Learn to fly a paraglider
Do you want to discover this wonderful activity that is paragliding, train yourself until you obtain your license, enhance your flying skills, perfect your take-off technique, improve your feelings in thermals, all in a safe environment that listens to your needs? Lazulibre paragliding school supports you in all stages of your progression. Safety is our priority, pleasure is our guide, transformation is our goal.
ContactTraining curriculum
From pedestrian to pilot. Here are the main stages to become a paragliding pilot.
Discovery day
Your first sensations
✔️Tandem flight included✔️
CHF 320.-
This fully customized session allows you to do your first maneuvers under the supervision of an instructor. You will discover the equipment and do the first exercises on a gentle slope. To end this day: a tandem paragliding flight, with educational exercises and dual controls.
- Individualized formula
- Theoretical introduction
- Knowledge of the equipment
- Basic notions and ground exercises
- Tandem flight with dual controls
- Equipment on loan
Introduction
course
objective your first
solo flight
CHF 220.- / day
During this course we combine theory and practice in order to acquire the basic gestures for a successful takeoff. Throughout the course, you progress at your own pace by making short flights on a gentle slope. The supervision is provided by a qualified instructor with radio assistance. The course culminates in your first solo flight, alone under the paraglider.
- 1 to 2 days extendable as needed
- All the basics
- Radio assistance
- Slope practice with first takeoffs
- Equipment on loan
- Level for the first solo flight
Educational tandem flight
A preview of your first solo flight
CHF 100.- / flight
As an integral part of the Discovery day, the educational tandem flight gives you a nice glimpse of what your first solo flight will be like. It is possible to do more tandem flights during the Initiation course. During this flight, you are the pilot. We focus on your sensations, we practice a few maneuvers such as turning, pitching, rollling that you will have to practice during your first solo flight. And finally, we build the approach together for landing.
- In flight maneuvers
- Construction of the approach
- Personal feelings
- Debriefing after landing
Progression and License
During the progression phase you will practice a whole range of exercises in flight in order to acquire the piloting skills allowing you to fly safely and eventually pass the final exam.
With us, no classroom or Powerpoint, but explanations and theoretical coaching always related to your practice.
No package or obligation to purchase equipment. Freedom in its purest form.
CHF 40.- / flight. (shuttle not included)
- In-flight exercises
- Exam preparation
- Equipment rental
- At your own pace
- Theoretical coaching
- Thermal flights
- Discovery of different sites
- Ski flight
- Travel
Autonomy and thermals
The goal is to make you autonomous in your practice and independent in your decision-making regarding the weather, the choice of the site, the choice of the take-off point and the flight strategy to spend a maximum of time in the air in safety.
The principle is simple: The pilots registered for the day who decide, as if you were going to fly with friends. The instructor is there to supervise, ensure the security, provide content, propose ideas, guide on the radio if necessary, etc…
We discuss each person’s desires, the weather conditions and we will fly in the chosen site together. If the conditions change, we move with the bus. If the weather turns bad, we retreat to the workshop and spend time on equipment-related issues: checking a glider, repairs, standards, reserve parachute, etc.
CHF 40.- per flight + 10.- per bus trip, minimum 100.- per day.
- Weather briefing
- Choosing a site in consultation
- Work on decision-making
- Support towards autonomy
- Human factor
Frequently Asked Questions
The school is based in Lausanne.
However, our preferred flying site is in Villars-sur-Ollon at a place called en Curnaux.
This is where we organize discovery days, intruduction courses and training flights.
The meeting point is usually at the sports center in Ollon (VD).
We sometimes travel to other flying sites, especially during the “Autonomy and Thermals” sessions.
You can start training at 14 years old and you can get your license at 16
No, you don’t have to be an athlete. But you have to like being in movement. And above all, you have to be motivated! The first few days can be quite demanding mentally, emotionally and physically. There is no weight limit. Each size of wing is approved for a given load and adapted for each pilot.
After the initiation course, you will have to make at least 50 flights on 5 different sites under the supervision of an instructor as well as at least 1 autonomous flight. The license is obtained by passing a theoretical exam (MCQ) covering 5 different subjects as well as a practical exam.
Once you have your license, you can fly solo with a paraglider without the supervision of an instructor in Switzerland and abroad (subject to local regulations). It is valid forever. There is no minimum number of hours to do per year. In short, freedom!
As soon as you feel ready and we judge that you have the level (after 2 to 3 days of initiation normally) you will be able to make your first solo flight. Before takeoff, we will do a briefing during which we will establish the expectations for this flight. There will be an assistant to coach you at takeoff and an instructor at landing who will guide you by radio throughout the entire flight. We will choose a time of day (usually in the morning) when the weather conditions are particularly calm.
The following flights will take place in the same way as the first one with instructors at takeoff and landing. During each flight, you will perform some exercises adapted to your level. So your progress will be done step by step and at your own pace. The goal is to acquire the experience and skills necessary to fly alone safely.
All the information and guidelines can be found on the website of the Swiss Free Flight Federation. We will have the opportunity to discuss this during your training.
Yes, you must be insured in the event of non-professional accidents. Normally, swiss accident insurance covers paragliding activity. Check with yours to confirm.
Concerning civil liability insurance (CL) in the event of damage to third parties, it is mandatory as soon as you fly with your own equipment. Before you are convered by the school.
Here is an example of a minimum budget to get the license:
- - Discovery day: 320.-
- - Introductory course - 1 day: 220.-
- - 50 training flights: 2000.-
- - Transport on site: 500.-
- - Exams: 250.-
- - TOTAL: CHF 3290.-
The equipment includes a wing adapted to your weight, a harness adapted to your size, a reserve parachute and a helmet. During your first flights you will be able to use the school’s equipment which is available for rent (CHF 30.-/flight). This is a good way to test different models. Once you have a better idea of what you like, it will be time to get your own equipment. New, this equipment costs maximum CHF 5,000.- It can also be purchased second-hand.
The school is open every weekend and sometimes during the week. Information is transmitted by Whatsapp group. The flying days are announced at the beginning of the week and confirmed the evening before. We obviously only fly if the weather conditions are favorable. The meeting point is often early in the morning to enjoy the first flight in calm air. The meeting place will depend on the site where we will fly.
Usually we will meet at the sports center in Ollon (VD).