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Updated: 7/22/2025
Selecting the Right School / Instructor
Free Flight in the West is not so wild as it was in the early days. We have learned a lot since then. But finding the right Instructor or School can be like reading or entering into the the pages of an old spaghetti western when trying to decipher what is hype and what is legitimate when the topics may be new to you.
So how to find the right Instructor:
1st: The COL encourages people interested in learning to fly Hang Gliders, Paragliders, Mini / Speed Wings, or Power Paragliders (PPG) to start by seeking out trained Instructors and Schools holding valid USHPA Instructor Appointments.
You can check whether an Instructor or School holds a USHPA Instructor Appointment by consulting the USHPA website at http://www.ushpa.aero
2nd: Then call and talk with as many Instructors and Schools as you can. Also talk with experienced pilots in your area asking for their opinions. Think of this as an interview hiring process. Every instructor has their own slightly different experiences, knowledge, instruction style and methods. You will want to chose a School or Instructor that best meets your learning and personality style along with one that you will get the most out of to meet your overall aspirations in the sport. Do you want to fly Coastal, Mts, Thermal and cross country? Fortunately a lot of this is a progression and you can shift your priorities with each rating level. Start with who you feel most comfortable with and have a fun and deep learning process with.
In the end you are responsible for selecting who trains you; so take your time, don't rush and choose wisely! Ask a lot of questions and stay open minded when it comes to your personal safety! Ask for recommendations and then get a second and third opinion.
Verify your Instructor or School holds a valid USHPA Instructor Appointment
Listing of Instructors and Schools Listed by COL Members.
COL is not associated or affiliated with any of the following individuals or companies in the School Listing below.
The following listing is not a recommendation or endorsement of their services.
It also may be incomplete or out of date and is a short list just to get you started in knowing and researching the cast of players:
The Good ?
Instructors and Schools Listed by COL Members at one time or another.
Want to learn to Hang glide?
Corvallis, OR 97330
John Matylonek
Call 541-913-1339 Leave Message. Will Call Back.
http://www.oregonhanggliding.com/
https://www.facebook.com/OregonHangGlidingSchool/
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Want to learn to Paraglide?
Kevin Graupman
Spokane WA
509-362-1568
yarddoctor@yahoo.com
Aerial Paragliding
8101 Hay Canyon Rd
Cashmere, WA 98815
509-782-5543 office
https://www.facebook.com/AerialParagliding/
The Bad & Ugly (it takes a lot to get on this list)
Instructors and Schools to Avoid / Not Recognized by COL
As of Jan 1 2019
Instructors that have once taught that Do Not hold valid USHPA or USPPA Instructor Appointments and or had their Appointments Revoked. These Instructors or associated Schools should be avoided:
Dell Schanze, and his operations or business entities including self created World Powered Paragliding Association (http://www.wppga.org/)
Not So SuperDell Schanze, and his flight school operations or business entities:
USHPA Public Comments to the Press regarding Super Dell Schanze, and his flight school operations or business entities on the San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association Blog posted 7-3-2013.
These Instructors or associated Schools should be avoided:
USHPA REVOKED INSTRUCTOR CERTS
These Pilots or Pilots with Revoked ratings should be avoided for Tandem or other Instruction under ratings that were revoked:
More on How to Choose a Hang Gliding and Paragliding Instructor or School
Paragliding (PG) and Powered Paragliding (PPG) flight is conducted under FAR Part 103, and is deemed to be self regulating. The FAA and Pilot Community Recognized Self Regulation body for our sports is the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) and/ or the United States Powered Paragliding Association (USPPA) . All competent and respected instructors are members of one or both of these two organizations and abide by their self regulation guidelines for each respective discipline. Ask if the School is accredited is
We recommend calling and talking with several schools and instructors, including several in other popular flying locations before making a choose. In the end you are responsible for selecting who trains you so take your time, don't rush and choose wisely! Ask a lot of questions and stay open minded when it comes to your personal safety! Ask for recommendations and then get a second and third opinion, it's only your life!
Further reading on the subject
USHPA article: How to choose an instructor
Google Sites
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