Airways Airsports operates from Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne in south Derbyshire — a flat lowland airfield site rather than a traditional ridge venue. The school covers hang gliding, paragliding and powered paragliding, and the airfield setting means takeoff and landing are predictable and well-supervised, which suits absolute beginners learning the basics of canopy handling.
What to expect
Ground-handling courses, tandem flights, and full BHPA Elementary Pilot pathways. The flat airfield environment is ideal for the ground-school phase — first flights are short hops on gentle slopes adjacent to the airfield. More advanced training uses ridge sites in the Peak District 20-30 minutes north. The school’s instructor team is unusually large for the industry, which keeps ratios strong on busy weekends.
Practical notes
Open year-round with most training March-October. Ashbourne, Matlock and the southern Peak villages all offer accommodation within easy driving distance. The Derbyshire weather is more predictable than further north and the airfield is sheltered from the worst westerly conditions. Lessons book through the website. Bring sturdy footwear and a packed lunch — the airfield cafe is basic. Excellent option for first-timers who want a controlled introduction before committing to ridge-site training.
Who it suits
Airways Airsports suits people who want choice: it teaches hang gliding, paragliding and powered paragliding from one airfield base. The flat, lowland site makes it a controlled environment for first lessons rather than a traditional hill venue.
Getting there
The base is Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne in south Derbyshire. Ashbourne has no railway station; the nearest railheads are Derby and Uttoxeter, and a car is needed to reach the airfield.
Quick answers
What can you learn here?
Hang gliding, paragliding and powered paragliding (paramotoring). The airfield setting means flat-ground launching is part of the mix, which suits powered training in particular.
Do you need experience to start?
No. Beginner courses across all three disciplines assume no prior flying experience.
When is the best time of year?
Spring to autumn for the most flyable conditions, with training booked flexibly around the weather.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- Derby (East Midlands Railway from St Pancras, ~1h30), then taxi (~20 min)
- Parking
- Darley Moor Airfield on-site free parking
- Postcode
- DE6 2ET
- Drive
- ~2h30 from London, ~1h from Birmingham
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this site — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
- BHPA British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association — qualifications and instructor accreditation.
- BHPA Sites Guide flying sites by region and recommended local clubs.
- XCWeather pilot-focused weather forecasts — wind, cloudbase, thermal index.
- RASP UK thermal soaring forecast model used by UK XC pilots.
