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Info & FAQs

If you have any questions about our Paragliding Courses or Tandem Paraglider Flights or Flybubble Paragliding Gift Vouchers then please first read through all of the INFO & FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on this page, and also the information in the following sections of the Flybubble Paragliding website:

• How Do I Start Paragliding
• Learn To Paraglide
• Tandem Paraglider Flights

If you still have more questions after reading through all of the INFO & FAQs on this page and the information in the Learn To Paraglide, How do I Start and Tandem Paraglider Flights sections of this website then please Contact Us

Yes. We offer Flybubble Paragliding Gift Vouchers for all of our Tandem Paraglider Flights and Paragliding Courses as well as for buying Gifts and Paragliding Equipment; these are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

You can find out more about Flybubble Paragliding Gift Vouchers on the Gift Vouchers page of our website.
You can buy Flybubble Paragliding Gift Vouchers from the special Gift Vouchers section of the Flybubble Online Shop.

If you'd like to buy a Flybubble Paragliding Course, Tandem Paraglider Flight or a Gift Voucher then please see the following sections of the Flybubble Paragliding website and Flybubble Online Shop for more details:

• Flybubble Paragliding > Buy a Paragliding Course, Tandem Flight or Gift Voucher
• Flybubble Paragliding > Gift Vouchers
• Flybubble Online Shop > Gift Vouchers
• Flybubble Online Shop > Learn To Paraglide Paragliding Lessons
• Flybubble Online Shop > Tandem Paragliding Dual Paraglider Flights

We teach paragliding, and fly tandem paraglider flights, on a variety of superb flying sites in the county of Sussex, in the South East of England, weekdays and weekends and throughout the year - whenever the weather conditions are suitable for safe flying!

The flying sites we fly from are located all along on the beautiful South Downs hills range, spread out roughly between and around the City of Brighton & Hove, and the towns of Lewes and Eastbourne.

Which site we fly on the day (if the weather is suitable for flying) depends on the wind direction, as we need the wind coming up (not down) the slope to be able to launch and fly safely!

We run our paragliding courses and fly tandem paraglider flights from Thursdays to Sundays throughout the year subject to suitable weather conditions. We are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and for the occasional paragliding trip abroad (our website will usually have details about these) and holidays. As you might expect, we are usually busier on weekends; these can sometimes be booked up several weekends in advance, especially from April through to September.

Although not everyone can fly a paraglider safely, you don't have to be 'superman' (or superwoman!) to do so. There are however some age restrictions, and some common-sense health and fitness considerations to think about, some of which we have outlined below...

For paragliding you need to be over 14 years old. Under 18's need written, signed parental consent to paraglide.

Young people between 14 and 17 years of age (i.e. under 18) require written consent to paraglide (either flying solo or tandem) from their parents. Parents should also come along on the day so they can be sure they are satisfied we are doing everything we can to look after their safety.

You should be fit and active; have good co-ordination and an alert, reasoning mind. Although no medical examinations are officially required you should be in generally good health.

If you suffer from any medical condition such as epilepsy, fainting, giddiness, high blood pressure, heart condition or diabetes you should ask your Doctor's advice.

You don’t need to be especially fit to fly tandem on a paraglider, although you may have to run for around 5-10 meters (15-30 feet) or more for the take-off and landing and you should be aware that it is possible to fall over on take-off or landing - although of course our highly experienced tandem pilots will do their utmost to ensure you have the most comfortable and enjoyable flying experience possible. Once in the air you will be able to sit back in a comfortable padded paragliding harness and enjoy the wonderful views from above!

If you have any doubts or concerns at all regarding your health or fitness to paraglide then please Contact Us and we will try to advise you in confidence as best we can.

It's not so much about how old you are, it's more about how good your general level of fitness, health and mental state is. Other considerations to think about are things like your eyesight, any medical conditions you may have which may affect your ability to fly, your mental health/state and ability to make rational decisions etc.

