How is paragliding different from Hang Gliding?
Paragliding is very similar to hang gliding, in fact they are essentially the same activity done with slightly different equipment. Hang gliders have a more rigid frame than paragliders The advantage of paragliders is that they can be packed into a rucksack and carried more easily. They are also much easier to land, which gives them a big advantage.
Is Paragliding Safe? Paragliding, like any other adventure sport, has its associated risks and dangers. To operate safely in any kind of aviation environment one must strive at all times to minimise those risks. The most important pre-requisites to learning to fly safely are: pilot attitude, competent instruction, and safe equipment. If these conditions are met the slow speeds and inherent stability of paragliders can provide a reasonably safe and easy way to fly, however there is no completely safe form of aviation and the pilot must assume full responsibility for his actions.

Is it hard to learn?
No! Our school uses the latest techniques to teach you how to fly as safely as possible, following systems which have been developed over many years, and are the approved method of the sports national association; the BHPA. All our instructors are qualified by the BHPA, and are experienced and enthusiastic pilots themselves. Your first lessons will have some basic theory and demonstrations, and then with the help of your instructor it's your turn! Now the fun really begins. We won't start by taking you to a hill and throwing you off, but begin with some ground control. Then gradually progressing to short flights on gentle grassy slopes, moving on to the next stage only when you are ready.

What equipment do you need?
The school will provide the paraglider wing, harness and helmet. All you need to bring is warm outdoor clothes, gloves, strong grippy Boots (No hooks), packed lunch, drinks and a good sense of fun and humour! We would encourage you to buy your own equipment when you are sure the sport is for you. It is often better to train on your own equipment. Please ask our advice before you buy. There is so much to know to buying the right equipment. Most people who buy without the advice of an experienced instructor, buy the wrong thing.. Often a very costly mistake!

Why choose Axis...
Getting to CP level should take about 8-10 days of tuition. ( this is usually not taken in a block, unless you have links with the weather gods:-)

We will teach you One to One, or in small groups of the same standard!

A program of courses abroad to get you off to the best start, even in the winter.

We use Tandem paragliding Tuition. - Quite often the conditions may be too strong to teach you solo, so we can
get you to fly many of the tasks on our tandem with the Instructor. You may be surprised to learn that this is very unusual in other UK schools, mainly because of large group sizes mean people standing around for hours, or no Tandem qualified instructor is available.

Flexible payment system. Only pay for the days you do! pay per day. UK courses can be transferred to overseas, and vice versa. You will not pay for bad weather days, if cancelled you just rebook. If weather dictates we can only do a part day, or half a day you will only be charged for that.

Should you buy equipment from us to use before the end of your course, you will only pay £100 per day for training with new equipment,and £125 per day secondhand equipment.

We are probably situated in the best flying area in the UK, with more slopes to train on, (several private sites) taking more wind directions. Sites up to 2400 feet amsl. More easily soarable sites- makes passing those tricky CP tasks much easier!

Price! We charge £150 per day. A big part of what we do is getting you the right equipment, and to reward our customers for their loyalty we refund £50 per training day from course fees against a new equipment package*, or £25 per day against a secondhand equipment package. This refund is also valid with our new equipment discounts, which give you probably the best deal on the market for training and equipment packages. Many of our students get through EP in 3-4 days, and 4-5 days for CP. To ensure you are getting good value for money from us we will cap the price if each course (EP + CP) to £600 per course .

* Equipment packages consist of Glider Harness helmet and reserve parachute - Refund vouchers not included on day 1/introductory day.

Example a new glider Ozone Mojo 3, Ozone Oxygen2 harness and Independence Evo 20 reserve & Plusmax helmet List price = £3317

Our students discount price = £2880 less 7 days course refund = £ 2530 An amazing deal saving £787 off the price of course and full top of the range Kit.

Other lower cost packages are available, and second hand or ex demo deals.