GlideLab — Paragliding Reference
Rev. A · 2025
Free Flight,
Documented.
Technical documentation, meteorological analysis, equipment and training guides for paragliding pilots at every level.
Training
Flight Training Guides
From ground handling for beginners to SIV and XC navigation for P3. Each guide maps to an APPI certification level.
Explore guides →
Meteorology
Atmospheric Analysis
Synoptic systems, thermal dynamics, coastal sea breeze, mountain waves. Skew-T, METAR, RASP — the complete reference.
Read meteo →
Flying Sites
19 Sites Worldwide
Greece, France, Spain, Turkey, Nepal, Pakistan, USA — indexed by pilot level and condition type.
View sites →
Launch sequence
Thermalling
Alpine XC
Aerial perspective
02 — Pilot Training Manual
Flight Training Guides
Six in-depth guides covering every stage of pilot development, from your first ground handling session to SIV and XC flying. Click any guide to read in full.
REF 01.A Beginner
Ground Handling & Kiting
Inflation techniques in nil-wind and cross-wind conditions. Forward and reverse launch. Reading canopy behaviour before committing to flight.
REF 01.B Beginner
First Solos & Landing Accuracy
Approach patterns, PLF, spot landing drills, circuit planning and consistent final approach speed management.
REF 02.A Intermediate
Thermalling & Coring Technique
Finding thermal sources, entry timing, bank angle optimisation, multi-glider etiquette and reading cumulus development.
REF 02.B Intermediate
Cross-Country Navigation
Route planning with terrain and airspace overlays, XCSoar configuration, glide ratio management and field selection en route.
REF 03.A Advanced
SIV — Simulation in Vol
Asymmetric collapses, full stall recovery, spiral dive exit, big ears. Conducted over water with boat support. Mandatory before P3 endorsement.
REF 04.A All levels
Go / No-Go Decision Protocol
Systematic pre-flight assessment, METAR interpretation, wind gradient analysis and convective instability indicators.
03 — Certification System
APPI Pilot Certification
The Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructors defines an internationally recognised progression framework. Each level builds mandatory prerequisites.
Student
Student / P0
Entry · Ground-based training
Inflation, ground handling, kiting in varying winds, tandem flights for orientation, first solo hops on gentle slopes under direct instructor supervision.
Required: 5–10 days · No prerequisites
Pilot 1
Pilot 1 / P1
Basic · Autonomous solo flight
Autonomous flight at approved sites, landing accuracy, basic meteorological assessment, circuit planning, airspace awareness. EN-A or low EN-B wing required.
Required: 15–20 flight hours · P0 completed
Pilot 2
Pilot 2 / P2
Intermediate · Cross-country endorsed
Thermal soaring, ridge soaring, cross-country navigation, full meteorological competency, airspace rules, navigation instruments. EN-B wing standard.
Required: 50+ flight hours · P1 · Written exam
Pilot 3
Pilot 3 / P3
Advanced · SIV mandatory
Full SIV course completion, advanced meteorological analysis, high-altitude and expedition flying, ability to brief other pilots. EN-C or EN-D wing competency.
Required: 200+ hours · P2 · SIV certificate
Instructor
Instructor I1–I3
Professional · Full teaching authority
Complete pedagogical training, risk assessment methodology, school organisation, national civil aviation authority liaison. Three sub-levels of teaching scope.
Required: 300+ hours · P3 · Instructor course
04 — Video Library
Educational Videos
Curated educational content from leading pilots and instructors worldwide. Click any card to watch on YouTube.
