Mahony Aviation Homepage
Who We Are
About us
Testimonials
Paragliding
Paramotoring
Paramotor Hire
Paratriking
Tandem Flights
Overseas Para-guiding
Booking Form
Local Sites
Accommodation
Contact / Enquiries
Gallery
Links
About Paragliding | Learn to Paraglide | Equipment | Paragliding Prices

How Much Does It Cost?

1-Day Introductory Course - £175 (including £10 BHPA Membership)

The 1-Day Introductory Course forms the first day of the Elementary Pilot Certificate (EPC) course.  It is possible to upgrade to either the 2-Day Introductory Course or the full EPC course by simply paying a top-up fee.

A 1-Day Introductory Course is a great experience and is universally enjoyed even if
you decide not to continue with a paragliding career!  Given the almost guaranteed reasonable conditions we have in Provence, you will accomplish solo flights up to around 50 feet (15 metres) above the ground - all under the safe control of your Instructors.

The course fee includes all equipment hire, one-day mandatory BHPA membership and tuition fees. We usually stop for a leisurely lunch and there are frequent tea & coffee breaks!

If you want to buy a 1-Day Introductory Course as a gift voucher please contact us so that we can personalise the voucher for you.

Within a short space of time on Day-1, you will be learning the basics of pre-flight checking, learning how to ground handle the wing and getting connected to the glider. We then move on to simulated launches and landings before venturing onto the training slopes where you will defy gravity for the first time and fly!

2-Day Introductory Course - £275 (including BHPA Membership)

The 2-Day Introductory Course will take you further into the Elementary Pilot Certificate Course (EPC) and gives you a chance to really experience the sport of paragliding.  It includes all of the 1-Day Introductory Course content plus basic theory, pre-flight checks, site evaluation, ground handling and perfecting take-off and landing techniques.

On Day-2, we build on the basics learnt on Day-1 and take you slightly higher up the training slopes to give you more airtime.  By the end of the Day-2 you will have achieved a number of flights - all under the direct supervision of your Instructor.

At Mahony Aviation we like to keep the student to Instructor ratio low to ensure a rapid, but above all, safe progression.  At all times you will have either visual and / or radio contact with the Instructor.

Even if you decide not to continue your training, we are sure you will go home feeling that you have really achieved something quite unique and the memory of flying one of these remarkable aircraft will remain with you for a long time to come.  If you do decide to continue training with us, the 2-Day Introductory Course will have given you a taste of what is to come.

What is achieved on this 2-Day Introductory Course is obviously dependent on the conditions, your level of
fitness and rate of progress.


At Mahony Aviation we will teach you to fly in a relaxed, fun, safe and beautiful environment!  Our Instructors teach to the British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association's (BHPA's) Paragliding syllabus which consists of a series of tasks, both practical and theoretical on subjects such as Meteorology, Air Law and the Principles of Flight. 

Our aim is to teach you the basic skills of flying a paraglider, how to steer it and turn it through 180°.  You will be taught a different launch technique enabling you to launch in stronger winds and how to formulate simple flight plans so that you can make a controlled landing in a designated place.

All students are issued with their own Student Training Log Book which is kept by the school and is completed by both the Instructor and student at each stage of the training syllabus to ensure that students understand
their briefing.  Students will only progress when they are completely satisfied with their understanding of the
task, the demonstration given and their capability to undertake the task.


Students will be taught to complete all the tasks in the EPC syllabus culminating in the award of the BHPA Elementary Pilot Certificate (EPC) which simply passes you as "“fit for further training" and qualifies you to enrol on the BHPA Club Pilot (Novice) Course.

Typically, the BHPA EPC course takes about 4 - 5 days to complete if the weather is favourable.

 

The BHPA Club Pilot (Novice) Certificate (CPC) (Hill) - £795*


Please note:

You must have completed an EPC Course (Hill or Tow) with us or another BHPA registered school before you can enrol on a CPC Course.

