Intensive Training

Reliable Flying

Affordable Airfare & Hotels

10 Day Intensive Dual Training Course

April 15-26, 2025

Join us for a focused 10-day training trip designed for pilots working toward their BHPA Tandem Pilot Licence. Our base for this course is Borso del Grappa, one of Europe’s most reliable and popular flying areas, located about 150 km north of Venice.

The region offers multiple grassy takeoffs on the southern slopes of Monte Grappa, providing smooth airflow, wide launch areas and quick access for repeated training flights. The large official landing field at Semonzo is perfect for accurate approaches, top-to-bottom rotations, and debriefs between flights — ideal conditions for intensive tandem training. We’ll also visit nearby sites such as Meduno to introduce variety and practise top-landing and different approach techniques.

This immersive course is led by Pete Gallagher and our team of experienced BHPA instructors, with a BHPA examiner present for candidates ready for assessment.

Between training sessions, enjoy the spring sunshine, Italian food, and laid-back Bassano atmosphere. There’s also time for solo flying, making this both a valuable training opportunity and a fantastic flying holiday.

Partners are welcome, making it a perfect mix of learning, flying, and leisure.

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Travel & Itinerary

Travel Dates & Flights:

Luton (UK) to Venice Marco Polo (VW) : April 15 2026

Venice Marco Polo (VCE) to Luton (UK) : 26th April 2026

Transfers: Borso del Grappa is around a 1-hour drive from Venice. We’ll coordinate shared airport transfers based on your flight schedules. The cost will be split between pilots sharing the same vehicle unless you are travelling with the team.

Accommodation

We’ve reserved a selection of chalets and apartments for our group on a twin-sharing basis.

Single rooms are available for an additional supplement.

Double rooms can be arranged if you’re travelling with a partner.

You’re also welcome to book your own accommodation in Borso del Grappa if you prefer to stay elsewhere, in a hotel of your choice.

Fees & Dates

Training Dates : 16th - 25th April 2026
(10 days)
Training Fees : £1600
Includes :
- Flights in P1 and P2 position
- Theory and Instruction
- Mock exam and prep
- Site briefings, daily debriefings
- Mountain transport and retrieves
At an extra cost :
- Accommodation
- Airport Transfers
- Equipment hire
Not included :
- Lunch / Alcohol / Drinks
- Site fees
- Optional activities and excursions
Partners are welcome
at a supplement cost. We can arrange air experience tandem flights for them and other cultural activities for the day.
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What is covered in training ?

Designed to comprehensively cover all the training required for the BHPA Tandem Pilot licence with our experienced dual instructors, this intensive course includes all the theory and practical work you will require to become a safe and skilled tandem pilot. This includes developing your interaction with the passenger prior to and during the flight.

You will have an opportunity to carry out plenty of launches, short flights and landings, exploring a variety of techniques. The course will involve flying as the pilot and as the passenger.

When you have completed sufficient flights and reached the required standard, a mock examination will be conducted by your instructors. This involves an interview, practical flying exercises and a multi-choice written exam. The training will prepare you for an independent examination by the BHPA.

The BHPA dual examination fees are not included and need to be paid separately to BHPA. The standard required by the BHPA is very high and there is no guarantee of a pass.

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Preparation

Pilot introductions and aims

Paperwork check

Equipment discussion and check

Flight Training

Solo flying practice

Groundhandling (dual system)

Pre-flight briefings & rehearsals

Passenger position flights

Pilot position flights

Theory & Exam

Interview discussion and practice

Mock Exam

Confirmatory Q and A session

Paperwork update

BHPA exam application

This course content is structured on the assumption that the solo piloting level is ‘Expert’. Additional training days beyond the scope of this trip may be recommended by the CFI, based on individual aptitude and skill levels. Training order may vary depending on weather conditions.

If you are serious about becoming a tandem pilot, purchasing and practicing with your own gear is a definite advantage. There will be a surcharge of £300 on the trip fees if you need to use our school tandem equipment for training. Pilots will be responsible for paying any damage or repair fees caused to the equipment whilst training.

We will also like to see your solo handling skills, so do bring your personal solo flying kit along.

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The Sky Summits Advantage

This is an intensive tandem training tour, where the weather is more predictable and you can get a repetitive practice
to perfect your technique

We aim to provide the highest standard of training whilst ensuring that risks to your safety are kept as low as reasonably practicable

Our well established training methodology ensures
you get the best practices nailed down

Provided you have the right aptitude, our holistic and intensive training will prepare you and greatly increase your chances for clearing a very tough independent examination by the BHPA, which is in 3 phases :
- an interview
- practical flying exercises
- a multi-choice written exam

BHPA Training Pre-Requisites

Full annual BHPA membership with a Pilot rating and
in current flying practice

You must be a BHPA Pilot rated paraglider hill pilot, have logged at least 200 flying hours in the hill environment, acquired over at least 50 separate flights and have carried out at least 20 solo or tandem flights in the previous 6 months

You will need good communication skills and be able to brief your passengers clearly. The standard of piloting required is 'Expert'

You must have completed and logged a solo advanced glider control course (SIV) in the past

You must hold a valid first aid certificate that shows that you have completed a (minimum) 1 day first aid course.

Meet Your Air Experience Instructors

Our team of highly skilled instructors have hundreds of hours of experience flying solo and tandem, and are all BHPA qualified Air Experience Instructors

Pete Gallagher

Chief Flying Instructor

Pete is a legend and the Chief Flying Instructor at Sky Summits. He is a BHPA senior instructor and has been flying paragliders for 20 years. He had a long career in the Army before settling in to teaching paragliding in all forms. Pete is a keen cross-country pilot, tandem pilot and speed flyer. He is also a massively experienced skydiver and BASE jumper. He has done it all.

Ben Wyatt

Instructor, Tandem Pilot

Ben has been paragliding for 10 years, beginning his flying career on the stunning coastal sites at his home town in the south west of Australia. Since moving to Morocco where he now lives full time, he has started doing tandems, guiding and working as a BHPA instructor. Ben takes great pleasure in helping pilots learn and progress with their skills and knowledge so they can be better and safer pilots.

Tandem Gear

If you are serious about becoming a tandem pilot, purchasing and practicing with your own gear is a definite advantage.

We are dealers for most brands of paragliding equipment, so do feel free to talk to us and get good advice.

Tandem Shop

Bassano Tandem Training