Beginner & Technique
Ground Handling · Beginner
Paragliding Ground Handling — Getting Started (Fly With Greg)
Windy Takeoff · Beginner
Ground Handling & Windy Takeoff Tips
Windy Takeoff · Beginner
The Secret to Efficient Thermalling — Full Tutorial
XC & Cross Country
XC Tips · P2–P3
Paragliding XC Flying Tips — A to B with Commentary
XC Flight · Italy
Paragliding XC & Talk — Bassano Italy (Feb 2024)
XC Epic · Alps
Epic XC Flight — 222 km FAI from Speikboden (2025)
Destinations & Inspiration
Destination · Chamonix
Paragliding Vallée Blanche — Chamonix Oct 2024
XC Route · Alps
Chamonix to Annecy & Back — 125 km Alpine XC
Destination · Annecy
Col de la Forclaz to Chamonix — Lake Annecy Adventure
Nepal & Asia
Destination · Chamonix
Paragliding in Pokhara Nepal — Sarangkot (2025)
Destination · Chamonix
Paragliding over Pokhara — 1800 m High (Jan 2024)
SIV · Italy
SIV IDRO 2023 — El Speedo Lake Course [4K]
05 — Meteorological Reference
Meteorology & Atmospheric Analysis
A pilot who reads the sky correctly is a safe pilot. Synoptic analysis, thermal dynamics, coastal effects and mountain meteorology.
Typical conditions by region
Resources
06 — Flying Sites Register
Recommended Flying Sites
19 sites across Greece, Europe, Asia and the USA — indexed by pilot level, elevation and predominant conditions. Always obtain local pilot briefing before first flight at any new site.
| Site | Country | Elevation | Level | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KaristosGR · Evia | Greece | 780 m | P1P2 | Sea breeze / Ridge | Stable afternoon sea breeze. Flat LZ. Good first XC terrain. |
| ParnassosGR · Boeotia | Greece | 1940 m | P2P3 | Thermals / XC | Strong thermals. Multiple launch points. XC potential to Athens. |
| OlympusGR · Macedonia | Greece | 2917 m | P3EXP | Alpine / Complex | Requires deep meteorological competency. Rapid condition changes. |
| Annecy — PlanfaitFR · Haute-Savoie | France | 1040 m | P2 | Thermals / Lake | World-standard site. Ideal SIV location over lake. |
| Chamonix — BréventFR · Haute-Savoie | France | 3840 m | P3EXP | Alpine / High alt. | Extreme weather risk. Cable car access. Fast-build XC conditions. |
| Ölüdeniz — BabadağTR · Muğla | Turkey | 1960 m | P1P2 | Sea breeze / Thermals | Large LZ. Blue Lagoon landform. 2h from Greece. |
| AgerES · Catalonia | Spain | 880 m | P2P3 | Thermals / XC | Pre-Pyrenean ridges with powerful thermals. World Cup host. |
| Roldán — LorcaES · Murcia | Spain | 650 m | P1P2 | Sea breeze / Ridge | Mediterranean sea breeze. Popular winter training destination. |
| Pyrenees — LarunsFR / ES · Border | France / Spain | 2800 m | EXP | Alpine / Wave / XC | Route: Laruns–Gavarnie–Canfranc. Outstanding XC for experts. |
| Nanga ParbatPK · Gilgit-Baltistan | Pakistan | 3300 m | EXP | High altitude / Expedition | Extreme destination. 8126 m backdrop. Expedition-level logistics. |
| Skardu ValleyPK · Gilgit-Baltistan | Pakistan | 2438 m | P3EXP | High alt. / Wave | Dramatic Karakoram setting. Exceptional wave soaring. |
| Pokhara — SarangkotNP · Gandaki | Nepal | 1590 m | P1P2 | Valley thermals / Ridge | Most visited site in Asia. Annapurna views. Oct–May optimal. |
| Mustang — Lo ManthangNP · Upper Mustang | Nepal | 3840 m | EXP | High alt. / Expedition XC | Remote Tibetan border plateau. XC routes over 150 km documented. |
| Woodrat MountainUS · Oregon | USA | 1340 m | P2P3 | Ridge / Thermals | Premier XC site in Pacific Northwest. US Nationals host. |
| Dunlap — Sierra NevadaUS · California | USA | 1520 m | P2P3 | Thermals / XC | Strong Sierra Nevada thermals. Flights up to 100 km. |
| Lookout MountainUS · Tennessee | USA | 670 m | P1P2 | Ridge / Training | Home of the first US paragliding school. Well-organised site. |
| Point of the MountainUS · Utah | USA | 1460 m | P1P2 | Ridge / Teaching | One of the most active sites in North America. Year-round flyable. |
