Organisation profile

Swissgliders

• School

Swissgliders starts training in Gwatt near Thun. Its one-day Schnupperkurs introduces equipment, launch and landing theory and first short flights on a training slope, ending with a debrief. Equipment hire and transport to the slope from Thun are included.

The published four-day Grundkurs plan assigns the first three days to ground preparation and the fourth to initial high flights. The programme includes two to four high flights with radio guidance. Students take the school’s theory test before their first high flight. Complete equipment, including a reserve parachute, helmet and radio, is supplied; video analysis is used when needed.

The Brevetkurs follows completion of the basic course. High flights are generally organised on two days a week, with a morning weather briefing, individual flight task and feedback after landing. The package includes unlimited high flights over thirteen months, while equipment and travel to the flying area or launch are listed separately. The pathway includes preparation for theory and practical examinations.