Beginners' XC Training in Greifenburg

From thermal flying to your first cross-country flight

You can already fly in thermals, but as soon as it comes to leaving the local area, things get exciting, don’t they?

That’s exactly what this training is designed for.

At the beginner’s XC training session in Greifenburg, you’ll learn step by step how to make better use of thermals, plan short flights and make safe decisions in the air.

If the weather and your current flying level are right, you can also complete your 15-km cross-country flight this week to qualify for your cross-country rating. This allows you to combine intensive training with an important step in your flying training.

  • Not with performance pressure.
  • Not along the lines of ‘higher, faster, further’.
  • But clear, easy to understand and tailored to your level.

15 km flight for the cross-country rating

For many pilots, their first 15-kilometre cross-country flight is an important milestone – but it is also precisely the moment when uncertainty often sets in:

  • When should I fly?
  • Which route makes the most sense?
  • Where can I find the nearest thermal?
  • Where can I land safely if things don’t work out?

During this training week, we’ll prepare you specifically for this. We’ll discuss the weather, the route, landing options and flight tactics before taking to the air. During the flight, you’ll receive support via radio, and afterwards we’ll analyse together what went well and where you can become even more confident.

The 15-km flight isn’t just a matter of chance, nor is it a compulsory exercise that puts you under pressure. When the conditions are right, it becomes part of your training – carefully planned, supervised and tailored to your level.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location: Greifenburg / Emberger Alm, Drau Valley, Carinthia
Duration: 5 days + 1 spare day
Participants: max. 7 pilots
Level: paragliding licence / A licence with thermal flying experience
Aim: To gain initial experience of cross-country flying
Bonus: 15-km cross-country flight available for the cross-country rating
Price: € 550,-

This training course is perfect for you if…

  • you’ve already had your first taste of thermal flying
  • want to stay longer in the air
  • you haven’t quite dared to fly away from the local area yet
  • want to go on your first short cross-country flights
  • you want to complete your 15-km cross-country flight for your cross-country rating
  • you want to prepare specifically for your cross-country licence
  • want to learn more about aviation weather, valley winds, thermals and routes
  • want to feel more confident when flying away from familiar flying areas

Even if you’re not yet an experienced thermal pilot, you’re welcome to join us. It is important that you are confident in taking off and landing on your own and that you are keen to develop your flying skills.

Preparing for your 15 km cross-country flight

If you’d like to obtain your cross-country rating, we’ll provide you with targeted support to help you prepare for your 15-km flight. Together, we’ll discuss possible routes, suitable weather windows, safe landing options and the key decisions to be made before and during the flight.

This way, the 15-km flight becomes not just a compulsory exercise, but a genuine learning experience.

  • Paragliding licence
  • Mentally and physically fit
  • GPS/ Variometer
  • Two-way radio (available to hire from us)
  • Own flying equipment
  • Gloves
  • Good spirits
  • Personalised flight instruction from a flight instructor
  • Improvements in flight techniques
  • Daily weather briefing
  • Flight area briefing
  • Radio support
  • Flight analysis of GPS data on request
  • Ground handling on request
  • Transport to the launch site
  • Take-off and landing fees vary depending on the flying site
  • Travel
  • Accommodation
  • Eat /Drinks
  • Accident insurance
  • Travel cancellation insurance

Location: Embergeralm – Greifenburg

We start in Greifenburg because it’s quite easy to get into the thermals quickly and cover some distance there. As soon as the weather turns bad or the opportunity arises to visit another flying site, the instructor will always suggest this to the group.

For your accommodation, we recommend Fliegercamp.at