| Bir BillingIN · Himachal Pradesh | India | 2440 m | P2P3 | Himalayan thermals | World Paragliding Championship 2015. Powerful thermals. |
| KagbeniNP · Mustang Valley | Nepal | 2810 m | P3 | Valley wind / XC | Kali Gandaki gorge — deepest on earth. XC route toward Jomsom. |
| Interlaken — BeatenbergCH · Bern | Switzerland | 1130 m | P1P2 | Thermals / Ridge | Classic beginner-to-intermediate site above Lake Thun. Cable car access. Spectacular Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau backdrop. |
| Davos — PischaCH · Graubünden | Switzerland | 2483 m | P3EXP | Alpine / XC | High alpine launch at 2483 m. Reliable thermals in a glacially carved valley. Gateway to long XC routes toward the Italian border. |
| Interlaken — MännlichenCH · Bern | Switzerland | 2230 m | P2P3 | Alpine thermals / XC | Gondola access to 2230 m launch. Strong summer thermals, organised XC routes. Part of the classic Berner Oberland XC triangle. |
| Bassano del GrappaIT / AT · Border | Italy / Austria | 1775 m | P2 | Thermals / XC | Pre-Alpine site on the Italy–Austria border. Consistent thermals, large LZ in the valley. Popular with Austrian and Italian XC pilots. |
| Kössen — UnterbergAT · Tyrol | Austria | 960 m | P2P3 | Thermals / XC | One of Austria's most popular XC sites. Reliable thermals in the Inn valley. The Kössen Paragliding World Cup event returns regularly. |
| Zell am See — SchmittenhöheAT · Salzburg | Austria | 1965 m | P2 | Alpine thermals | Cable car access to 1965 m. 360° view of the Hohe Tauern. Well-organised site with clear airspace structure. Good progression site. |
| St. André — SisteronFR · Alpes-de-Haute-Provence | France | 1200 m | P2P3 | Thermals / XC | The Durance valley site famous for PWC events. Powerful thermals, long XC potential south into Provence. Warm conditions from April. |
| Laragne-MontéglinFR · Hautes-Alpes | France | 900 m | P2 | Thermals / XC | Buoux ridge and Durance valley system. Reliable summer thermals, intermediate-friendly. Good stepping stone before St. André. |
| Col du Molard — AravisFR · Haute-Savoie | France | 1450 m | P2P3 | Ridge / Thermals | Above the Aravis range, part of the Annecy–Chamonix XC corridor. Good thermal trigger on the south-facing ridge. Quieter than Planfait. |
| Paphos — Troodos foothillsCY · Paphos district | Cyprus | 750 m | P1P2 | Sea breeze / Ridge | Cyprus's most active paragliding area. Sea breeze from Akamas peninsula meets ridge lift. Warm conditions October through April. |
| Limassol — Troodos south slopeCY · Limassol district | Cyprus | 820 m | P1P2 | Thermals / Sea breeze | South-facing slopes above Limassol coast. Reliable thermal trigger on clear winter mornings. Short drive from beach to launch. |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen — WankDE · Bavaria | Germany | 1780 m | P2P3 | Alpine thermals / XC | Cable car to 1780 m above the Inn valley. Classic Bavarian alpine flying. Gateway to Zugspitze massif XC routes. |
| Grünten — AllgäuDE · Bavaria | Germany | 1738 m | P1P2 | Ridge / Thermals | The most popular beginner-to-intermediate site in southern Germany. Consistent conditions, excellent school infrastructure, large LZ. |
| Schwarzwald — KandelDE · Baden-Württemberg | Germany | 1241 m | P2 | Ridge / Thermals | Black Forest ridge soaring. Reliable NW wind days. Accessible site for pilots based in SW Germany, France and Switzerland. |
07 — Equipment Manufacturers Index
Equipment Index
A classified register of manufacturers. Click any row to visit the manufacturer's website.
| Manufacturer | Origin | Categories | Range focus | Website |
|---|
08 — Library & Articles
Reading & Research
Technical articles, equipment guides, meteorology deep-dives and destination reports — written for GlideLab. Click any article to read in full.
