High Praise from BHPA for services to paragliding - Ann Welch Memorial award

Rob Mansley, Chief Flying Instructor at FlySpain Paragliding in Andalucia has been awarded the Ann Welch Memorial Award and a gathering hosted in Piccadilly, London at the Royal Aero club.

He and his family lunched at The Royal Aero Club before be presented by the coveted award by His Royal Highness, Prince MIchael of Kent. The award is given to individuals that have made a huge contribution to paragliding tuition and coaching in the Sport in the UK. 

The event was held at the wonderful Royal Aero club in Piccadilly, included pre drinks n the club bar and a wonderful lunch. then presentations to a variety of individuals across aviation.

Ann Welch was an incredible women who once she got her motorbike liscence rode to the nearest aerodrome and signed up to learn how to fly a plane. Following a illustrious life and career flying she devoted  her time to encourageing more yourth into the sports of flying, both hanggliding and paragliding. 

FlySpain is run by Rob and his family for the last 20 years. It is the the largest BHPA school working in Europe outside the Uk and has a reputation for producing top quality standards in Paragliding tutiion within the Sport. As a school they train over 300 paragliding and paramotoring students per year on inclusive paragliding courses, as a guiding business they also offer coaching holidays for guided pilots looking to improve their skills. 

Rob's enthusiasm for the sport of both Paragliding and Paramotoring has led his school to be recognised for their contribution to the ever swelling numbers of paragliding pilots in the Uk and beyond. As a massive advocate for the enthusiasm of safety and coaching and high teaching standards in paragliding.

 He himself started his flying career in Mid Wales in the late 1990's, trained as an instructor in Brighton before travelling the world with his paraglider, having seen similar intensive courses being offered in New Zeallnad he set about with his wife, Nicola to start a center of excellence offering paragliding and paramotoring to all levels from their base, the Eagles nest in Andalucia, offering great weather in the perfect environment. Robs whole family now fly, given the opportunity whilst their son, is now part of the British paragliding team at the age of just 20 years old.

For the many that know Rob & Dylan the most impressive aspect will no doubt be how the clean up and well they wore there suits!!!