You need to be reasonably fit and able to run and jump around for sustained periods. You will need to be able to carry a 12-15 kg pack up hills. For take-off and landing you may need to run (sometimes quite quickly) for 10-20 metres or more whilst wearing a paragliding harness.

Your eyesight needs to good enough so that you can see obstacles 100's of feet away, and be able judge your height and approach in to land correctly.

Yes, there are different upper and lower weight limits for either doing a tandem paraglider flight or taking part in a paragliding course with us. This is due to the certified all-up weight ranges of the tandem and solo paragliders we use in our paragliding school, which must be strictly adhered to. A paraglider flown outside of it's certified weight range is therefore not certified, and may not be safe to fly (it could be extremely dangerous) therefore we only ever fly paragliders within their certified weight ranges.

The lower weight limit for doing a tandem paraglider flight with us is 30 Kg (4.5 Stone). The upper weight limit for tandem paraglider flight with us is 110 Kg (17.5 Stone).

The lower weight limit for taking part in a paragliding course with us is 45 Kg (7 Stone). The upper weight limit for taking part in a paragliding course with us is 110 Kg (17.5 Stone).

If you weigh more than 110 Kg (17.5 Stone) then you may still be able to do a paragliding course with us, but you would have to buy your own paraglider, which had the appropriate certified all-up weight range for you and was of the appropriate level for learning to fly on, before you could begin your course. You would then be trained using that paraglider, which would be of the appropriate level and weight range for yourself. We can advise you on the best equipment to buy, with a suitable weight range and of the appropriate level to learn on, and we can supply you with this equipment.

As regards height, we don't have 'official' height restrictions - you just have to fit into the paragliding harness. We haven't had anyone (so far!) who was too small or too big to fit into one of our harnesses who also satisfied the weight limits (see weight limits FAQ above) for tandem paraglider flights or paragliding courses (due to the certified weight ranges of our paragliders).

Unfortunately this is just not possible. Due to the fact that paragliding is a totally weather dependent activity, we cannot give a 'definite yes' at any stage, not until after the flights have been completed. Such is the nature of paragliding and the weather!

For tandem paraglider flights, we usually meet up at the appropriate flying site for the wind and weather conditions (or at a meeting point somewhere nearby) sometime between 09:00 and 9:30am - but this can vary considerably depending on various factors, especially the weather.

We will confirm what time to meet us, where to meet and how to get there, when you phone us the evening before you are booked in for the weather check.

There is no such thing as a 'typical' tandem paraglider flight; no two flights are ever exactly the same! Flying conditions can vary considerably from one day - and even flight - to the next. The main factor for this is completely out of our control - i.e. the weather! There are also many other factors which may affect how long it takes to complete the flight, of which there are too many to mention here!

Given the appropriate conditions for safe flying, an 'average' tandem paraglider flight (including meeting you on the hill, getting everything ready, our necessary pre-flight briefing and training, the flight itself and, finally, the landing) could take at least one hour or two from start to finish. This can vary considerably however, depending on various factors - the weather on the day, how many other people are booked in to fly, your health and fitness, and any other factors outside of our control. We strongly recommend that you leave the whole day open, just in case we have to wait for the right conditions to do the flight - which is not at all unusual with paragliding!

The same as for the paragliding courses, the more flexible you can be on the day, the better chance you have of having your tandem paraglider flight, and getting the best flight possible!

There is no such thing as a 'typical' paragliding course - this can vary considerably from one day to the next! One of the main factors for this is completely out of our control - i.e. the weather!

Other major factors are things like the individual's fitness and their personal rate of progress, which varies considerably from one person to another, and how many other people are taking part in the course. There are also many, many other factors which may affect how long it takes to complete the day's paragliding course, and exactly what get's done, but there are (far!) too many to mention all of them here. Suffice to say that we will always try to get as much done as is reasonably possible, whilst keeping safety as our number one priority.

The same as for the tandem paraglider flights, the more flexible you can be on the day, the better chance you have of getting the most out of your paragliding course!

For our paragliding courses, we would normally meet up on the hill (or somewhere nearby) sometime between 09:00 and 10:00am - but this can vary considerably depending on various factors, especially the weather!

We will confirm what time we are meeting, where we are meeting, and how to get there, when you phone the evening before you are booked in for the weather check.

For our paragliding courses, a ‘normal’ day’s teaching (bearing in mind that there is no such thing as 'normal' with paragliding and/or the weather) could finish anytime from around 13:00 to 16:00, but this can vary considerably depending on various factors, such as the weather or an individual's fitness and rate of progress.

No, the course days don't have to be taken consecutively. You can take them consecutively or individually - it is up to you. If possible, we advise that you should try and take the days of your course consecutively, to give better continuation, if you can. In any case, there is never any guarantee that the weather may be suitable for safe flying on all of the days!

As we strictly limit numbers, to avoid over-booking and give a better service, we can only book you in according to the credit you have with us.

For tandem paraglider flights we can only book you in for one date at a time.

For paragliding courses we can only book you in according to the number of days training credit you have with us.

If the weather forecasts are not looking good for safe flying on the day you are booked in, then we will have to cancel the day and you will then need to rebook for another day. THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL, AND CAN HAPPEN A FEW (OR EVEN SEVERAL) TIMES IF YOU ARE UNLUCKY WITH THE WEATHER.

So, fingers crossed for the weather bringing us suitable, safe conditions for flying!!

We will provide you with the paragliding equipment necessary for your training – the paraglider, paragliding harness and a suitable paragliding helmet. You will need to bring everything else!

For both paragliding courses and tandem paraglider flights, wearing the right clothing and footwear is very important! Here are some guidelines to help you...

You may have periods of intense activity (e.g. walking up the hill!) and other times where you may have to sit and wait for the right wind and weather conditions. You may have to contend with the chill factor of the prevailing wind, so it makes sense to go properly prepared. Layers of light but warm shirts/sweaters mixed with a windproof on top are much better than just one or two thick heavy garments. Wearing an overall or similar is a good idea; if you have some waterproof overalls or a one-piece ski suit, so much the better.

It is a good idea to bring along some waterproof overalls, just in case we get caught out by a rain shower. A pair of warm gloves is a very good idea, especially in cooler weather (even if you take them off to fly!), ideally not too thick. Take along a waterproof jacket that you can slip on over everything; you won't fly when it's raining but sometimes low cloud over the hills can have the same effect!

Apart from all the walking that your feet are going to get, they need to be kept dry.

Good flexible hill walking boots are best, alternatively footwear that does not have slippy soles and preferably that does have good ankle support.

Ideally your footwear should be without lacing hooks, as these can snag and damage suspension lines.

The most important thing about your footwear is that they should have good grip for walking / running / jumping around on grassy hills!

Yes, definitely. Food and/or drink are not included in the price, and will not be provided by us during your training or tandem flight.

We recommend that you bring enough to eat and drink to sustain you through your day! Our advice would be to bring more water than you think you might need, especially during the summer training months.

You should bear in mind that training, and tandem flying, is usually conducted far away from creature comforts like warm cafes with loos.

All types of aviation and outdoor activity are weather dependent, including paragliding. If the weather conditions are not suitable to fly, then unfortunately we simply cannot do so and we will have to cancel that day's flying. Fortunately, there are many days in the year that are suitable to fly, so if you are unlucky with the weather you should re-book and try again (subject to availability in our diary, and your flight/course being within the 12 month validity period).

We will only fly you if we think the weather conditions are suitable to do so, and as safe as possible within reason. However, you should always bear in mind that paragliding is an adventurous activity and, like all forms of aviation, carries with it an inherent risk of possible injury which may be potentially very serious. Our highly experienced tandem pilots will do their utmost to keep you as safe as possible and ensure that we make the most out of the wind and weather conditions which occur on the day. We have been flying paragliders and teaching paragliding for over 14 years now, so you can be sure to have the best chance of getting the best possible flight with us!

