Paragliding School

Learn to fly a paraglider!

Paragliding Flight Training

The network of Recreational Flight schools offer paragliding courses across Quebec and Canada. Lessons are private or semi private and students may learn at their own pace.

Comparatively to a hang glider, a paraglider is slower. Its speed varies between 20 km/hr to 50 km/hr, but its rate of descent is similar to a hang glider. Generally, paragliders and hang gliders can stay in the air the same amount of time. The paraglider training is more within the reach of lighter or younger persons and women. Paragliding is less physically demanding to learn and to fly.

The paragliding training structure is similar to the hang gliding training (please see the hang gliding training description). The main difference is that paragliding requires fewer lessons than hang gliding because it is less technical and more accessible to everyone.

The first lesson takes place on the ground where the instructor gives basic explanations. It is your first contact with the equipment. You will also do your first canopy inflation or takeoff simulations on the ground.

Then, the instructor will bring you to the school mole hill where you will practice paraglider handling and make your first takeoffs and landings. These lessons will allow you to make your first flights lasting a few seconds and will prepare you appropriately for your first high mountain solo flight. Eight lessons on the school mole hill are usually enough to cover your ground training. You can also, on request, make an altitude tandem flight with an instructor in order to practice your flying maneuvers. However, this tandem is not an obligation and only takes place at the student’s request or if the instructor thinks it is necessary.

A static winch is used to make your first paraglider flight. The winch can take you progressively to several hundreds of feet.

When the instructor decides that you are ready, you will make your first solo flight. The principle is the same as hang gliding. Twenty-five to thirty solo flights are necessary, always under radio guidance at the beginning, assisted by two instructors, one at the takeoff site and one at the landing site. The first flights occur in the early evening in still air and eventually progress to the afternoon in more moving air. Afternoon flights take place in thermal conditions helping you to learn how to use rising air currents (thermals), those that will enable you, after your course completion, to fly high and far.

Most of the training is hands-on, some of the theory will be taught along as well. An eight-hour theory class is part of the beginner pilot's training. This course will cover different subjects such as: meteorology, flight theory, flight regulations, aerodynamics, etc...

As soon as the student is ready to fly in different weather conditions, he/she is declared self-sufficient by the school instructor thus authorizing him/her to fly without school supervision.

For budget purposes, full paragliding training, costs approximately $3000. The price may vary slightly depending on various factors such as the individual’s abilities and the weather conditions.

All the equipment is provided during your course. If you want to keep on flying with you own equipment afterwards, we can advise you on the best choice of equipment for you and also offer you our products.

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