Learn. Fly. Explore.
Courses & trips
From your first takeoff to your next adventure. Explore programs from schools and organizers and confirm the details directly with them.
Programs: 6
Espace 3D beginner paragliding course
Espace 3D Parapente
A four- or five-day beginner course by Espace 3D on Lake Annecy in which complete beginners make their first solo flights. The first two days are spent on the school's private training slope close by: getting to know the equipment, first inflations and short hops. After that the group flies in the calm morning air, mostly from the Col de la Forclaz launch over the lake to the Doussard landing field, with an instructor at launch and another at the landing and radio guidance; depending on progress, weather and safety there are zero to five high flights. Afternoons are for theory: flight mechanics, harness and reserve, radio failure procedure, flight planning, aerology and an introduction to meteorology. Equipment is provided by the school. The course does not yet lead to autonomy; it continues with the Progression course.
Dates from the organizer
Espace 3D cross-country course
Espace 3D Parapente
A cross-country course by Espace 3D for autonomous pilots who fly regularly in thermals and want to learn distance flying. The instructor chooses the site and the day's goal according to the pilots' level and the conditions, flies with the group and retrieves it after the flight. Each day starts with preparation: equipment check, gathering weather and aerological information, choosing the launch and strategy; the flight is followed by a debrief. Usually there is one quality flight a day. Flying takes place around Lake Annecy, in the Bauges, in the Combe de Savoie and elsewhere in Haute-Savoie; the course is demanding in energy and commitment, groups are limited to six pilots, it is paid per day and the school provides a radio.
Dates from the organizer
Espace 3D first thermals course
Espace 3D Parapente
A course by Espace 3D for pilots coming out of the Progression course who want to learn to use thermals and extend their flights. Instructors teach how to find active air, recognise areas to avoid and climb in first thermals; goals are set before each flight and theory is backed up by exercises in the air. In suitable conditions and depending on the group's level, first short cross-country hops are possible. The flying site is chosen according to conditions around Lake Annecy, in the Bauges and in the Combe de Savoie; the course can be booked for one to five days, and the go/no-go decision is made by noon the day before.
Dates from the organizer
Espace 3D hike-and-fly
Espace 3D Parapente
A course by Espace 3D that combines mountain hiking with paragliding: you walk up to the launch and fly back down. It is aimed at students who have completed a beginner course and want to learn to move safely in the mountains and prepare both the ascent and the flight: analysing weather, aerology and terrain to choose the route and launch, adapting equipment and physical effort, and building mountain autonomy. It is led by two state-qualified instructors, one of them a qualified mountain leader; the site is chosen the day before around Lake Annecy, in the Bauges, in the Combe de Savoie and elsewhere in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. The school can lend ultralight equipment, and non-flying companions can join and take a tandem flight (at most two places per day).
Dates from the organizer
Espace 3D piloting and SIV course on Lake Annecy
Espace 3D Parapente
A two- or three-day piloting and SIV course by Espace 3D, held exclusively over Lake Annecy in a dedicated area with its own landing field. A state-qualified instructor assists at the Col de la Forclaz launch, a specialist instructor guides the pilot from the boat, and every flight is filmed by a camera operator on the ground. Exercises are adapted to the pilot's level: correcting control habits, steeper turns, rapid descents and handling flight incidents. Between flights there is a briefing on site, and at the end of the day theory at the piloting centre and a detailed video debrief; videos are free. The boat stands by in case a pilot lands in the water under the reserve.
Dates from the organizer
Espace 3D progression course to autonomy
Espace 3D Parapente
A follow-up course by Espace 3D for students after a beginner course or pilots returning to flying, aimed at reaching autonomy at the level of the FFVL pilot brevet. It can be booked for one to five days, or as a ten-day pass spread over the season. Flying usually takes place in the calm morning air and, when the weather allows, in the first thermals; in the air pilots practise the manoeuvres needed to manage a flight on their own, and on the ground they work on reverse ground handling for launching in wind. Theory covers aerology and flight mechanics. Flying sites around Lake Annecy, in the Bauges and in the Combe de Savoie are chosen according to conditions; two state-qualified instructors lead the course and school equipment can be rented.
Dates from the organizer