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. (See Photo)
It took him 5 years to build in his spare time. 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.
Matt Lewis (Trainee Instructor)
Matt learned to fly hang gliders in Australia and worked with
a tandem hang gliding school in Byron Bay. He achieved the top Aussie
rating of "Hang 5" - equivalent to the UK rating of "Advanced
Pilot".
On his return Matt joined South Downs Hang Gliding at the
start of 2009 to
qualify as a BHPA rated Instructor.
He is keen to promote tandem flights and dual flight training within
the school. His enthusiasm for the sport and flying skills have been
greatly appreciated by this year's crop of new students.
South Downs Hang Gliding
Gibraltar
Farm, Firle, East Sussex. BN8 6NB
Tel. 07890 362648
E-mail: info@southdownshanggliding.co.uk