Airways Airsports Paragliding

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.