How to learn to fly paragliding

A Complete Guide for Aspiring Pilots – From Choosing a School to the First Autonomous Flight

fassafly.com – Paragliding in Val di Fassa, Dolomites

Flying is one of humanity’s oldest dreams. Since the Wright brothers first plied the skies of Kitty Hawk, man has continued to refine his ability to soar through the air by increasingly sophisticated – yet increasingly accessible – means. Paragliding is, of all people, the form of flight that comes closest to the pure sensation of gliding like a bird: no engine, no fuselage, just the sail, the wind, and the pilot.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already tasted the adrenaline rush of a tandem flight-perhaps right here in Val di Fassa, in the Dolomites-and you’re wondering: can I learn that too? The answer is yes. With the right preparation, a good school, and the necessary amount of patience and respect for the mountain environment, learning to fly paragliding is a realistic goal for anyone with good general physical condition and a healthy desire to challenge themselves.

In this comprehensive guide, we explain everything you need to know: what to expect from a basic course, how long the training program takes, what certifications you’ll need, and why the Dolomites-particularly the Val di Fassa-represent one of the most formative and spectacular scenarios in which to take your first steps as a pilot.

1 – What Paragliding Really Is and Why Start

The paraglider is an ultralight aircraft without an engine – in the classic version, called free-flight – composed of an airfoil sail inflated by air pressure, a series of load-bearing funicelles and a special saddle in which the pilot sits. Unlike the hang glider, the structure is soft and can be completely folded into a backpack: this makes it one of the most portable and versatile flight instruments in the world.

The features that make paragliding particularly attractive to those who want to start flying are many: take-off takes place by running on a grassy slope, landing does not require equipped runways, and the entire basic equipment weighs on average between 15 and 20 kilograms. Compared to other air sports, access and maintenance costs are relatively low.

But beware: paragliding is a sport that requires serious training, constant attention to weather conditions, and a long, progressive learning process. There are no safe shortcuts. For this very reason, relying on certified schools and qualified instructors is the essential first step.

2 – Requisiti fisici e attitudinali per dire pilota di parapendio

Before enrolling in a course, it is helpful to understand whether you have the basic characteristics to undertake this path. From a physical point of view, paragliding does not require particular athletic skills: a good

general health, the ability to walk on uneven terrain and hold a few kilogram of a backpack. Many pilots start after age 40 and fly into old age.

However, there are some medical contraindications to evaluate with your doctor, including uncontrolled epilepsy, serious heart or respiratory conditions, and balance disorders. In Italy, to obtain a paragliding pilot certificate, a medical examination is required-the level of in-depth study depends on the type of patent you intend to obtain.

On the attitudinal front, the most useful qualities are: the ability to manage stress, an inclination towards prudence and critical self-assessment, a predisposition to continuous learning and a healthy dose of humility. Paragliding rewards those who know how to stop when conditions are not favorable, much more than those who insist on flying despite warning signs.

The practical prerequisites

• Minimum age: 16 years (with parental consent for minors)
• Good general physical condition and no serious medical contraindications Ability to run on a slope with approximately 15 kg on the shoulders
• No prior aviation experience required
• Basic knowledge of meteorology – learned during the course

3 – How to choose the right paragliding school

The choice of school is probably the most important decision in the entire educational process. In Italy, recognized paragliding schools operate under the aegis of the ASPI (Association of Italian Paragliding Schools) or the ACPV (Association of Paragliding and Free Flight Clubs), which in turn refer to the FIVL (Italian Free Flight Federation) and the internationally recognized IPPI (International Pilot Proficiency Information) of the IPPI Card.

A good paragliding school must have certified instructors, a modern and regularly overhauled equipment park, flight sites tested and suitable for all stages of learning, and a structured curriculum that respects the logical progression of skills.

Never rely on “private” courses offered by pilots who are not certified as instructors, regardless of their personal flying experience. The difference between an experienced pilot and a qualified instructor is enormous: the instructor knows the pedagogy of flight, knows how to guide a student safely, and knows how to handle emergencies in training.

Questions to ask before signing up

• Is the school affiliated with FIVL or an equivalent recognized entity? Do instructors have up-to-date teaching certificates?
• What is the student/instructor ratio during practical exercises?
• What is the minimum number of flights scheduled in the basic course? Is the equipment provided recent and EN certified?
• Does the school offer assistance and tutoring after the course?

