Creating incidents to learn how to manage them, above water and safely: the SIV paragliding course guide, what it is for, how to prepare for it and how to choose the right one. By our DEJEPS and BEES instructors, Gréolières since 2013.
Flying above the water
An SIV course is when you learn to be afraid… then to stop panicking. You deliberately trigger flight incidents — collapses, stalls — to learn to recognise them and recover from them, in an ultra-safe setting above the water.
This SIV paragliding course guide explains what it really serves for, how it works, and how to get started. to prepare for it and especially how well, choose it wisely — because not all courses are equal. This is the logical extension of active steering : The SIV transforms theory into reflexes, valuable when one is flying engaged or in cross.
It is written by the Ailéments team, paragliding school at Gréolières (06) since 2013. We do not offer SIV — it is a specialty above water — but we train our pilots for it and advise them on how to safely complete this step.
SIV stands for Simulation of a Flight Incident. The idea is simple: to live once, safely, in a way that we hope we will never have to experience by surprise.
Under the watchful eye of an instructor, incidents are deliberately triggered (wing collapses, stalls) to learn how to handle them. Recognize, manage and get out of it. What separates the calm pilot from the one who panics is having already experienced it.
The SIV anchors automatisms : the right position of the body, the right gesture at the right moment, and the decision to throw the Reserve parachute if needed. One comes out with a fine understanding of one's wing and a confidence that changes everything during flight — one of the best gestures of prevention from a pilot.
Everything takes place above a lake or the sea: if a maneuver goes wrong, it is not serious. Water is the safety net that allows us to dare to practice and repeat the exercises until the gesture becomes natural.
A good SIV is first and foremost a structured safety plan, followed by a progression of exercises carried out at your own pace and reviewed in video.
You fly with one Self-inflating life jacket. An instructor guides you by radio during each maneuver, and one fast boat is ready to recover in a few seconds. Each flight is Filmed Then we analyze it in the evening via video debriefing: that's when we understand and correct things.
We are progressing in stages: Asymmetrical closures then frontals, management of rolling and pitching, dropping out, exit from'autorotation, Backwards march, approach the flight area… and, depending on the level, the reserve parachute throw. Never all at once: each exercise is only tackled once the previous one has been mastered.
An SIV is not a course for beginners: you get even more out of it when you arrive prepared. That is the whole point of working on it beforehand, something the courses themselves rarely explain. To start out, it is the beginner paragliding course.
You need to be comfortable with inflation, taking off and landing, know how to make a turn, and have the pilot licence. Already solid active piloting lets you enjoy the exercises instead of enduring them. That is what our progression course works on.
Wing, harness and helmet approved, adapted to your level, and a Reserve parachute recently withdrawn (usually less than six months). The choice of equipment Part of the preparation: you don't discover a demanding wing on the day of the SIV.
Working on active piloting in real air, in thermal and in some adapted conditions, prepares the body and the head. That is exactly what we do in advanced training course before sending a pilot to SIV.
Not all SIV courses are equal. A few simple criteria make the difference between a course that really helps you progress and one that just scares you.
An instructor state-qualified, a clear radio communication, and above all a small staff So that everyone flies often and is followed individually. Avoid too many groups where there is more waiting than flying.
A Reactive recovery boat, Quality vests, and a real one video debriefing The video is not a gimmick: reviewing your maneuver in slow motion is what makes progress happen the fastest.
A suitable stretch of water and gentle conditions, a clear progression from one day to the next, and a consistent budget: allow around €220 to €230 per day, over two to three days. A good course fits into a path, with advice for afterwards.
We do not offer SIVs, but we are well aware of the subject: here is where to go and how we are preparing you for it.
Le Lake Annecy is the French leader in SIV: mild conditions, experienced supervision. For a quality course on the lake, we are happy to recommend recognized specialists such as Fly Safe Annecy.
Closer to home, the site of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Allows you to work above the Mediterranean, On the edge of the French Riviera. A superb setting for a yacht charter on the sea, just a short distance from our territory in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Our advanced training courses they bring you to the right level to approach the SIV calmly. And for the choice of the course, tell-us-about-it We will guide you to a serious school, according to your level and your goals.
Since 2013 at Gréolières, the team Ailéments We train autonomous pilots and accompany them in their progress. We do not do SIV, but we know Prepare it there — active piloting, turbulent air, wing management — and I will advise you on a quality training course.
State-certified instructors (DEJEPS and BEES), progressive pedagogy, safety first: over 1291 5/5 reviews confirm it.
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Definition, prerequisites, process, sites, budget: concrete answers.
SIV means Simulation of a Flight Incident. Above a body of water and surrounded by it, incidents are deliberately caused (closures, stalling, autorotation) to learn how to handle them. The goal is safety: acquiring the reflexes that save lives, better understanding one's wing, and gaining confidence. This is the extension of active steering.
For independent pilots, after the pilot certificate: at ease on take-off and landing, steep turns, a suitable wing. On the rules side: a valid FFVL licence, certified equipment and a recently repacked reserve parachute. It is not a course for beginners.
We are flying above the water (lake or sea). You wear a life jacket and an instructor guides you by radioa boat It recovers in a few seconds, and each flight is filmed and then debriefed in video. We progress from one maneuver to the next, from the simplest to the most complex.
Both. The Lake Annecy is the French reference. On the edge of Mediterranean, the site of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin It allows for work on the sea, near our territory of the Alpes-Maritimes. Other bodies of water (Serre-Ponçon, Lake Léman) also host training sessions. The most important aspect is the quality of the guidance provided.
Generally 220 to 230 € per day and per person, for two to three days, boat, life jacket and video debriefing included. Travel and accommodation come on top, and the season is often limited to spring and autumn. Also plan for a reserve repack and a suitable wing.
No: the SIV requests a dedicated device above the water that we do not have. But we will provide it to you. Let's prepare at advanced training course and we to you We advise to choose a good course — for example Fly Safe in Annecy, or the site of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the Mediterranean Sea. Get in touch with us.
Four landmarks before starting out.
We provoke incidents above the water to learn how to handle them. We come out of it with some Reflexes that save lives and real trust.
After the pilot certificate, with a active steering already solid, an adapted wing and recent repairs. Not a training course to start off with.
Qualified instructor, small group, responsive boat, video debriefing, adapted website. Expect 220 to 230 € per day. The quality of the coaching takes precedence over everything else.
We do not do SIV, but our courses You prepare for it and we guide you towards a good course (Annecy, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin).
Before flying over water, ensure your basic skills are up to par: active piloting, turbulent air, wing management. We prepare you, then recommend the SIV course that suits you.
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