The British Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association, (BHPA) whose president is Ann Welch, is organised on a similar basis to the BGA and works with them on many issues. There are two BHPA affiliated clubs based in the Peak District, both of which are combined hang-glider (HG) and paraglider (PG) clubs. The Derbyshire Soaring Club (DSC) is based in the Mam Tor / Eastern Edges area and the Peak Soaring Association in the Leek / Buxton area. Unlike sailplane flying, HG and PG basic training is normally done in commercial schools, also affiliated to the BHPA, of which there are several in the Peak District.

After graduating from the school with a BHPA 'Club Pilot' rating the new pilot will normally join a club in the area he wants to fly and continue to develop his flying with BHPA organised coaching. The clubs are run by an elected committee in a similar way to BGA clubs, with one big difference. Individual pilots are autonomous members of the BHPA and the Clubs cannot 'control' them, only offer assistance and influence them by peer pressure. The principle of individual autonomy and freedom from outside regulation runs very deep in the HG and PG world, in fact the French name for the sport is 'Vol Libre' or 'Free Flight'. That is one reason why sailplane pilots might see HG and PG pilots as undisciplined, disorganised and maybe even a bit cavalier. In fact it is not like that at all. There is a very strong safety culture within the BHPA and its affiliated schools and clubs. Discipline is still there, but self enforced rather than imposed from outside. Yes, it is a different approach to the BGA but it does work, as the accident statistics show.

Only one HG and PG hill site is owned by a club in Britain and flying is done by negotiation between clubs and landowners. This is not without its

difficulties and considerable work is done by club site officers to maintain access for flying. Although the number of sites may seem large, each site will only suit a limited range of wind direction and crowding is increasingly a problem.

Winching is becoming more popular with launches up to about 2000 feet possible from a small site by 'step towing', and is less dependant on wind direction. A commercial operation is run by a Peak District school from the airfield at Ashbourne.

Bradwell Edge has been a problem. At the time of the public enquiry it was one of the most important sites in Britain and its loss was a big blow to HG and PG nationally as well as locally. The result of the public enquiry was unfortunate for all concerned in that it made it impossible for any club to continue taking responsibility for the site. Furthermore, some HG and PG pilots believe that much of the opposition came from within the D&LGC. Sad but true, there are still a few who have little sympathy for problems that uncontrolled flying may cause at Camphill.

There is, however, some light on the horizon. Concern over safety issues has already resulted in increased contact between the D&LGC and the DSC. Several Camphill members are also HG and/or PG pilots and recently we hosted a meteorological talk which was organised by the DSC and the Peak clubs. Perhaps we could organise more joint events and build further bridges between our organisations. The most effective way to promote safety is through communication. Are you ready to give it a try?

My thanks to John Klunder, who flies HGs, PGs and recently went solo on sailplanes at Camphill, for his invaluable contribution to this article.

Nigel Page