When you understand mountain air, the wild places become your playground.
Greg Hamerton, Chief Instructor
Learning at a high level
Mountains dominate the landscape and dictate the airflow. For a beginner pilot, they can seem confusing and dangerous. But they become your playground once you understand the principles of flight planning and the physics of anabatic flows. The in-flight demonstrations help you to visualise the patterns. The things you learn about mountain flying in this course will put you in the pilot's seat.
Recognise the crux points
and find the easy way
See the dangers
and avoid the classic mistakes
Have a plan
by studying your options
Lessons Plan
At home in the MOUNTAINS
A comprehensive plan for safely flying a paraglider in the mountains. Learn how to find good weather, the right site, the right time, and how to use the terrain to best effect.
(59:00)
Questions? Answers.
Big. Scary. Mountains! Enjoy this livestream replay all about flying your paraglider in jagged terrain.
(63:00)
LEESIDE: How to be safe!
Can you fly on the wrong side of the mountain? What about the rotor and turbulence? Join Greg as he explores the LEESIDE on his paraglider and explains the rules for doing it safely.
(07:31)
Mountain AIR
The seminal tutorial on the principles of mountain flying and valley systems. Join me in the French Pyrenees for a demonstration of reading the terrain and anticipating the danger zones.
(21:30)
Landing in VALLEY WIND
A classic alpine valley system generates a strong valley wind. Here's how to set up for a clean landing.
(07:06)
My ALPS system
When I go paragliding in the ALPS, I like to fly new places. Here's the complete system I rely on to keep me safe! In this extended edition you'll get detailed guidance throughout the flight in the French Alps.
(21:44)
Getting the best of the ALPS
A member's livestream about keeping travel plans flexible, options for getting more Alpine airtime and adopting the freedom mindset.
(37:22)
Paragliding SWITZERLAND
Locarno offers a great start for everyone from beginners to cross country pilots. Join Andy Rohr for a pilot's guide to flying in the Swiss Alps.
(09:28)
Sucked up to 24,333 ft!
Watch an exceptional survival story as we investigate a terrifying mountain flight … into a thunderstorm. This is way beyond the limits!
(11:33)
The Thunderstorm DEBRIEF
A candid discussion with Ben Lewis on his experience of paragliding in a thunderstorm. Find out what really happened inside the cloud, and how he coped.
(17:53)
How to fly PORTERVILLE
Learn some key principles about the weather, the terrain and getting the best out of your flying here, including key dangers and simple safety rules you can apply to any mountain ridge in thermic conditions.
(30:00)
Mountain XC 1
A live cross country flying series complete with sketchy bits. Based around a record attempt in the Western Cape mountains in South Africa, covering many fundamental flying skills and strategies for being successful and safe when doing XC flying in the mountains.
(1:17:00)
Mountain XC 2
Join me for another coaching series on MOUNTAIN XC FLYING. I'll take you to a new flying site, give you some first-person-view airtime, and we'll puzzle our way together on a long XC flight through the mountains.
(1:02:00)
XC COACHING
Learn from member's XC exploits. Fly over the Spanish hills near Algodonales, do some big transitions in the Alps, getting pinned in the wind in Slovenia, and finally blaze a spectacular triangle flight from Koessen, Austria.
(1:00:56)
Mountain HIGH
Paragliding perfection in AUSTRIA. Complete a triangle through big mountain terrain, gather tips and inspiration, and end your course on a high.
Know your stuff?
Watch all the videos, work on the practical tasks and get over 80% in the MOUNTAIN FLYING test, to earn your FLIGHT LEVEL 12 certificate!
Start building CONFIDENCE
Become an academy member and get instant access to all the FLIGHT LEVEL courses ... and more!
Get the course
Who is it for?
This course is for fairly advanced pilots! It's best to complete Levels 1-11 before this course, because you need all the technical skills to support you in the air. It is best suited to pilots with at least 20 hours of airtime and well-developed skills ... but you can take it earlier if you've mastered all the basics. It helps you become confident in the mountain environment, with many flight demonstrations in different regions.
How does the course work?
This is designed as a week-long course. but you can take as long as you want. Every day, try to work through some new video lessons, but don't rush! Take the time to absorb each key skill. You can return to any lesson at any time thereafter.
What is included in the course?
Over 8 hours of mountain flying training! There’s also a task sheet for you to develop your skills, and a test at the end of the course to see if you can apply the concepts to common problems. If you get more than 80% you can earn your FLIGHT LEVEL 12 certificate!
Get your lessons anywhere
Accessible on all devices including iOS, Android, MACs and PCs. You can even Cast to your TV!
Most of the lessons are subtitled in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
Structured learning
Continue your journey upwards through the Flight Levels system. MOUNTAIN FLYING builds on Levels 1-11 as you take your cross country strategies and map them onto the alpine environment.
Go the distance
Get over 8 hours of video training that will improve your decisions and give you a sense of freedom in mountains