SunSoar Paragliding Ltd Safety Policy

Our aim is to provide paragliding tuition to the highest standards
and to make the training environment as safe as possible.
In order to achieve these aims we have critically assessed each facet of the training system, and introduced every practical safeguard to minimise risk to any pupil, instructor, or bystander.

SITES

The flying sites are carefully chosen for their surfaces, clear outlook, and lack of obstacles. Where any hazards exist (walls for example) the pupils must have shown themselves to be capable of sufficient control to be able to easily avoid them, and any hazards on any of our sites shall be included in the daily site briefings given by instructors.

Each flying site has had a through risk assessment conducted, and recommendations for safe use are included in this policy.
A set of "recommendations for safe use" for each flying site is supplied to each instructor.

WEATHER

The weather is beyond our control, but we can choose whether to fly or not. The duty instructor will make a judgement call as to whether to ask the pupils to attend on a daily basis, he will use all available forecasting data to do this, including Airmet and the Wendy weather station system.
If the weather proves unfavourable, the duty instructor may decide not to call out pupils for flying on any day.

If the weather proves unsuitable for flying when pupils have arrived at the centre. The day may be cancelled at that point, though training in the theory modules of the PRS will normally be offered in these circumstances.
Each and every instructor is empowered to cease training at any time if they feel the conditions have deteriorated to the point where there is an unacceptable risk to their students.
Such a judgement will always be supported by the CFI and management.

Wind readings over a 1 minute period must be taken on every training day and recorded at least twice per day, and more often if conditions are varying, or if the launch site is changed.

EQUIPMENT

The training gliders used are all DHV 1, 1 /2 or AFNOR Standard rated. Each one is checked annually by Aerofix, and daily by the duty instructor.
The pupils will be asked their weight (and weighed if necessary) to ensure that they are flying within the certified weight range of the wing they are allocated. NB Pupils with their own gear must still conform to these requirements, even if it means they cannot fly their own kit.
Every pupil will wear a properly fitting helmet at all times that they are connected to a paraglider.

Sunsoar training harnesses are fitted with DHV certified back protection devices (Except on the Dune De Pyla). Pupils with their own equipment may use harnesses without these devices but it must be pointed out to them that are recommended.

Pupils on Student pilot courses will be under constant supervision and
There will be a communication system in use at all times (either radio or signal bats).
Pilots on Club pilot courses will normally be equipped with radios that can be used for supervision if required.
( This may be waived for certain tasks or repetitions of successfully completed tasks).

A windspeed indicator and at least one windsock will be present on the hill at all times.

A first aid kit will be present on the hill at all times and will contain data on site locations for use if the emergency services are required.

STUDENTS

Pupil pre-selection is only possible to a limited degree through the use of clear explanatory information in our literature and in a medical/health questionnaire that is completed by each pupil.
If any pupil is (in the opinion of the instructor) unfit or ill-prepared in any way to carry on training, (including attitude or confidence issues) the instructor must refer this to the CFI or a senior duty instructor before any further training can take place.
Any pupil suspected of consuming alcohol or other drugs that could affect their ability to function at peak efficiency will be stopped from flying.

METHOD

All instructors will follow the sequence and requirements laid out in the BHPA pilot rating system. Each exercise will be briefed and carried out in accordance with the Sunsoar briefing notes, which are issued to every member of staff, and available to any pupil.

TRAINING SYSTEM

Each exercise has been individually "risk assessed" every instructor shall be conscious of the possible hazards of each task and the measures that must be adopted to minimise these risks.
The exercise guidance notes should be referred to by the instructor prior to teaching any task. They can be used as an aide-memoire for task briefings.

INSTRUCTORS

All Training will be carried our by BHPA approved and qualified instructors or trainee instructors under the supervision of a BHPA instructor. (As per BHPA requirements)
All Instructors will be First aid qualified.
All Instructors will be issued with a copy of Sunsoar briefing notes,
A BHPA technical manual, and the BHPA notes for instructors leaflet.
Sunsoar paragliding instructors will have access to at least 3 refresher training days per season.
The CFI and senior instructors will themselves attend a BHPA senior instructor or coaching course for refresher and revalidation every three years.

This is only the introduction to our full safety policy and risk assesment ~ the complete document can be examined at our premises.