Meteorology

1)Understand the relationship between wind direction and areas of high and low pressure including

a)Buys ballots law

b)Cyclones / low pressure

c)Anticyclones / high pressure

2)Be able to describe in detail a cold front and a warm front

a)typical clouds

b)conditions

c)pressure changes

d)wind changes

3)Be able to identify some common high, medium and low cloud types and give their approximate heights

a)cirrus/stratus/cumulus

b)alto

c)nimbus

d)lenticular

e)cumulonimbus

f)Fully understand convection

4)The birth and development of a thermal

plot the progress of a thermal given the ELR and initial temperature

isotherm / inversion layer

5)Understand, and be able to define and use meteorological terms such as

a)stability / instability

b)veer / back

c)ELR, DALR, SALR,

d)anabatic / katabatic

e)adiabatic

f)CAVOK

g)Pressure gradient

6)Be able to describe the usual conditions associated with high and low pressure weather systems.

Understand the causes of:

a)valley winds throughout the day

b)sea breezes and sea breeze fronts

c)wave lift

d)fog (of various types)

7)Fully understand and be able to interpret a synoptic chart

a)being able to describe the current weather at selected locations

b)forecast likely changes.

c)Be able to link cloud types to precipitation.

8)Understand temperature soundings (tephigram)

a)Stable / unstable airmass

b)1 millibar = 30 feet, Standard barometric pressure is 1003.2

c)Where is the Bay of Biscay !

Air Law and Navigation

1)Be able to name the official documents, sources and promulgation methods of UK aviation law

2)NOTAM

3)Aeronautical info circulars

4)CAA

5)UK air pilot

6)understand the law regarding Royal Flights and glider radios ( 118.675, 129.9, 129.97, 130.1, 130.135, 130.40)

7)be able to interpret aeronautical charts

scales 1:500000 1:250000

8)difference in the level of information depicted

9)validity periods

10)symbols - government-magenta, civil-blue, AGL, single obstacle lighted, Glider launch site, Microlight flying, Aerodromes (incl. disused or abandoned, ATC) etc.

11)understand the basic structure of Zones, Areas and Airways

12)FIR

13)TMA

14)Control zones from the ground up (CTR)

15)Control areas from one given altitude to another (CTA)

16)Flight levels(1013.2mb)

17)know the dimensions of ATZ's and MATZ's

18)understand the usage of various altimeter settings

a)QFE (aal)

b)QNH (amsl)

c)1013.2mb (QNE) Subscale setting/ Pressure setting

19)know the rules of the air

20)low-flying rules - congested area, hill soaring, large open air gathering, helicopters

21)right hand traffic rule

22)Collision avoidance in the Air

23)Priority rules

24)Tow permission

25)be able to define VMC and VFR (minima, rules)

27)know the legal definitions of night, sunset and sunrise and the relevant flying restrictions to them

28)appreciate the factors affecting compasses (deviation, variation and declination)

29)be able to interpret warning signs

30)understand commonly used abbreviations and initials

32)be able to distinguish between types of airspace that permit glider entry and those that don't

a)AIAAs

b)ATZ

c)MATZs

d)TMA

e)Danger areas

f)Prohibited areas

33)STUDY YOUR AIRCHART AND KEY TO SYMBOLS

Flight Theory and Instruments

1)Be able to explain in detail how a wing creates lift (aerofoil), including the relevance of venturi tubes and Bernoulli's theorem

2)Be able to define and use terms such as chord line, angle of attack, aspect ratio, centre of pressure.

3)Be able to describe the aerodynamics of the stall, asymmetric tucks and recovery, symmetric tuck , how does it affect flight levels

4)Describe rapid descent techniques, induction, recovery and dangers

a)Big ears

b)B-line

5)Be able to simply describe factors affecting pitch stability, roll and yaw

6)Understand the relationship between glide ratio and L/d ratio. Resultant, lift, drag and weight.

7)Understand the effect of ballast (weight loading)

8)Be able to name the forces on a glider in steady flight and explain their relationship

9)Be able to name the various types of drag and explain their causes: i.e. parasitic, induced, total, profile, skin friction etc.

10)Be able to describe the relationship between the induced, parasitic, and total drag and airspeed using drag curves

11)Understand and be able to use a polar curve: min speed, min sink, max glide, speed to fly in rising or sinking air, in head or tail wind and the macready ring

12)Understand the basic working principles of altimeters and variometers

13)Understand terms such as total energy and airmass in connection with variometers

14)Understand paraglider certification, matching harness to paraglider certification, harness adjustment of riser width 'crossbrased and semi crossbraced,' CEN flight tests

Paragliding Pilot Tasks

Complete the following tasks. Members wishing to take their Pilot exam are advised to have a Pilot Task book (available from the BHPA Office) 

NOTE: All flight and height figures quoted are the required minimum.

1) a) for TOWpilots - complete a minimum of 50 flights since achieving CP
rating, with at least 30 flights to above 800 feet AGL in wind speeds of
over 10 mph.

b) for HILL pilots - complete a minimum of 50 flights since attaining CP
rating, with at least 15 flights to a height above take-off, at least 15 flights
in wind speeds of over 15 mph and at least 5 flights in thermic conditions.

2) Demonstrate controlled 360° turns in both directions.

3) Complete at least 5 flights of over 5 minutes duration:

a) for TOWpilots - from a line not exceeding 600 metres, or the equivalent
winch tow height.

b) for HILL pilots - at least 5 minutes are to be above take-off height.
Additionally the HILL pilot must complete a minimum of 25 hours flying
since achieving CP rating.

4) Complete 5 controlled landings in a designated area (not to exceed
10 metres radius).

Additionally the HILL pilot must carry out 2 top landings at each of 2 sites.

5) Experience flying in four different wind directions and at two sites.

6) Display an ability to fly competently and safely in the company of others;
maintaining a good look-out, complying with the Rules of the Air and
exhibiting good airmanship.

7) Satisfy the Instructor as to the the correct attitude to continue a flying
career both safely and competently.

8) Safely demonstrate slow flight awareness and discuss the relevant
symptoms and dangers. (WARNING: deliberate stalls must be avoided.)

9) Maintain directional control whilst showing recovery from tucks of
not less than 50%.

10) Discuss and be able to explain the techniques for avoiding and recovering
from tucks, stalls and spins; and emergency rapid descent techniques
(B line stall and spiral dive).

11) Pass the P written examination paper. (This can be taken with a local club or School)

Now complete the Pilot application form and send it to the BHPA office.

More info on http://www.bhpa.co.uk/members/documents/index.php