If you wish to enrol for an EPC & CPC Course with us, the cost is only £1,245*

*If you would like to use our school equipment for your BHPA CPC course, we charge an additional £25 per day for equipment hire.  Please see the price list below for “Mahony Aviation’s

Paragliding Best Deal Scheme” where HUNDREDS of pounds can be saved!!

Following seamlessly on from the EPC, students will continue their theoretical and practical instruction whilst working towards their Club Pilot (Novice) Certificate (CPC).  Naturally, the syllabus is more advanced and teaches you more skills and how to become more self-reliant as a pilot.  However, there is nothing too difficult about it. 

By the end of the CPC course, your Instructors will have given you enough knowledge and skill for you to confidently leave the school and fly your own paraglider unsupervised, safely & competently both solo and in the company of other pilots.

It would be safe to say that when you have achieved your CPC, the learning really starts – similarly to when you first passed your driving test!  Pilots are strongly advised to join their local BHPA Club and enlist the advice of the Club Coaches as well as BHPA Instructors to further develop their flying skills!

If you have committed to starting a CPC course, then this normally means that you have made the decision to take up the exciting sport of Paragliding.  Therefore, it makes sense that you should be using your own equipment to do this.  A new paraglider costs about £2,300 - £3,100; a harness costs from £395 - £595 and emergency parachutes vary in price from £395 - £595.  However, before buying some ‘bargain’ off eBay or the like, please speak to us to see if you are really getting a fantastic bargain or a pig-in-a-poke! 

Buying your own new equipment has several advantages:


  • You will be using the same wing each time you fly which you will be getting to know intimately.

  • Your harness will always be correctly adjusted for you.

  • By the time you qualify, both you and your Instructors will be satisfied that your equipment is right for you and is correctly set up and adjusted.

  • Your equipment is new and you know its complete flying history. 

  • Only you will have flown it.


  • Typically, the BHPA CPC course takes about 5 - 7 days if the weather is good. 

    Summary of Paragliding Training Prices - 2011-2012

    1-Day Introductory Course (including BHPA insurance) £175 
    2-Day Introductory Course (including BHPA insurance) £275
    Upgrade from 1-Day Introductory Course to the Full EPC Course £375
    Upgrade from 2-Day Introductory Course to the Full EPC Course £275
    Elementary Pilot Certificate (EPC) Course (1) £495
    Club Pilot (Novice) Certificate (CPC) Course (1) £795
    Complete Course (EPC & CPC) (1) £1,245*
    Hill Conversion Course for experienced Tow Pilots (2) £275

        
    * After EPC level, a pilot wishing to continue training will be quite serious about the sport and will therefore require his own personal flying equipment.  If you would like to use our school equipment for your BHPA CPC course, we charge an additional £25 per day for equipment hire.  However, please see below for “Mahony Aviation’s Paragliding Best Deal Scheme” where HUNDREDS of pounds can be saved!!

    • When you begin your training, you pay us £2,995 and we automatically credit you with £2,000 to spend with us towards your new Paraglider, Harness, Emergency Parachute and other associated flying equipment.

      We will then teach you up to CPC level (Normal Price: £1,295).  You save £300!!!



    (1) Membership of the BHPA is mandatory as this provides 3rd Party Legal Liability Insurance and can be obtained at the start of your flying.  Inclusive with BHPA Annual Membership is a monthly subscription to SkyWings magazine.

    (2) Experienced Pilots undertaking the Hill Conversion Courses must bring their log book (if possible) and have proof of their BHPA CPC rating on a current BHPA Membership Card.

    NB: All potential students should be aware that Paragliding, as with most adventure sports, is potentially hazardous and in that knowledge, they should accept the risk that personal injuries or damage could be suffered. The BHPA insurance DOES NOT include Personal Accident cover. Personal Accident cover is available from the Airsports Insurance Bureau.

    Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
    Please see the Booking Form for all our Paragliding courses

    Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

    Please see the Booking Form for all our Paragliding courses