Choosing a school
Choosing a paramotor training school
A polished Instagram feed tells you what someone's camera is like.
It does not tell you what their instruction is like.
The person teaching you matters. Take your time choosing them.
Qualifications
Ask who they train under and what qualifications they hold.
If they mention an organisation, look it up.
In the UK, BHPA registered schools are monitored and their instructors are licensed by the Association.
Other recognised training systems exist too.
You are looking for a clear answer, not:
"I've been doing this for years, mate."
Experience matters.
So does structure.
Safety culture
Listen to how they talk about bad weather.
Ask what makes them cancel a day.
Ask how they handle a student who is struggling.
A good instructor should be perfectly comfortable keeping everyone on the ground.
A school that constantly talks about epic flights but never about cancelled ones is only showing you half of aviation.
How many students?
Ask.
A course with four students and one instructor will feel different from a busy field with a much bigger group.
That does not automatically make one good and the other bad.
You just deserve to know what you are buying.
What happens if the weather is rubbish?
This matters enormously in the UK.
Ask:
- What happens to cancelled days?
- How long do I have to complete the course?
- Are additional days included?
- What happens if I need more training than average?
Get the answer before handing over the money.
What equipment do they use?
You will probably be learning on their kit.
Ask what wings and motors they use, how the equipment is maintained and whether reserves are fitted.
You do not need to inspect their workshop with a clipboard.
You do want the impression that equipment care is taken seriously.
What happens afterwards?
This might be the most underrated question.
Once the course ends:
- Can you come back for coaching?
- Do they organise flying days?
- Is there a local pilot group?
- Will they help you choose your first setup?
- Is there someone to call when you have a boring new-pilot question?
A good flying community is worth a lot.
Questions worth asking
- Who will actually teach me?
- How many students are usually training at once?
- What happens when weather cancels a day?
- How long do most students realistically take?
- What happens if I need extra training?
- Can I speak to someone who trained with you recently?
- What support do I get once the course is finished?
You are not interviewing them for MI6.
You are just choosing the person who may eventually tell you that you are ready to leave the ground.
It is worth asking a few questions.