Progression paragliding course: progressing towards independence
The next step after the beginner course: 5 or 3 days to progress, first in calm conditions on the site you learnt on, then towards active piloting, reading lift and thermal flying, adapted to your level. €750 for 5 days, €450 for 3 days, groups of 7 students at most.
The progression course is the second step of training, after the beginner paragliding course and its first high flights. It is for pilots coming out of a beginner course, with us or at another school.
Independence does not come in a single course: it is built up over several progression courses, first in calm conditions on the site you learnt on (Gréolières for our beginner students). It is the pilot's progression, at your own pace, with personal follow-up and State-qualified instructors (DEJEPS and BEES).
In this guide: the next dates, what you work on, the conditions to sign up, the day à la carte, what comes next and your questions.
The dates
Next progression course dates
Dates, place, price and places left, taken from our course schedule. A session is confirmed from 5 participants.
10–14 May 2027, Gréolières (06), €750: 7 places left · Sign up
The programme
The pilot's progression: what you work on
Paragliding progression adapted to your level, with advanced theory and a video debrief.
First
The site you learnt on, in calm conditions
You pick up the high flights where the beginner course left off: first in calm conditions, on the site you learnt on, Gréolières for our beginner students.
Piloting
Active piloting
You learn to actively pilot your wing in flight, to gain precision and safety. To work on it on the ground, see ground handling at the Dune du Pilat.
The sky
Lift and thermals
Reading lift and thermal flying, adapted to your level: the basics for staying in the air longer.
On the ground
Landings
Advanced landing techniques, with advanced theory and a video debrief after the flights.
Sign up
Who it is for, and how to sign up
For whom
Who can sign up: after a beginner course
Having done a beginner course. Aged 14 to 55 (above that, we check together by phone), 30 to 90 kg, with a medical certificate less than 3 months old.
Licence and equipment
FFVL licence and equipment
The FFVL licence is compulsory to fly on a course, to take out yourself with the federation: it is not included. Equipment is provided; with your own equipment, the course costs €60 less.
Booking
Booking: 25% deposit, decision 4 days before
A 25% deposit by bank transfer when you sign up. The session is confirmed from 5 participants; below that, you are on the waiting list, with no deposit. The decision is taken 4 days before; the balance is paid on site on the first day.
Already trained?
A day à la carte
Have you done at least one beginner course and was your last flight less than a year ago? You can join one day of a course, at €180, to benefit from the logistics and the support at take-off and landing. It is not a course: for three days or more, the 3-day progression course (€450) works out cheaper.
After the progression course: licence, independence, SIV
Autonomy
Towards the pilot licence
Progression courses are part of the path to the pilot licence: it is all explained in our guide to flying a paraglider solo.
Independent pilots
The Southern Sites course
Once independent, the Southern Sites course (5 days, €800) takes you to several flying sites. All our options are on the paragliding courses page.
Safety
Preparing for an SIV course with us
We do not run SIV courses, but we know how to prepare you for one: see our guide to the SIV paragliding course.
Frequently asked questions
Progression paragliding course: your questions
Price, duration, prerequisite, programme, dates and booking.
How much does a progression paragliding course cost?
€750 for 5 days, or €450 for 3 days, equipment provided; €60 less with your own equipment. The FFVL licence, which is compulsory, is not included.
Do you need to have done a beginner course?
Yes. The progression course follows on from the beginner course, done with us or at another school. For a first course, start with the 5-day beginner course.
How many courses does it take to become independent?
Several. Independence is built up over several progression courses, first in calm conditions on the site you learnt on, then with active piloting and thermal flying, at your own pace.
What do you work on in a progression course?
Active piloting, reading lift and thermal flying, adapted to your level, and advanced landing techniques, with advanced theory and a video debrief.
Can you bring your own equipment?
Yes: equipment is provided, but with your own equipment, the course costs €60 less.
When do the progression courses take place?
The dates are in our course schedule. We run courses in winter too: no courses from January to mid-February, when conditions are too uncertain, or in July and August, when they are too strong.
How does booking work?
A 25% deposit by bank transfer when you sign up. The session is confirmed from 5 participants; below that, you are on the waiting list, with no deposit. The decision is taken 4 days before, and the balance is paid on site on the first day.
Can you come for just one day?
Yes, with the day à la carte (€180), if you have done at least one beginner course and your last flight was less than a year ago. For three days or more, the 3-day progression course (€450) works out cheaper.
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Written by the teamAiléments, paragliding & canyoning instructors
Based in Gréolières since 2013. Progression courses are run in particular by Pierre-Yves, BEES instructor with 31 years of free flight, who guides pilots towards independence. State-qualified instructors (DEJEPS and BEES), more than 20 years of experience and 10,000 flights.
DEJEPS and BEES instructorsGroups of 7 at most1291+ reviews 5/510,000 flights
Towards independence
