Updated: 2-4-2025
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 SDHGPA 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 https://www.ushpa.org/

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 SDHGPA Members
SDHGPA is not associated or affiliated with any of the following individuals or companies in the School Listing below. Individuals in the listing were club members at one time and are acting independently of the club.  The following listing is not a recommendation or endorsement of their services. This listing includes Schools and Instructors that may not be Verified or Approved for instruction at our SDHGPA San Diego Sites at the time of reading. Many of these instructors teach outside of San Diego County. It also may be incomplete or out of date and is a short list just to get you started in knowing and researching the cast of players: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 SDHGPA Members at one time or another
Hang Gliding San Diego - John Heiney
PG San Diego Paragliding School P1 - P4 Programs - Max Marien ​
PG SIV and advanced clinics - Max Acro - Max Marien 
HG Marshall / Crestline/ Andy Jackson Airpark - Rob McKenzie (Retired)
PG Marshall / Crestline/ Andy Jackson Airpark - Jerome Daoust (Retired?)
​Paragliding San Diego & LA Countys -  ParaCalifornia Paragliding School
PG Santa Barbara - Eagle Paragliding
PG, PPG, & HG Point of the Mt Utah - SuperFly 
Paragliding & HG San Diego - Torrey Pines Gliderport
PG / Mini & Speed Wing /Saboba - Jeremy Bishop / Little Cloud 
PPG / PG Baja - Sky Toys Kent Erickson​​ - Casey Cadwell (USHPA expired)?
The Bad & Ugly  (it takes a lot to get on this list)
Instructors and Schools to Avoid / Not Recognized by SDHGPA 
As of Jan 1 2019
Instructors that have once taught in San Diego 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:
SDHGPA and USHPA Public Comments to the Press regarding Super Dell Schanze, and his flight school operations or business entities on our Blog posted  7-3-2013.
Other Instructors nation wide that Do Not hold valid USHPA or Instructor Appointments and or had their Appointments Revoked. 
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 search for the following sections on the USHPA Site under Learn to Fly: