TANDEM FLIGHTS
 

1. Discovery


A pleasure that's available to everyone, with no prior experience required. This flight will be an unforgettable experience and/or your initiation in piloting a hang glider, in the company of a professional instructor (with 15 years of dual flying experience and a vice champion of Europe).



2. Learning

Using dual controls is the best and only way to learn how to fly an aircraft.

Using this technique allows you to gain confidence in the wing, to be familiar with the sensation of flight and altitude, to explore limits of the machine (stall, max. speed), and to show how to climb and approach the landing field and more... The advantage for the instructor is that he knows and can test the students before their first solo flights.

The advantage of the site of St HILAIRE (an easy takeoff and a steep slope) with a quick turn around, allows us to use this method to your advantage (3 flights during your training). Few other schools can offer this.

 
FLIGHT SIMULATOR
 


Clipped in to your wing and guided by a 660 ft long cable, you can have the sensations of flight ; take off, control of your speed, glide path and the landing, all in total security, and under the control of an instructor. Used for your initial training, this system is also appreciated by the children, just for the fun of it !

The tension of the cable is calculated to allow you to fly the hang glider within set limits, only coming in to effect if you make an error, in which case it can carry you all the way down : so, you really do fly the hang glider.

The cord on which the glider is suspended and the slack in the cable allows you to alter your glide path and to make light turns.
 
TRAINING
 

1. After your 1st high flight

Before your first high flight under radio guidance, you will have, several sessions at the training slope, 3 dual flights and 2 theory lessons. You will progress at your own pace, perhaps after only 2 sessions at the training slope (it's rare, bravo !) or after 12 (sometimes it's harder !!!).

With the most up to date materials (flight simulator, mechanical lift for the gliders and light weight wings), the average person will need 5 sessions at the training slope and 3 dual flights; on this we base our "first flight package", but you can be assured that there will be no further costs before your first high flight. If you are gifted and take less time at the training slope, we will give you more high flights, so you can not lose out !

Another option during the 150 days/year on which we are open would be:

- a day of discovery which consists of simulator flights and a tandem flight

- a course of basic training (which is best taken on three consecutive days) which consists of 3 mornings at the training slope, a dual flight and basic theory.

If either of these options are taken we will deduct the price from the first flight package.


2. The training package (paragliding, ...)


If you have already started to learn with another school, we can offer a course to suit you.

If you regularly practice another aerial sport (paragliding, gliding, microlight etc...), your experience will allow you to learn more quickly. So we can offer you the training package for paraglider pilots which consists of 5 (maximum) mornings at the training slope, two dual flight, theory for hang gliding and the first solo flight.



 
ADVANCED COURSE
 

1. farming's great St Hilaire flights

After your first high flight, guided by radio with an instructor at the takeoff and at the landing, your next step towards independence and your license will be to :

- fly supine (3-4 flights) - use a double surface wing of higher performance and the drag chute (5-10 flights) - use thermals (10 flights-licence) - fly different sites, guided less and less by radio and then gaining your license (around 30 flights ) Your progression will start at St HILAIRE, the idea is to accumulate as many flights as possible within a short period of time, so you are confident in the air (10-15 flights), this will allow you to move on to "further training".

Each day we make two to four flights at St HILAIRE, with a top to bottom of 2600 ft (ref to the calendar).This price includes, all the materials for your flight, instruction by radio by the instructors at the takeoff and landing, and the return to the top.

We sometimes make day trips to other sites, for the pleasure of it and to optimize the aerological conditions. The price of your flight doesn't change but the cost of travel to the site is equivalent to one flight. This service is open to beginners and qualified pilots.

Advice You may be tempted to by your equipment too early : WAIT until you have tried the equipment before buying, it is the only way to be sure that the equipment is right for you; don't hesitate to ask our advice !


2. The further training (5 days)

One site will not always be the best for the aerological conditions. Changing sites because of the wind (and other parameters), will allow us to fly where the lift is better and/or easier.





- Level 1

This course is open to beginners who have at least ten high flights, but licensed pilots are equally welcome. Our objectives : to show you new sites, to help you make flights of a longer duration, and for the better pilots to start cross-country flying. The school provides all the equipment and travel. The accommodation is normally in " gites de groupe ", which are good quality and at a fair price. A maximum of 7 students, with two instructors.

- Level 2

This course is open to pilots who can make a safe landing on their own after a cross-country flight (with or without a drag chute). Our objectives : cross-country flights and improving your flying ability (optimizing thermals, efficient control movements of the glider so you have more energy for longer flights, take off, landing, etc. ...).For equipment etc. as level one.

- Ambiance

It's not only the beginners who enjoy these trips, but each year experienced pilots continue to join us because of the ambiance, the organization of the car and driver, the instructors "guides" who have the ability to choose the right site for the day (not so easy !!!), and will always help you to progress. Some pilots have never bought their own wings, but treat themselves to one or two courses of further training and some weekends.