The day before you are due to come and fly, you must call us on 01273 812442 between 7:00 pm & 7:30 pm for a 'weather check'. If the weather forecast is looking bad for the next day we will have to cancel the day. In case we are not able to answer the phone when you ring please leave a message on the answer phone and call the mobile phone number if mentioned in the answer phone message, or try again.

If we are unable to fly on the day you have booked, we will have to cancel the day and reschedule for another day (within the validity period of your booking).

There really is no 'best time of year' - we can have good and bad weather for paragliding at all times of the year. It's purely a matter of personal preference!

Of course, in winter it is generally colder, but we often get smoother flying conditions (less thermic activity caused by solar heating) and people find they warm up quickly from walking up hills, running around and all the general excitement! 8-)))

You should always bear in mind that all of our paragliding lessons, paragliding courses, paragliding tuition credit, tandem paraglider flights, and Flybubble Paragliding gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, and must be completed before they reach the end of their 12 month validity period. Once the paragliding lesson, paragliding course, paragliding tuition credit, tandem paraglider flight, or gift voucher you have purchased from us has reached the end of it's validity period, and so passed its expire date, it will have therefore expired and no longer be valid. This applies to all instances, regardless of any reasons given or circumstances, including outside influences such as the weather.

The best time to paraglide is always SOONER, rather than LATER! :-)

NB. Don't forget that paragliding is 100% weather dependent.

British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (BHPA) membership provides 3rd party legal liability insurance cover which is there to protect you. When you start training you take out BHPA Introductory Day, Training or Annual Membership through the school.

For more information see the BHPA Membership section on our website.

What is a BHPA Registered Paragliding School?

BHPA Registered Paragliding Schools are equipped and staffed with instructors who will train you at a rate of progress that is suitable for you. BHPA schools are monitored for safety, the quality of the training they offer and the equipment they use, and their trained instructors are licensed by the Association.

For more information see the BHPA website.

Personal accident insurance, to cover you during your training & beyond, is NOT included in the price of any of our paragliding courses or tandem paraglider flights or British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (BHPA) Membership (see above) but may be available from various insurance companies or brokers.

For your convenience we have listed some of these below which may provide this (although we cannot and do not take any responsibility for the services which they, or any other company, provide):

• Harrison Beaumont Insurance
• Airsports Insurance Bureau

Although we can't recommend any particular local accommodation (we haven't stayed in them as we live here!) we've put together a list of some local Sussex Accommodation options (Camping, YHA, Self Catering and B&B) to help you find somewhere to stay during your paragliding course.

If you find that any of the information we've provided is incorrect or out of date please let us know - thank you.

We have put together some web links to local Sussex Information for you.

If you find that any of the information we've provided is incorrect or out of date please let us know - thank you.

Yes you can. This need not be too much of a problem we have plenty of people who use public transport to get to us (although it is always easier to get to the hill by car).

We are very lucky that our flying sites are some of the most easily accessible in the UK - and possibly the World! This is just one of many the reasons why we are based in Sussex, in the heart of the South Downs hills!

What people usually do is get the train to Brighton, Lewes or Eastbourne (depending on which flying site we are at on the day - which we will confirm when you phone for the weather check the evening before) and then a taxi out to the flying site. Once you have met up with us, we can transport you about from hill to hill if needs be! Just make sure you let us know that you are coming down by train and that you will need a lift if we move sites. We may also be able to drop you off at the nearest train station on the way back to our base.

It takes *approximately* an hour and a half (at least) on the train from London to our area. This is very approximately, depending on which part of London you're travelling from, and how things work out on the day (e.g. if there are any delays etc). You should then allow at least another half an hour to get a taxi from the train station to where we are meeting.

Here are some (hopefully useful) website links to UK train services...

• National Rail Enquiries
• TheTrainLine
• TrainTimes.org.uk
• TransportDirect.info

Please see the Flybubble Paragliding Terms & Conditions section on our website.

Please see the Flybubble Paragliding Terms & Conditions section on our website.

Please see the Flybubble Paragliding Terms & Conditions section on our website.

Please see the Flybubble Paragliding Terms & Conditions section on our website.

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