Tandem Training Academy

BHPA Dual Pilot courses
run in UK and abroad

Sky Summits is dedicated to provide excellent Air Experience Flights to our clients and students within a safe and structured environment.


Dual Pilot Courses

Designed to comprehensively cover all the training required for the BHPA Tandem Pilot licence with our team of experienced instructors. We run courses both in UK and abroad

Air Experience Lessons

We also teach low airtime students who will benefit from dual training with an experienced instructor in close proximity

Buy Tandem Gear

We only fly using the best gear and encourage you to do the same. Get great deals on Advance, BGD, Gin and Ozone when you train with us

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Sky Summits

BHPA Dual Pilot Course

Designed to comprehensively cover all the training required for the BHPA Tandem Pilot licence with our experienced dual instructors, this intensive course includes all the theory and practical work you will require to become a safe and skilled tandem pilot. This includes developing your interaction with the passenger prior to and during the flight.

You will have an opportunity to carry out plenty of launches, short flights and landings, exploring a variety of techniques. The course will involve flying as the pilot and as the passenger.

When you have completed sufficient flights and reached the required standard, a mock examination will be conducted by your instructors. At the end of this, you should be ready for the BHPA examination.

Note: the BHPA dual examination fees are not included but Sky Summits will arrange for a BHPA examiner to be available to test at the end of the course. Be warned that the standard required by the BHPA is very high and there is no guarantee of a pass !

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Sky Summits

Training Format & Tandem Gear

Sky Summits

Course Fees & Location

Our training course fees are £240 / 2 days.
Practice session with our AE instructor is £120/day.

Based on the prevailing weather, our courses are usually conducted from and around Rhossili, Pandy or Long Myndd.


We offer 2 day intensive training courses, which can be done either mid-week or over a weekend, depending on availability and weather.

You can then go away and practice with a buddy who holds a tandem licence. Alternatively, you can recruit one of our instructors for practice day sessions.

When you feel ready, you can book another 2 day session where our team will evaluate you and prepare you for the BHPA exams.

This format ensures you get the best value for money and get adequate time between the two sessions to practice and build your skills. 

The level of solo piloting required for this course is 'Expert'.

Rhossili

Tandem Gear

If you are serious about becoming a tandem pilot, purchasing and practicing with your own gear is a definite advantage.

You can avail a 20% concession on the course fees when you  bring your own tandem equipment to use for training.

We are dealers for most brands of paragliding equipment, so do feel free to talk to us and get good advice.


Course Content

Training Day 1 & 2

  • Pilot introductions and aims
  • Paperwork check
  • Equipment discussion and check
  • Written mock test and discussion
  • Solo flying practice
  • Groundhandling (dual system)
  • Pre-flight briefings & rehearsals 
  • Passenger position flights
  • Pilot position flights
  • Interview discussion and practice

Practice Sessions

  • Personal training flights

Refresher Day 3 & 4

  • Return for mock exam
  • Confirmatory Q and A session
  • Paperwork update
  • BHPA exam application
  • BHPA exam application

BHPA Exam

  • External examination 
  • This exam is conducted by a BHPA Technical officer, with a licensed dual pilot (from Sky Summits if required)



Please note, this course content is structured on the assumption that the solo piloting level is ‘Expert’. Additional training days may be recommended by the CFI, based on individual aptitude and skill levels.
Order may vary depending on weather conditions, to make the most out of each training day.

Book Training Course Book Refresher Session Book Practice Session Buy Tandem Gear
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Sky Summits

The Sky Summits Advantage

We aim to provide the highest standard of training whilst ensuring that risks to your safety are kept as low as reasonably practicable

Our well established training methodology ensures
you get the best practices nailed down

Provided you have the right aptitude, our holistic and intensive training will prepare you and greatly increase your chances for clearing a very tough independent examination by the BHPA, which is in 3 phases :
- an interview
- practical flying exercises
- a multi-choice written exam


Besides summer training in UK, we also offer intensive tandem training tours abroad, where the weather is more predictable and you can get a lot of repetitive practice to perfect your technique

BHPA Training Pre-Requisites

Full annual BHPA membership with a Pilot rating and
in current flying practice

You must be a BHPA Pilot rated paraglider hill pilot, have logged at least 200 flying hours in the hill environment, acquired over at least 50 separate flights and have carried out at least 20 solo flights in the previous 6 months

You will need good communication skills and be able to brief your passengers clearly. The standard of piloting required is 'Expert'

With effect from 01 Jan 2022, you must have completed and logged a solo Advanced Glider Control course (SIV) in the last 3 years

With effect from 01 Jan 2022, you must hold a valid first aid certificate that shows that you have completed a (minimum) 1 day first aid course.

Meet Your Air Experience Instructors

Our team of highly skilled instructors have hundreds of hours of experience flying solo and tandem, and are all BHPA qualified Air Experience Instructors

Pete

Pete Gallagher

Chief Flying Instructor

Pete is a legend and the Chief Flying Instructor at Sky Summits. He is a BHPA senior instructor and has been flying paragliders for 20 years.  He had a long career in the Army before settling in to teaching paragliding in all forms. Pete is a keen cross-country pilot, tandem pilot and speed flyer. He is also a massively experienced skydiver and BASE jumper. He has done it all.

Geordie

Geordie Petts

AE Instructor, XC Guide, Tandem Pilot

Geordie is a seasoned XC guide. He has considerable knowledge in all aspects of flying, guiding and teaching. He is dedicated to the sport, flying and working around the world as a guide and instructor. He is also a paragliding Air Experience Instructor, and transfers what he has learnt, both solo and tandem, enjoying the progression his students make.

Andy

Andy Mac

AE Instructor, XC Guide, Tandem Pilot

Andy has had a career in aviation and is currently a professional helicopter pilot instructor.  He is a paragliding instructor and AEI, DSC Chief Coach. With a wealth of aviation knowledge, he supports the BHPA with his technical knowledge.  Andy enjoys teaching all things aviation. For him, paragliding exercises the mind and calms the soul.

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