Overseas Para-Guiding Trips - At Mahony Aviation, we realise that there are still huge gaps in a newly qualified / low airtime paraglider pilot's flying ability after he has achieved the BHPA CP (Novice) Rating - especially with regards to Alpine flying.

Overseas Para-Guiding Trips / Prices

At Mahony Aviation, we realise that there are still huge gaps in a newly qualified / low airtime paraglider pilot's flying ability after he has achieved the BHPA CP (Novice) Rating - especially with regards to Alpine flying.

Our Overseas Para-Guiding trips aim to plug that gap and give you the knowledge to help you progress safely in your flying career - whilst having fun!

Our Para-Guiding trips take place in either the Julian Alps of Western Slovenia, the Sierra Nevada region of Spain and the French Alps. We cater for all different levels of pilot from Sky Gods to Sky Dogs!! Tuition is individually focused to your specific experience and is designed to improve your flying techniques whilst building self-confidence.

Mahony Aviation have instructors with the experience and ability to teach Mountain flying AND who are insured to work outside the UK. This means that all our trips will be run by fully insured, professional BHPA Instructors.

Your Instructors have flown many of the best paragliding sites around the world in addition to having organised at least 15 successful Para-Guiding trips to Slovenia and 12 to Spain over the last 10 years.

Our CFI has successfully taken off from the Austro-German border, flown across Austria, into Switzerland and landed in Italy - in just 4 hours! He has also competed (and won!!) in numerous Alpine paragliding competitions and so has a wealth of knowledge on the flying to be had in the mountains.

We can also provide a host of alternative activities to enjoy should the weather prove fickle!

Introduction to Para-Guiding

As well as their normal equipment, pilots participating in Para-Guiding trips will be expected to have a 2-metre band radio but these are available for hire from us if you do not have one. Instruction includes pre-flight briefings on Alpine sites and weather assessment, in-flight radio instruction, debriefing sessions and lectures on basic and advanced thermalling techniques, landing field assessment and valley winds.

Our trips usually consist of a cross-country flight in the form of 'lead and follow' with one of us coaching from the air by radio. This gives you the chance to follow experienced pilots around the region and to find out what they're thinking and their decision making processes in real time.

You must be able to take-off and land-out unassisted and, of course, core a thermal - although we will be watching your technique and offering advice and assistance!

Airport transfers, transport to flying sites and retrieves are all provided as part of the package. Our trips have a maximum of 8 students and run from Saturday to Saturday inclusive of travel.

Advanced Flying

For the more experienced pilot, we will tailor each trip to individual needs and desires to ensure that you get the most out of your airtime and value for money. Rapid descent techniques, dealing with turbulence and deflations, theory on speeds-to-fly, introduction to competition flying, longer XCs and flying in more challenging terrain and conditions - whilst still staying safe at all times - are all the bread and butter of these exciting trips.

Why not get together with some friends or club members of a similar ability and send us an email with your aspirations. We will ring you straight back for a chat and a package deal that you will not be able to resist!