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    Godfrey's Manilla Paragliding School 

Based at internationally famous Mt Borah, Manilla Paragliding offers 9 day live-in license course's which are acknowledged as being amongst the best offered anywhere.

We DON'T "sell" licenses - we "teach" you to fly (like an eagle !)

IMPORTANT NOTICE : BEWARE !!!! There are unscrupulous people advertising schools and license courses/lessons on the internet who are not qualified nor registered/licensed to do so. A number of people have been stung already. It all looks legitimate on their web site but it isn't - it is simply illegal ! They also have no 3rd Party insurance and thus nor do you. Without insurance an accident could cost you your livelihood and entire lifes savings. Always check a persons qualifications with the HGFA Head Office by phoning 03 9336 7155. The operator of a school MUST have a Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) qualification in order to have insurance and conduct license courses and sign off ratings. A simple Apprentice Flight Instructor (AFI) or basic Flight Instructor (FI) rating is not sufficient to operate a school. Tandem Operators must also have a Flight Experience Instructor (FEI) rating and can only operate at flying sites approved for the school they are working for (you can also check this by asking your tandem pilot which CFI they work under ..then check with the HGFA office what sites are approved for that schools Tandem operations).

 

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Full 9 day license courses are $1720* including use of all equipment, on site transport, accommodation and a $400 spending voucher for a equipment set (glider, harness & reserve) – it's great value !

* from 2011 courses will be $1950 - our first price rise in over 10 years !

The school is operated by HGFA Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) and Instructor Examiner Godfrey Wenness - see CV at bottom of this page; plus other highly experienced assistant instructors.

 

Overview of courses :

• Introduction to the Sport : The HGFA, license legals, course overview etc.
• Equipment explained : all aspects of the glider and harness are explained in a detailed session.
• Ground handling : Forward and reverse launch in nil, light and moderate and cross winds
• Low slope flights : To get proficient at take off and landings, and build confidence prior to high flights.
• Tandem flights : To get used to being up high and to teach ridge soaring, thermalling, and landing approaches.
• First High flights : Glides down from the top of Mt Borah (called "sleddies") - over 5 minutes and 1000 feet (300m) high.
• Landing approaches : Figure "8" beats and Aircraft style
• Ridge Soaring : At Mt Borah with its 4 soarable sides each presenting a unique situation.
• Thermalling : Controlling the glider in thermic air and using thermal columns to gain height. Using a variometer/altimter.
  
• Big Ears : An important decent manoeuvre
• Rear Riser Steering : An emergency manoeuvre in the event of brake line knots or breakages.
• Theory lessons : approx 20hrs classroom style, workbook and study notes.
• Theory exams : including post exam debrief
• Included Extras - additional important skills (that most other schools don't do)  :  top landings,  asymetric and full frontal collapse simulations and recovery, basic cross country (XC) tuition.
• After passing the course you attain a HGFA "Restricted License" which allows you to fly solo at any novice rated site anywhere. Higher rated sites need supervision for your own safety. This license level you attain in 9 days in our Manilla course is higher than the UK "Club Pilot" rating in terms of skills attained. It is superior to the second license stage in most countries (like NZ, Germany etc), and the course inclusions result in new pilots with a higher skill level in a more wide range of areas.
  

Course Inclusions :

Equipment : all flying equipment (glider, harness, helmet) is included.

Accomodation : twin, double and quad share cabins (all linen supplied). Facilities include self service kitchens, free internet (inc wireless). 

Credit Voucher : a $400 credit voucher towards the purchase of a set (glider, harness, reserve) of equipment. This is a discount that comes off the total invoice $'s amount. There are also standard student prices discounted around 10% from RRP on main items as well :-)

Transport : on site at Mt Borah. Tamworth or Manilla pick ups by arrangement for those arriving by air, bus or train.

Free refresher day : if you haven't flown for a while and feel rusty, supervised refreshers are offered.

Free license upgrades : When the time comes, Intermediate, Advanced & Paramotor endorsements are included in your initial course cost - includes check flight's, exams etc.

Plus a lifetime of advice from Godfrey :-)

2010 License Course Dates (Autumn Courses) :

• 10th April - 18th April : FULL - COMPLETED :-)
• 8th May - 16th May : FULL - COMPLETED :-)
  
• 22nd May - 30th May : FULL - COMPLETED :-)
  

2010 License Course Dates (Spring Courses) :

• 9th - 17th October : FULL :-(
• 23rd - 31st October : FULL :-(
• 6th - 14th November : EXTRA SPRING COURSE - Please contact Godfrey for details - minimum #'s are needed.
  

Most of our students arrive via referrals from former students and other pilots - contact us below and we will put you in touch with some for their personal opinion...or ask someone at flying site near you !

Contact : Godfrey Wenness

email : click here

Phone (in Australia) : 02 67 85 65 45

Phone (from Overseas) : 61 2 67 85 65 45

Address : "The Mountain", Manilla, NSW, 2346, Australia

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     Godfrey Wenness - CFI - Manilla Paragliding

• Commenced regular paragliding in Europe in 1988 (Austria Basic PG ‘A’ license).
• Australian HGFA Paragliding “Restricted” license in 1992.
• Completed Australian Sports Commission “Advanced Coaches Manual” Study course 1995.
• Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA) certified Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) 1995.
• Owner, Operator and CFI of Manilla Paragliding School (Manilla, NSW) 1995 – (this includes airworthiness check, maintenance and repair of paragliders and equipment).
• Australian Importer for multiple sports aviation equipment brands.
• Total Logged flying hours as at 01/07/09 : 8300hrs . Please note for reference and comparison that Senior Commercial Airline Training Captains (the highest position in that field) have approx 5000hrs flying experience.
• World Record – Paragliding Solo Open Distance 335kms : Nov 1998 – 2002. (in Guiness Book of World Records)
• Worlds Longest Tandem Flight Record – Paragliding Tandem Open Distance 223kms : Jan 2000 – 2003.
• Australian Sports Medal (ASM) 2000.
• Multiple National Records 1997-
• Australian National Cross Country League Champion 2001 (Inaugural) and 2002.
• HGFA Safety and Operations Committee Member (Paragliding) : 1998 –
• HGFA Instructor Examiner 1999 –
• HGFA Disciplinary Tribunal Member 1998 –
• HGFA Accident Investigator  1997 –
• Author of Draft new HGFA pilot rating and training system and syllabus (Paragliding).
• Competition Organiser & Director
  • Australian Paragliding Open (National C/ships) – bi-annual : 1997 – 2005
    
  • Manilla International Paragliding Open – bi-annual : 1995 –2004
  • Paragliding World Championships  – Manilla 2007
  • XC Open World Series - 2005 -
• Australian National Team Member : 1997 – 2005
• Prototype Test Pilot for Advance Paragliders of Switzerland : 1995 –
• Discussion Group Member for Common European Norms (CEN) for Paraglider Certification 2000 –