Wind games and thermal

From May 19th to 23rd, 2024: 650 €
From June 23rd to 27th, 2024: 650 €
From September 8th to 12th, 2024: 650€

These training sessions are aimed at autonomous pilots in calm conditions, who have their own equipment and a minimum initial pilot license. This cycle consists of two levels of training:

– “Wind Games – First Thermals”: For pilots autonomous in takeoff and landing but with little or no experience in thermals/dynamics, aiming to learn how to extend their flights to safely approach “stronger” conditions.

– “Wind Games – Thermal Progression”: For pilots who already have their own equipment and are capable of staying in the air but want to deepen their technique/knowledge to build solid foundations for cross-country flying and obtaining the pilot license.

The main difference with the training of the green cycle (initiation, progression, performance) lies in the practice schedules and intensity. These stages take place over full days, and the flight times are calculated to optimize the best thermals or dynamics flying slots. Evening flights are included (they are optional in the progression stage).

– Groundwork will focus on managing the wing in strong winds.

– In-flight exercises will focus on learning/improving active piloting and incident management, as well as increasing performance in thermals/dynamics.

– You will have the opportunity to try out equipment during the stage, such as lightweight wings and harnesses.

– Various theoretical topics will be covered, including aerological/meteorological analysis. Different items from the blue cycle of the pilot’s passport will be addressed, as well aspreparation/passing time for the pilot license.

Ground Skills:

Prerequisite: Being an autonomous pilot in calm conditions, capable of flying without supervision during takeoff and landing phases.

Wind Games – First Thermals:

Prerequisite: Being autonomous in reverse launching in calm conditions (less than 15 km/h). Objective: Develop autonomy in techniques for launching in the wind.

• Manage low and high speeds
• Static reverse launching (without movement, kneeling/sitting, wind 15-20 km/h)
• Turnover face launching
• Autonomous face launching
• Maintain the wing in maximum traction window
• Collapse in strong wind
• Inflate in strong wind
• Wind descent during inflation
• Manage the wing at the edge of the wind window

Wind Games – Thermal Progression:

Having worked on various skills from the First Thermals wind games stage. Objective: Autonomy in takeoff in all conditions. Pilot license is possible upon completion of the stage if the level attained is sufficient.

• Ground stall practice
• Pitch control on the ground
• Backward inflation
• Turnover on the ground (½ turn)
• Face launching exercise
• Cobra inflation
• Cobra launch
• Wing control after landing in strong wind

Flight Skills:

Wind Games – First Thermals:

Be autonomous in approach to a known landing field in calm conditions and master rapid descent with ears. Objective: Master the basic piloting skills required for safe flying in thermal conditions.

• Roll control
• Managing pronounced pitch
• Creating a thermal prospecting flight plan autonomously
• Pitch management in thermal conditions using rear risers
• 360-degree flat turn after pronounced pitch
• Thermal turns
• Pitch management using rear risers
• Navigate along a relief using brakes
• Navigate along a relief using rear risers
• Fly in dynamic lift
• Landing accuracy within 15m
• Thermal prospecting and climbing

Wind Games – Thermal Progression:

Prerequisite: Having experience in thermal or dynamic flying. Objective: Manage the wing in all types of conditions. Pilot license is possible upon completion of the stage if the level attained is sufficient.

• Two-line closure management
• Building an approach in strong wind
• Improvise an approach to an unknown field
• Climbing to a ceiling
• Landing accuracy within 5m
• Performing a speed increase during rounding
• Exiting accelerating rotations (90° and 180°)
• Dissipate 45° flat turn
• 45° flat turn with outer ears
• Dynamic turn with pitch speed increase
• Dynamic turn on a roll inversion
• Low-amplitude wing chaining

Theoretical Knowledge:

Wind Games – First Thermals:

• Aerological traps
• Pilot position
• Active piloting
• Closure management
• Thermals
• Thermal exploitation
• Priorities in thermal/dynamic conditions
• Air mass stability/instability
• Confluences
• Dynamic lift
• Thermal flying weather points

Wind Games – Thermal Progression:

Prerequisite: Knowing the various theoretical lessons from the First Thermals wind games stage. Objective: Learn the elements necessary for the pilot license exam and basics of cross-country flying. Pilot license exam possible if the level attained is sufficient.

• Mental: Rational/irrational fears and commitment concept
• Reserve parachute packing
• Building a thermal flight plan
• Foehn effect in Tarentaise
• Angle of attack and gust influence
• Regulations, aeronautical charts
• Speed polar
• Stall
• Alpine dumping
• Relief navigation
• Setting up on a ridge

7 students maximum per group, new equipment per student (helmet, harness, parachute and paraglider), recent vehicles in good condition.

In summer, we use the ski lifts to get to the take-off sites, to limit the number of cars on the roads and reduce our carbon footprint, as well as for the comfort of our students.