Safety
Safety · Analysis
The go / no-go decision: why experienced pilots make the same errors as beginners
Cognitive bias, plan continuation error and authority gradient in paragliding incidents — a systematic review of 50 documented accidents.
Safety · Equipment
Reserve parachutes: certification, deployment and repacking
Steerable vs round reserves, EN 12491, repacking intervals, handle access geometry and what deployment speed means in a real emergency.
Safety · Protocol
The pre-flight checklist: a step-by-step system for every pilot
Wing inspection, riser check, harness sequence, helmet fit, variometer setup — a complete pre-flight routine that takes under four minutes.
Meteorology
Meteo · Reference
How to read a Skew-T Log-P diagram
Step-by-step interpretation of the most powerful atmospheric profiling tool available to free-flight pilots. Thermal base, CI index, wind shear at altitude.
Meteo · Tools
Windy, SkySight, RASP: which forecasting tool for which situation
A practical comparison of the three platforms used by XC pilots worldwide, with recommended pre-flight workflows for each type of flying day.
Meteo · Greece
The Meltemi: flying the Aegean in summer
The July–August NW airflow that defines Aegean flying. Which sites remain usable, which to avoid, and how to read its daily strengthening pattern.
Equipment
Equipment · Buyer Guide
Buying your first wing: EN-A vs low EN-B explained
What EN certification means in practice, how aspect ratio affects handling, and what to look for in a beginner package from Ozone, Advance, Nova and others.
Equipment · Guide
Choosing your first harness: comfort, protection and pod design
Seat board vs cocoon, airbag vs foam back protector, rescue handle placement — what matters most from P1 through to XC flying.
Equipment · Review
GPS variometers in 2025: Flymaster, Naviter and Skytraxx compared
Display, battery, XCSoar integration, live tracking and price-to-feature ratio across the three main instrument platforms used by competition and XC pilots.
Destinations & Travel
Travel · Beginner–P2
Pokhara, Nepal: the complete paragliding guide
Season windows, school options, Sarangkot logistics, Fewa Lake LZ, accommodation and what a realistic progression from tandem to solo looks like here.
Travel · P2–P3
Annecy: the world's most complete paragliding destination
Planfait vs Col de la Forclaz, lake convergence thermals, SIV operators, the Cable Car triangle, and how to structure a one-week trip for maximum progression.
Travel · Expert
Chamonix for the advanced pilot: launches, XC routes and risk
Brévent, Les Grands Montets, the Chamonix–Annecy 125 km classic, airspace constraints and the specific hazards of high-altitude alpine flying.
09 — Safety Protocols
Safety Protocols
Non-negotiable rules that apply regardless of experience level or site familiarity.
PROTO-01
Pre-flight checklist
Inspect every component before every flight without exception. Glider, harness carabiners, reserve handle, speed bar, helmet, variometer. If in doubt, do not fly.
PROTO-02
Flight plan filing
Inform a ground contact of your intended route, estimated duration, and return time. Carry charged phone. Activate live tracking. Know the nearest emergency number.
PROTO-03
Site qualification
Never fly a new site without a local pilot briefing. Every site has specific hazards: rotor zones, LZ obstacles, airspace constraints, microclimate behaviour.
PROTO-04
Emergency equipment
Reserve parachute mandatory. Back protector minimum EN1621-2. Helmet EN966 certified. First aid kit. Non-negotiable at every level of experience.