The School

South Downs Hang Gliding

We really are the only school in the South East to offer training to fly hang gliders. All the other schools based here teach paragliding. They may advertise "hang gliding" but will offer you a paragliding course! If you want to fly hang gliders then learn at a hang gliding school.

In September 2003 changes at the national level led to schools rethinking their training philosophy. Large successful schools like Sussex Hang Gliding and Paragliding decided to separate the two disciplines, so now we are "Sussex Paragliding" and "South Downs Hang Gliding". Everything else is just the same. We still meet at the shop on the A27 (Tollgate, Beddingham) near Lewes and have access to the same superb training sites on the South Downs.

John Barratt  (Chief Flying Instrutor)

John first flew hang gliders on the South Downs in 1977 and three years later was teaching the sport with the "Southern Hang Gliding School" run by ex-British HG champion Graham Slater. In 1995 John joined the team at Sussex HGPG, which became the most successful school in the UK. John has always based himself in Sussex and has an extensive knowledge of the local Southern Club flying sites. He is also an experienced and respected guide to hang gliding in Southern Spain where he continues to offer training during the Autumn and early Spring each year. His away trips, using local hotels at the flying site on the day, are a fantastic mystery tour depending entirely on the weather!
Over the years John has flown hundreds of makes and models of hang glider and flown at many exotic sites around the world. His friendly and relaxed manner gives students the confidence to master the various exercises involved in learning to fly these amazing aircraft.

Ozzie Haines  (Instructor, Senior Aerotow Coach)

Ozzie has been flying hang gliders for some 12 years. In his first two years he took part in both national and international competitions winning some tasks in very difficult flying conditions. His early bravado nearly ended in disaster on Ben Nevis while attempting to complete a flying version of the "three peaks challenge". The ensuing rescue featured on the BBC's "999" program! Oz has competed 3 times in the Bognor Birdman event, twice on homebuilt machines. As his flying became more "sensible" he became a Southern Club Coach and a founder member of the Aerotow group.
His incredible enthusiasm for the sport and his helpful and friendly manner has helped many low airtime pilots develop their skills over the last few years. Ozzie is also famous for building a "Carbon Dragon" from plans. The Dragon is an ultralight sailplane classified as a hang glider. It took him 5 years to build in his spare time. (See Photo) A BHPA development pilot's licence allows him to fly this unique aircraft within the BHPA rules thus making him one of the few "test" pilots on hang gliders in the UK. His wealth of experience and unbounded good humour are a great contribution to South Downs Hang Gliding.

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South Downs Hang Gliding

Gibraltar Farm, Firle, East Sussex. BN8 6NB

Tel. 07890 362648

E-mail: info@southdownshanggliding.co.uk