Paragliding is the ultimate easy footlaunch aviation! Imagine arriving at a beautiful hillside, unfolding a lightweight flying machine and after a few minutes checking the weather and your gear you're ready ... run forward to inflate your glider and launch off into space - no hassle, no noise, no distractions - you and the elements. This is paragliding!

Paragliding consists of a lightweight cloth wing, beneath which the pilot is suspended in a seated harness, giving a natural and reassuring flying position - it is a self-contained flying machine able to stay aloft for hours in the right conditions. During paragliding, you can soar on hills, ridges and thermals in the same way as the birds. The paragliding equipment weighs around 10kg, and packs into a rucksack which makes transportation and storage simple. The canopy is flown using 2 handles which control both your direction and speed. This is physically quite easy, although mental awareness and spatial ability is still vital. A paraglider will fly in a straight line with no pilot input, and lands very gently.

Paragliding training takes most people 5 days or so to the basic qualified level (Elementary Pilot), however day paragliding experiences are available to give you a taster. The paragliding experience is first conducted on a gentle slope. Your instructor will explain how the canopy is laid out, inflated and controlled; you'll then experience your first hands-on canopy handling and short training hops. When you've become adept at canopy handling, controlling airspeed and making gentle turns, you'll go to a higher hill for longer flights.

The slow flight characteristics and ease of handling mean that soaring and even cross-country flights can be quickly and easily achieved with further practice and training should you wish to take up paragliding. Although it is an adrenalin sport with an incredible thrill factor, modern training methods and thoroughly tested equipment together mean that the sport is accessible to anyone with a desire to learn paragliding safely.

With 19 years experience of training near Brighton, Apex Paragliding School offers a range of paragliding launch sites on the picturesque South Downs, around an hour's drive from London. The terrain of the South Downs offers a friendly outdoor environment in which to be introduced to the world of paragliding.

Paragliding training in the UK is controlled by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. The Team at APEX are all registered BHPA Senior Instructors with many years of teaching experience, training to UK standards with the utmost professionalism. The Chief Flying Instructor of Apex, Gary Cook, has worked on a number of BHPA Training, Safety & Examining Committees.

In addition to teaching, Apex Paragliding can advise and supply all the paragliding equipment you will need to become a safe, qualified paraglider pilot. Apex Paragliding also stock a range of books and videos/DVDs.

The View Brighton paragliding tandem voucher is open dated, valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however you must book a date within 6 months from date of purchase to activate your paragliding experience voucher.