Here are answers to some FAQs regarding our Flying Start courses in Southern Spain...

FAQs regarding our Flying Start Courses in Southern Spain

Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions regarding our Flying Start courses in Southern Spain...

How do I sign up to your Flying Start courses in Spain?

First you need to contact Flybubble in the UK to book your place by paying the deposit or full amount. Once the minimum numbers of students have booked then we will let you know, then airline flights will need to be booked. We will confirm which flights the main group will be taking and you will then need to book your flights to fit in with the rest of the group (ideally the same flights).

Where will the course be based?

For this paragliding course you will be based in an area that is world-renowned for being the paragliding "Mecca" of southern Spain, and flying at some of the best flying sites in the world! There are launch sites and flying conditions to please all levels of pilots here, from absolute beginners to ambitious cross country pilots. Enjoy your introduction to paragliding during the day and enjoy a cold beer (or glass of Rioja) with accompanying Tapas during the evenings!

Southern Spain has many beautiful towns and villages, some of which date back to the sixteenth century. You can enjoy cultural heritage and monuments whilst enjoying picturesque views of olive groves and fields of the famous Seville orange trees. Some of the world’s finest hams are produced in the province Andalucia, and the best provincial red wines are produced in the area around the historic town of Ronda, just down the road from us - hic! :o)

Who will do the training in Spain and what paragliding rating can I get?

Paragliding students on these Flying Start courses in Spain will be trained by English speaking Spanish instructors following the BHPA syllabus - in fact they will be taught to a higher standard than this, the Flybubble benchmark!

This means that when the student successfully completes all of their training in Spain, and achieves the required standard, they will then be able to get their FAI Para Pro Stage 3 rating (IPPI card) and/or BHPA Club Pilot rating through Flybubble without having to do any more training in the UK, unless of course they want to - which we find many do!

How many students will there be on the course?

Group size: 3 to 7 students for 1 to 3 instructors. To keep the standard of instruction high for each individual on the course, we limit the number of students to a maximum of 7. The emphasis will always be on giving the highest quality of instruction possible to students, so that they receive the maximum benefit from their training.

A minimum of 3 students is required for a course to be able to go ahead. If the course does not go ahead because of insufficient numbers then you will be given the choice to either receive a full refund or book your place on another course.

What happens when I complete my paragliding training in Spain?

Once you have successfully completed all of your paragliding training during your Flying Start course in Spain you will then have two routes to get your BHPA Paragliding Club Pilot rating through Flybubble:

• Option 1: One option is to pay the admin fee required to get your FAI Para Pro Stage 3 rating (IPPI card) and sit and pass the BHPA Club Pilot theory exam in Spain. You will then need to send all of the necessary paperwork to Flybubble in the UK who will then check all your training records and paperwork and, assuming everything is in order, convert your FAI Para Pro Stage 3 rating to a BHPA Club Pilot rating.

• Option 2: The other option is to come to Flybubble in the UK with all of the necessary paperwork and pay for an assessment day. Students who have signed up to our 'Flying Start' program will receive a very special half-price day rate for this. You will need to demonstrate the required standard for Club Pilot, and to sit and pass the BHPA Club Pilot theory exam, and then Flybubble will award you your BHPA Club Pilot rating.

What if I don't complete all of the training during my Flying Start course in Spain?

If you don't complete all of your training during your Flying Start course in Spain then you can either continue your training with Flybubble in the UK and/or do another Flying Start course with our Spanish partner school in Spain another time. The training you have already done during your Flying Start course will count towards your continued training through us.

Do I need to take out travel and medical insurance?

Yes you do. All paragliding students must have adequate medical repatriation insurance that specifically covers them for paragliding for at least the full duration of the course. Please be aware that 'normal' travel insurance often excludes adventurous activities such as paragliding. Insurance that covers paragliding is very specific to paragliding. We can supply you with details of companies that may offer insurance which specifically covers paragliding but it is up to you to ensure that the insurance you pay for specifically covers paragliding and you are adequately covered for the duration of the course.

What study materials do you recommend before the course?

To help you get the most out of your paragliding training we highly recommend you do some studying up before you go on your course. So that you focus your efforts on the right things, rather than wasting your valuable time on the wrong things (e.g. YouTube videos, internet forums, amateur advice), we've put together the Paragliding Essential Starter Pack which contains some of the best learning aids around. We've made this available at a special pack price that will save you money compared to ordering each item in the pack individually. We think it's a false economy for pilots not to buy it!

Where and when do Flybubble run paragliding courses run in the UK?

Flybubble operate in the south of England, all year round: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

When do the Flying Start courses run in Spain?

The paragliding school we cooperate with in Spain run their training courses from September to May. It's generally extremely hot in the area from June to August, causing the flying conditions to often be very turbulent for most of the day, which is undesirable for safe training. The best time to go to Spain is during the UK winter!