4 – The basic paragliding course: structure and contents

The basic course – also called the initial course or first level – is the training program that takes the student from level zero to the ability to make the first autonomous flights under controlled conditions. In Italy, the typical duration

varies from 6 to 12 days of activity, divided between theory and practice. Some schools offer intensive one- or two-week courses, others prefer the weekend format spread over several months.

theoretical module

• The theoretical part of the course covers the essential basics of flying safely. Key topics include:
• Aerodynamics applied to paragliding: how the sail generates lift, the role of the angle of attack, stability and instability of the profile
• Elementary meteorology: reading forecasts, clouds indicating thermal, wind at altitude and on the ground, the daily convective cycle
• Free flight regulations in Italy: airspace, ENAC regulations, pilot’s responsibilities
• Materials and equipment: the sail structure, saddle, emergency parachute, variometer and GPS
• Emergency management: asymmetric collapse, screwing, emergency landing

Practical module

The practical part is the heart of the course and typically takes place in three progressive phases. In the first phase, the student learns to inflate and control the sail on land: exercises in frontal and backward inflation, sailing running, and wind gust management. This phase is called “groundhandling” and may seem boring at first, but it’s crucial: a pilot who masters groundhandling has already solved 70% of the problems encountered on takeoff.

In the second phase, the first short flights-called “slidates”-are carried out on slopes with a few meters of altitude difference, with the aim of learning to take off, maintain direction, and land safely. Each flight lasts a few seconds, but the learning intensity is very high.

Nella terza fase, con la supervisione radiofonica dell’istruttore, lo studente vola su siti di maggiore dislivello e inizia a sperimentare le manovre di controllo: virate, frenate, gestione della velocità. È in questa fase che emerge la comprensione intuitiva della vela e si cominciano a sviluppare i riflessi del pilota.

5 – How long does it take to learn to paraglide?

This is the question that every aspiring pilot asks first. The honest answer is: it depends. It depends on how often you take the course, weather conditions, individual learning ability, and the type of patent you want to obtain.

On average, 3 to 6 months of regular practice are required to complete the basic course and obtain the novice pilot certificate (IPPI Card level 2 or Italian equivalent). An intensive summer course can compress time, but real training requires returning to the same situation several times under different weather conditions.

The stage route

• Groundhandling and short flights: 2-4 days
• Flights to radio-supervised base sites: 4-8 days
• First technical assessment and theory: at the end of the basic course
• IPPI Card Level 2 Certificate (Beginner Pilot): After approximately 50 certified minimum flights
• IPPI Card Level 3 (Autonomous Pilot): After 100-200 hours of flight time in general, with advanced training
• Full pilot license: multi-year route, with optional specializations

An aspect often underestimated by newbies is that the true learning of paragliding does not end with the basic course: it continues for years, through the experience accumulated flight after flight, the attendance of other experienced pilots, safety refresher courses and specialized clinics (SIV – Simulation d’Incidents en Vol – for in-flight emergency management).

6 – Why learn to paraglide in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are not only one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009 – but also represent an extraordinarily rich and formative flying environment. The wide valley floors, well-exposed slopes, thermal air typical of the spring and summer seasons, and the presence of predictable valley winds make this area an exceptional laboratory for free flight.

The Val di Fassa, in particular, offers conditions that combine the beauty of the landscape with the variety of flight conditions: from calm mornings and laminar flows ideal for training flights, to thermal afternoons that allow experienced pilots to travel long cross-country routes along the ridges of the Pale di San Martino and the Marmolada.

It is no coincidence that many instructors and schools active in this area have a long tradition of training pilots who then continue to fly safely throughout Europe.

FassaFly: Flying to Val di Fassa with Jimmy Pacher

FassaFly is the reference reality for paragliding flight in the Val di Fassa. Founded and led by professional pilot Jimmy Pacher, it offers tandem two-seater flights for those who want to experience the thrill of free flight in the Dolomites for the first time, as well as training courses for those who want to embark on their own journey as a pilot.

Tandem flying with FassaFly is not simply a tourist experience: it is often the first concrete step towards choosing to learn to fly independently. Many pilots now active in Trentino and throughout the Northeast say they “infected” their passion during their first two-seater flight in these same skies.

Paragliding in the Dolomites isn’t just a sport: it’s a different way of reading the mountains, of understanding the wind, of feeling part of a landscape that from above reveals shapes and sizes that the earth cannot convey.

