Want to Learn to Paraglide? Here’s How a Beginner Course Works

Have you ever looked up at a paraglider and thought: I’d love to learn how to do that?

Getting started with paragliding is easier than many people think. You don’t need any previous flying experience, and you certainly don’t start by launching from a mountain. Everything happens step by step – from learning how to control the wing on the ground to making your first real high-altitude flights.

At 1420 Airborne, we run beginner paragliding courses during the summer in Åre, Sweden. The course runs from Monday to Saturday, and the goal is for you to earn your Student Licence with Mountain rating after successfully completing the course.

How Do You Start Paragliding?

The first step for anyone who wants to become a paraglider pilot is a beginner course.

During the course, you’ll learn both the theory behind flying and the practical skills needed to fly safely.

We start on the ground. You’ll get to know the equipment and practise controlling and balancing the wing. Once your technique starts to develop, we move on to training slopes where you’ll practise launches, landings and your first short flights.

As your skills and confidence improve, we gradually increase the altitude.

And eventually comes the moment most students have been waiting for – your first real high-altitude flight.

What Do You Learn on a Beginner Paragliding Course?

Learning to paraglide is about much more than simply steering a wing.

During the course, you’ll learn about:

Ground handling and wing control
Launch and landing techniques
Training hill flights
High-altitude flights
Aerodynamics and how a paraglider flies
Meteorology and weather assessment
Airspace and flying regulations
Equipment and safety checks
Risk assessment and decision-making

An important part of the training is learning when to fly – and when not to fly.

Good decision-making is one of the most important skills you can develop as a paraglider pilot.

Beginner Paragliding Course with Mountain Rating in Åre

Our beginner course takes place in Åre during the summer and runs for six days, from Monday to Saturday.

Åre gives us excellent opportunities to combine ground handling and training slopes with real high-altitude flights in a spectacular mountain environment.

The goal is for you to earn your Student Licence with Mountain rating after successfully completing all required elements of the course.

This means that already during your first course, you’ll start learning the skills required to fly safely from mountain launch sites.

Up to 10 High-Altitude Flights Included

Everyone learns at a different pace. Some students need more flights than others before all the required skills are in place.

That’s why up to 10 high-altitude flights are included in our beginner course.

We want you to focus on learning to fly rather than worrying about the cost of every individual flight.

If you need additional flights after the 10 included flights, these can be arranged at an additional cost.

What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?

Paragliding is weather-dependent, and safety always comes first.

That’s why our beginner courses include a 6-month weather guarantee.

If weather conditions prevent us from completing all the required elements during your course week, you can return and complete the course free of charge at a later course date.

The weather guarantee is valid for six months from the end date of your original course.

There is never any reason to rush a flight when the conditions aren’t right.

Do I Need to Buy My Own Paraglider?

No.

During the beginner course, you can use the paragliding equipment required for your training.

In fact, we think it’s a good idea to wait before buying your own equipment until you have gained more knowledge and a better understanding of what suits you.

When the time comes to buy your own wing, harness and reserve parachute, we’ll be happy to help you choose equipment that suits your experience level and future goals.

Who Can Learn to Paraglide?

You don’t need any previous flying experience to get started.

The training is structured step by step, and we progress at a pace that matches your development. You should have a normal level of physical fitness, as the course involves some running, ground handling and moving around in outdoor terrain.

But paragliding isn’t about being extreme.

It’s much more about technique, knowledge, understanding the weather and making good decisions.

How Much Does a Beginner Paragliding Course Cost?

Our beginner paragliding course in Åre costs SEK 10,500.

The price includes six days of training, theory, practical instruction, use of training equipment, instructor coaching, examinations and up to 10 high-altitude flights.

Lift fees and any transport to launch sites, accommodation, food, as well as SSFF membership and insurance, are not included.

The Beginning of a New Adventure

The beginner course is really about one thing: giving you the knowledge and skills you need to start flying on your own.

And from there, there is so much more to discover.

You can continue developing your skills in thermal flying and XC, take an SIV course and eventually fly at incredible locations around the world.

For many pilots, paragliding becomes much more than an activity. It becomes a way to travel, meet new people and experience mountains and nature from an entirely new perspective.