Team EPDA pilots

–What is it about?

A year-long training, designed for local pilots to best support them towards cross-country flying and the confirmed pilot license.

-For whom?

The PILOT TEAM is aimed at pilots from the Tarentaise valley and its surroundings, equipped with their gear. The minimum required level is to be 100% autonomous in takeoff and landing phases with some experience in thermal flying. The PILOT TEAM is designed to quickly guide pilots towards performance but requires motivation and practice time outside of training.

–Training calendar:

10 training days spread over the year 2022/2023:

1 Saturday in September 2022
1 Saturday in October 2022
2 Saturdays in March 2023
2 Saturdays in April 2023
2 Saturdays in May 2023
2 Saturdays in June 2023

Plus one free day for planning organization and backup days, equipment check, and level evaluation flight on September 3, 2022.

Provisional Schedule

09/03/2022: Training presentation day.

This day, offered by the organization, will be dedicated to the presentation of the training and defining general and individual objectives. It will start with a presentation of the trainees and the instructors. It will possibly allow changing the dates of the schedule by mutual agreement with the whole group. An evaluative flight will be organized.

09/17/2022: Thermal and certification day

Local thermal flights organized and exercises aiming at individual progression in thermals

A session (Theoretical and practical) of the pilot’s certification will be organized for non-certified pilots.

(If unsuccessful, a catch-up session may be organized on a day outside of pilot team)

10/01/2022:

Day focused on “group flying” with local flight and soaring outing (Naves, Petit St Bernard, others)

10/15/2022: Possible backup day.

03/11/2023: Post-Winter reprise flight.

Reprise flight aiming to do a maximum of “thermal volume” and possibly work on re-landing at takeoff.

03/18/2023: Bozel outing

Thermal flights in the Bozel valley to get to know the neighboring valley.

03/25/2023: Possible backup day.

04/01/2023: Cross-country outing to St Hilaire du Touvet.

Cross-country outing with retrieval at St Hilaire du Touvet to work on route planning.

04/22/2023: Annecy cross-country outing.

Cross-country outing with retrieval in Annecy on the theme of “flying on busy sites”

04/29/2023: Backup day

05/06/2023: Cross-country day.

Cross-country day with takeoff retrieval in the valley.

05/13/2023: Strong wind day

Local flight and soaring outing (Naves, Petit St Bernard, others). The objective of the day is strong wind technique work.

06/03/2023: Cross-country day.

Cross-country day with takeoff retrieval in the valley.

06/10/2023: Backup day

06/17/2023: Cross-country day.
Cross-country day with takeoff retrieval in the valley

A theoretical session for the BPC will be organized.

06/24/2023: Backup day

This schedule has been designed to best adapt to seasonality. The order of outings and topics covered will be adjusted according to weather conditions.

–Objectives:

-Gain ease in thermal and wind conditions.

-Learn to exploit the various sites of the valley and its surroundings throughout the seasons.

-Connect these sites in flight and break out of the usual patterns.

-Deepen knowledge of the valley’s specific aerology during different seasons.

-Progress in piloting to evolve safely.

-Follow-up and maintenance of equipment: glider/harness evolution, rescue: folding/use, bridle length adjustments…

-Obtaining certifications (pilot or confirmed if the level allows).

-Optimize positioning and routing.

-Optimize the use of instruments for navigation.

-Acquire the necessary basics to better approach competition.

-Surround yourself and create links with motivated pilots to progress.

Training cost: €650 per person.