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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.

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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 $1950* including use of all equipment, HGFA Student M/ship, on site transport, self catering cabin share accommodation and a $400 credit voucher for a equipment set (glider, harness & reserve), and special student discount prices (10-15% off RRP) on most of the usual items beginners need – it's great value !

* from 2011

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 in Australia and Internationally. Higher rated/more difficult 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.
  

9 day License Course Inclusions :

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

Extra Training Days : Most courses result in licenses for a large % of the group after 9 days, however weather and slow skills up take can result in the need for extra days. Additional days of group based instruction beyond the 9 days scheduled if needed due to bad weather are included until you attain your license. For those who are slow at picking up the skills due to various physical limitations and are not at a license level after a reasonable amount of extra days there is a charge of $275/day for additional instruction where it is not part of a group (ie 1:1 instruction).

Acommodation : twin, double and quad share cabins (all linen supplied). Facilities include self service kitchens, laundry, free wireless internet, swimming pool. You only need to bring food, drinks and clothing. You can arrive a few days before and leave a few days later at no extra charge.

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 ($60) or Manilla (free) 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 and you have the flying skill and experience, Intermediate, Advanced & Paramotor (PPG) endorsements (check flight and exam) are included in your initial course cost.

Plus a lifetime of advice from Godfrey :-)

HGFA Student M/ship is INCLUDED in your course cost ! All students must have a valid HGFA membership before undertaking any flying training.The HGFA Student Training Membership of $22 (for 14 days of training over a period of 12 months) is included in your course fee ! Once you have passed the course and wish to be licensed, a HGFA Full or Short Term membership must be applied for. The full annual 12 months m/ship is $270 plus a state levy of $22 > $62 depending on the state you reside. For those attending from overseas or who just wish to obtain a license then the Short Term m/ship of $150 is available for 4 months.

Not Included : Food, drinks, clothing, extra training days taken not as part of a group course (ie 1:1 training).

A full "What you need to bring and what to expect" email is sent to you 2wks prior to the course once you have reserved a place.

Course Deposit conditions : The $220 deposit secures your place in the course. Cancellations more than 4 weeks prior are refunded in full. Cancellations <4 weeks prior to the course start date are not refunded (unless the course was full and the place was filled on short notice), they can however be credited towards another course within 12 months.

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2013 License Course Dates (Autumn Courses) :

• 20th - 28th April : FULL - please book into the next courses 
• 11th - 19th May :  Places available 
• 25th May - 2nd June : Places available

2013 License Course Dates (Spring Courses) :

• October : dates to be advised
• October :  dates to be advised

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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 30/06/12 : 9050hrs.
• World Record – Paragliding Solo Open Distance 335kms : Nov 1998 – 2002. (in Guiness Book of World Records, also Aus Record 1998 - 2012 !!!)
  
• 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