Work on your piloting

Thermaling Course

Designed for P2 USHPA level and pilots that want to learn and get better in thermaling.

Thermaling course (Alpine)- APPI 3 Pilot

Our Thermalling Course is always a bit personalized and adjusted to the pilot’s opportunity areas, which are straightforwardly detected by the instructor. Some pilots might be missing one thing and some others, so we make sure the range of subjects we cover in the course, comprises the needs of everyone in the group.

The practical part of a Thermalling Course regularly starts under soft conditions, which allows the instructor to get to know each pilot’s strengths and weaknesses well, making consistent progress every day as the pilots start to fly in more demanding conditions, with a persistent focus on the particular skill you might be missing.

What makes our Thermalling Course a breakthrough in the paragliding teaching field, making it stand way above instruction programs found elsewhere, is the fact that we count on unique theory lessons that will help you easily understand complex air movement dynamics. We know it is crucial for every pilot to perfectly understand what is going on in the air to be able to fly safely. In our Thermalling Course, you will find one-of-a-kind illustrations and learning methods that you will not be able to get from any instructional book or learning source.

Course resume

The Thermalling Course is typically designed for those pilots that lacked a proper and continuous instruction program in their home schools and thus need air guidance to fly in moderate-strong thermal conditions. The main goal of the Thermalling Course is both to provide you with a solid knowledge background and to train your skills to be able to master your climbs in moderate-strong conditions.

You will learn

How thermals work
How we fly in thermals
Efficient thermaling technique
Flying in the gaggle
Descending maneuvers
Collapse management
Flying around the clouds
Theory: thermal life, types of thermals, Aerodynamics, Paragliding technique of flight, Flight Rules, Dangerous Situations, Analysis
All the tools needed for intelligent decision-making during flight

Valle de Bravo

5 days

Altitude 600+ m

Novice

Trans Alps Adventure

Detailed information

Thermaling course / thermaling clinics / guided thermal flying

Our courses are high level with a focus on active pedagogy and autonomy. You will learn as much as you can during the course. We offer double than our competition.

Course / guiding includes

An active pedagogy APPI paragliding course

with a fluent English.
Experienced instructors and assistants
5-6 days of flying under a supervision

Completing a total of at least 10 autonomous flights in calm conditions with an altitude difference of 600m.
Package training materials, flight log
The local shuttle ride to the flying sites

(takeoff and landing). You won't be using your car.
Club Penon daily membership fee
Online course material*

in progress

Course does not include

Accommodation

But we can help you find something that fits your needs.
Insurance

Our courses are done with the highest focus on safety, but if you want to come insured, you are welcome.
Food and drinks
Club Penon year membership fee
Transportation to and back Mexico City - Valle de Bravo

Can be arranged, but it is cheaper to take UBER, than we picking you up at the airport.

Course cost: US$1200
(min. 4 people)

Private guiding/teaching cost per day: US$250 (depends on availability, season)

Master 'N Chief Instructor

School owner

"Dedication, professionalism, competence, passion, knowledge, progress, guidance, safety, and fun is my motto when I teach you how to fly. Our happy students are our best advertising."

Marko Hrgetic, APPI Master instructor #14372
SIV and XC Certified APPI instructor
APPI Pedagogical comity
APPI Representative Mexico
X-Alps 2019 Athlete

More than 1000 students in the various courses.

15 years of experience

Useful Information

Tips & Resources

What kind of weather to expect

There is no like Valle de Bravo weather. Incredible 360 flyable days per year! IT IS JUST CRAZY GOOD!

We never cancel courses due to bad weather. There is NO bad weather in Valle de Bravo. When you book your course you can bet you will finish your training as scheduled. It really sucks when you travel to learn, and spend money, and then the weather messes it up.

In the dry season, November to May, we fly from early morning till the evening, and in the rainy season May to October, we fly from early morning till early afternoon.

The daily temperature throughout the year is 20-33 C. Winter nights can be cold.

Daily schedule

During the course, we try to teach you as much as you can absorb. The day is divided into practical parts and theoretical lessons. We leave early morning, in general 8 AM, and in the dry season, we come back at 8 PM. In the rainy season, we come back at 5 PM. We make a break for lunch and rest.

Necessary Gear or Clothes

Long sleeves for practice on the ground are good to have. Sun can be strong, so Sun's cream is a good choice.

For flying is good to have a windstopper jacket and if you have light gloves, take them. If you have your own helmet, bring it. Sunglasses are preferable to have due to wind and Sun.

If you have high shoes or boots, bring them. It is good to protect your ankles while we practice. Not obligatory.

If you have GoPro or camera, you can bring it.

You will not need a car, so don't rent. It is a waste of money.

IMPORTANT

We will not accept any person that:

has medical issues that can put him at any risk
people that use drugs on a regular basis
people that are under influence of alcohol
does not respect other people