7 – The equipment to get started: what you need and how much it costs

One aspect that often discourages potential beginners is the cost of the equipment. It’s true that a new complete setup can be a significant investment, but there are much more accessible solutions for beginners.

the basic equipment

• Sail: For beginners, a low EN A or EN B certified sail is recommended, designed to maximize stability and docile behavior. New price: from 2,500 to 4,000 euros. Certified and revised used: 800-1,800 euros
• Selletta: available in school (affordable, sturdy) or sports versions. New price: 500-1,500 euros Emergency parachute: mandatory in Italy for free flight. Price: 600-1,200 euros. It should be folded and periodically revised
• Helmet: Approved for free flight. Price: 150-400 euros

Instruments: GPS variometer (essential for understanding thermals). Price: 300-700 euros Technical clothing: functional layers, gloves, shoes with good ankle

For beginners, the school usually provides the complete equipment during the course. The personal purchase of a setup only becomes relevant when you have obtained the patent and start flying regularly and autonomously. At this stage, many pilots choose certified second-hand as their first option, to reduce their initial investment as experience builds up.

8 -Paragliding Safety: Myths and Reality

Is paragliding a risky sport? Like any activity that takes place in the air and in a mountain environment, it carries real risks that should not be minimized. However, statistical data show that the vast majority of serious accidents are attributable to three main factors: flight in unsuitable weather conditions, lack of adequate experience with the chosen site, and equipment that has not been overhauled or is not suitable for the pilot’s level.

All three of these factors are largely controllable. A pilot who respects weather conditions, flies to sites appropriate to his or her experience, and keeps the equipment in order dramatically reduces residual risk. Paragliding practiced with discipline and respect for the rules is significantly safer than popular perception suggests.

The golden rules of paragliding safety

• Never fly in weather conditions you can’t read and interpret with certainty
• Always respect the experience limit: new sites, new conditions or new maneuvers require gradualness Have your sail serviced every 200 flight hours or at least every 3 years
• Take a SIV course before flying to sites with strong thermals or in strong wind conditions Fly with a radio and, possibly, another pilot who knows the site
• Always tell someone where you go to fly and what time you plan to return
  

  9 – Tandem flying: the best way to get started

  Before committing to a paragliding course, many people choose to do a two-seater tandem flight with a professional pilot. This is, by far, the smartest choice to understand if paragliding is really for you.

  A tandem flight allows you to experience the real sensation of takeoff, gliding, thermals and landing in total safety, under the guidance of a certified pilot and on approved passenger transport equipment. You can observe the instructor’s hands on the controls, listen to his explanations during the flight, and understand what it really means to paraglide in the Dolomite wind.

  FassaFly offers tandem flights in Val di Fassa all year round (weather-friendly), taking off from the most scenic slopes of the valley and landing on the valley floor. Each flight generally lasts between 15 and 40 minutes depending on thermal conditions, and includes video/photo footage of the flight.

  You don’t have to be sporty, brave, or a mountain expert: all it takes is the desire to discover something extraordinary and closed shoes with good ankles. The rest is done by the wind.

10 – Paragliding FAQs (FAQs) for Beginners

Can I learn to paraglide if I’m afraid of the void?

Many pilots report having some vertigo before the first flight. The difference between the fear of emptiness from a balcony and the sensation in flight is substantial: in the air you don’t perceive the “precipice” in the same way, because you are immersed in the element. That said, only a tandem flight can give you a personalized answer.

Is there a maximum age to start paragliding?

Formally, no, as long as health conditions permit. There are pilots who started at 60 and continue to fly with great satisfaction. Paragliding is a sport of technique and sensitivity, not brute force.

Can I fly alone after the basic course?

At the end of the basic course and with a beginner’s certificate, you will be able to fly independently on sites appropriate to your level, often in the presence of other pilots. It is not recommended to fly alone to new sites in the early stages. The free flight community is generally very welcoming and collaborative.

How much does a full basic course cost?

In Italy, the cost of a complete basic course (theory + practice, without equipment) typically ranges from 900 to 1,600 euros, depending on the school and duration. Some schools offer all-inclusive formulas with equipment rental included.

Conclusion: Heaven is not an unattainable dream

Learning to fly paragliding is a journey that requires time, commitment, and humility-but it restores something difficult to describe to those who haven’t experienced it: the freedom to move through the air, to read the wind like a written text, to see the world from a perspective that forever changes the way we look at the mountains.

The Dolomites are one of the most beautiful places in the world to start this journey. Val di Fassa, with its proven flight sites, its favorable microclimate and the presence of professionals like Jimmy Pacher of FassaFly, offers everything you need to take your first steps in the world of free flight safely and with enthusiasm.

Whether you simply want to savor the thrill of tandem flying, or your goal is to become an autonomous pilot, the best time to start is now. The sky of the Dolomites awaits you.

Book your tandem flight in Val di Fassa

www.fassafly.com | Jimmy Pacher | Val di Fassa, Dolomiti

Paragliding tandem flights • Flight experiences • UNESCO Dolomites