The Club has agreements with its neighbours to fly their sites as well, particularly on the isle of Wight, and further west into Dorset and South Wiltshire. However, the sport has moved on significantly since its birth in the 1970' s, when untrained pilots flew relatively untested wings, often ones they had built themselves from bamboo and tarpaulin. By comparison, today's aircraft are built to an extremely high safety specification, laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority, and all are rigorously stress tested well beyond their normal flying loads, ensuring that the aircraft are airworthy, and safe to fly. No, not a licence, but a certificate of competence called the Club Pilot Certificate. It is issued on successful completion of flying training at a BHPA recognized school, and enables you to join a club, such as the Sky Surfers and fly their sites.
Most pilots try and fly every weekend - weather permitting.
The Club does not possess a Clubhouse or central meeting place. In fact, it has no assets other than permission to fly from local hills. Though technically possible, this is impractical locally because of the small hills we fly from. To learn, the typical daily rate charged by schools is 60- 70 per day, or around 500 for the full qualification. Once qualified, you will need to buy your own aircraft, secondhand is usually best to start with The school and your club can help advise you on suitable equipment.