I provide clear explanations, detailed demonstrations and student training examples so you can learn from realtime instruction and immerse yourself in the ground control environment.
Greg Hamerton, Chief Instructor
Why take the GROUND CONTROL course?
It's the most comprehensive training available online. During the 6 hours of specialised videos you'll learn everything you need to know to master your paraglider on the ground, with a special focus on strong wind control.
Be in command
Know how to control the wing
Understand the physics
So you and your wing can work together
Feel the wing
without needing to watch it
Lessons Plan
Introduction
Welcome to Flight Level 2! What’s in the GROUND CONTROL course? How does it work?
(2:20)
Ground ZERO
Where to go, what to use, how to prepare your gear, and perform the basic moves. Perfect for first-timers.
(22:00)
KILLING IT
Discover methods to bring your wing down in strong wind.
(11:30)
TWIST IT OUT
See how to remove unwanted riser twists while staying connected.
(4:00)
DEPOWERING
Study the A/C technique and learn alternative methods to depower your wing.
(22:00)
GROUNDHOG DAY
Learn the best exercises to develop ground control skills that are relevant, and prepare you for launching and flying well.
(47:25)
GROUND HERO
Watch my students learn the techniques in a training demonstration.
(30:06)
FLAT CHALLENGES
Learn how to set up your own ground handling course for really effective training.
(13:43)
Launch FEELING
Take simple steps to improve your feeling of what the wing is doing before takeoff and develop a great launch stance that will keep you in control.
(08:00)
Find your STALL POINT
Learn how to feel the stall point approaching and how to avoid it.
(08:38)
Stall point TRAINING HOUR
A question and answer session to build a greater depth of understanding about the stall point exercise.
(51:56)
TAME THE COBRA
The COBRA launch is a method of launching your paraglider from the side so that it doesn’t drag you so much in strong wind. Let's practice the COBRA on a flat field, so when you need it, you’ve mastered the method.
(10:30) Extended edition
GROUND CONTROL: Solved
Everyone has the same problems with paragliders. They are powerful! Let's discuss solutions to the things that often go wrong.
(43:50)
GROUND CONTROL: Q&A
Further discussion of selected ground handling challenges and the best solutions.
(24:25)
GROUND SCHOOL
Build your ground handling skills as you watch over my shoulder during a coaching session.
(49:00)
How to KITE UPHILL
Learn the best way to FLY back up the hill. Lazy? No, just smart!
(16:57)
STRONG WIND expert
Finish off with a condensed masterclass covering all the key concepts in gusty conditions on a small trainer.
(14:12)
Course summary ... and TEST!
Here’s what you’ve learned. Now put your knowledge up against the visual puzzles!
(2:37)
Know your stuff?
Watch all the videos, work on the practical tasks and get over 80% in the GROUND CONTROL test, to earn your FLIGHT LEVEL 2 certificate!
Who is it for?
This course is for everyone who wants to improve their ground handling. Just like the Fundamentals course, you could do this before your first day at paragliding school, during your training, or after a break from flying, to refresh your skills. Paramotor pilots can also benefit a lot from all these videos. If you’re learning to fly on your own, you definitely don’t want to skip this course!
How does the course work?
This is a week-long course. Every day you'll watch about an hour of video lessons. This gives you time to absorb each key skill. You can return to any lesson at any time thereafter. There’s a task sheet for you to develop your skills, and a visual quiz at the end of the course to see if you can identify problems and solutions.
What is included in the course?
Over 6 hours of specialised video training with Greg Hamerton. There’s also a task sheet for you to develop your skills, and a visual quiz at the end of the course to see if you can apply the concepts to common problems.
Single payment or subscription?
GROUND HANDLING is available to buy as standalone course. You can pay once and get lifetime access to these lessons and any updates I make to them. OR become a Flight Academy member and get FREE access to all the courses, plus livestreams, discounts, chatroom and a large catalogue of more advanced topics.
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. Ground Control training builds upon the Fundamentals and gets you ready for Launch Skills. What you learn here will benefit every aspect of your paragliding.
What pilots are saying
Great course! Love it.
Andy Fowlie
UK
That was again a very detailed course with many new inputs. Great job and very entertaining, thanks Greg for this awesome course!
Christoph Poschmann
Germany
A great resource, and reminder to keep the fundamentals solid.
Patrick Switzer
USA
Get the course!
Over six hours of informative video training. Study the basics, learn advanced skills and develop control!
