• Train with school equipment but if you damage it (as an ab initio student) you have to pay out for damages / replacements

One friend trained with a UK based school and said it was really well organised and highly recommended them so I thought great - word of mouth recommendation must be good as he is actively flying now, until chatting with another chap who said of the same school, he had a very poor experience with them overseas and now has 'credit' to carry on more training but at the cost of more flights and accommodation and will have to go back to the start as it has been so long...

With conflicting opinions like these, as a 'noob', even word of mouth seems not to count for much and so can be confusing.  Despite pretty much everyone advising to speak to others and find out about their experiences I still am no further along...

I guess that at some point I will need to take the plunge and commit but with an initially high capital outlay for training I don't want to invest irresponsibly but don't want to drop a bollock by not purchasing equipment first and missing out on genuine discounts....nor can I afford to balls up completely and be charged £5,000 for replacement kit (school or my own)...

3 hours ago, Hann__ said:

That`ll be a nice place to fly from (around) once you`ve got your training done, coastal flying is really great.

I quite often fly from the mainland to the island, most recently was last Friday - did you see me!? (whereabouts on the island are you?)

 

 

 

Hi Hann,

Live in Whippingham - was going to pop along and see Pad and the team on the island 3222re paragliding first.  Be good to have a beer and chat about your experience and any thoughts on training...

Gordon

5 hours ago, admin (Simon W) said:

Hi Gordon, 

1. Personal experience would suggest that the UK has a higher standard of training than Spain. Quite a few people are coming back with a CP rating without the very basic knowledge required to set the kit up let alone stay safely. Also, the weather in the UK is different and you will almost certainly be a better pilot by learning in varied conditions. (a requirement in all other forms of aviation is that you have flown in varied conditions which totally makes sense) 

2. I will let someone else answer that one! LOL 

3. This is not a bad option but will take considerably more time overall 

4. Pick your school carefully, go and see them, ask for confirmation of this in advance.

5. Think of all the money you will save when you no longer need the ferry !!. On a serious note, again pick a school that are flexible with your availability and the weather.

MOST OF ALL, ENJOY!!! 

Welcome to the Paramotor Club!! 

SW

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your words of wisdom and advice - I think we need to chat...!  I'm away this weekend but definitely catch up and have a discussion about training...

Paul is an absolute inspiration and a fantastic ambassador for the sport.  His videos which I have watched from day one to the present have been helpful, informative, relevant and above all, honest.  So much so, that I am now keen to commence training this autumn...!

The most difficult thing for me is deciding where and when to do my training - I am almost now at the point of information overload and internally debating a whole range of questions such as :-

1.  Should I train in the UK or nail it by going overseas and then consolidate here - keen to get going but the UK 'summer' and being based on the Isle of Wight presents logistical problems which may prolong training and drag it out to the point of skill loss in between sessions

2.  Is Dell Schanze's training really that super - on face value I could easily go to the States for a couple of weeks and compared to others training blurb, seems more intensive and outcome focussed with real results although he is a bit Marmite and there seems to be lots of 'exchanges' between him and other training centres about who is good / bad / indifferent

3.  Should I do a (initially more cost effective) paraglider course and then a power conversion as a staged approach

4.  Is all training equipment use at the students own cost if damaged - heard horror stories of anywhere between £2000 and £5000 cost incurred as a result of heavy landings / damage etc and all at student cost

5.  Accommodation when training (as well as travel costs) are extremely prohibitive - an example is a ferry off the Isle of Wight costing up to £150 return plus accommodation overnight assuming weekends only equals around £200 per weekend - that's another £1000 minimum to add to training costs before I've even started...hence overseas options appearing more attractive...

All above just thoughts but great that Paul and Clive and others have inspired me to get into the sport - all feedback gratefully received...!

Gordon