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Algodonales · Andalucía · Spain

Pilot Development, Post-CP Mentoring & XC Guiding

Come to Spain, join a friendly group of pilots and concentrate on the flying. We take care of the weather briefings, site choice, transport, retrieves, accommodation and local logistics.

Whether you are newly qualified, building confidence after CP, learning to thermal, planning your first cross-country flights or already pushing bigger XC distances, your coaching is adapted to you.

Standard guided week: 7 nights and 6 full flying days. We operate seven days a week and make the most of any extra arrival-day, departure-day or evening flying that weather and timing allow.

Paragliding pilot development week in Algodonales
Progression: Building confidence one flight at a time.
01 Who it is forQualified independent pilots, from newly qualified CP/IPPI 3 through to experienced XC pilots.
02 FlyingSix full flying days in a normal week, often with a second evening soaring flight when conditions allow.
03 CoachingMorning weather briefings, site briefings, task setting, radio support, debriefs and individual advice.
04 AccommodationYour own private bedroom in a shared house, with private apartment upgrades also available.
05 PriceGuided weeks from €895 per pilot, including standard accommodation and guiding.

One group. Individual progression.

Not a Rigid Course and Never One-Size-Fits-All

Pilots do not all arrive with the same experience, confidence or goals. That is why we do not try to force everyone through an identical programme.

There are important skills that every developing pilot needs to revisit: weather, site choice, launching, active flying, thermalling, decision-making, route planning and safe landing options. We repeat and build on these subjects until they make sense in real flying conditions. At the same time, the advice you receive is personal to your experience, your wing, your confidence and the type of flying you want to achieve.

No question is too basic. A good development environment is one where pilots can ask, discuss, make sensible decisions and learn without feeling pressured to keep up with somebody else.

Choose the support you need

Three Ways We Help Pilots Progress

01

Post-CP Mentoring

From school environment to confident independent flying

The first flights after qualification can feel like a big step. We help newly qualified pilots settle into a supportive group, understand new sites, make conservative decisions and build experience without being rushed.
  • Site assessment and safe decision-making
  • Launch preparation and confidence
  • Flying comfortably around other pilots
  • Landing approaches and field selection
  • Understanding forecasts and local conditions
  • Building airtime gradually and safely
02

Pilot Development

Build skills, understanding, airtime and confidence

For pilots who can fly independently but want more structure, feedback and practical experience. We identify the areas that will make the biggest difference to your flying and work on them throughout the week.
  • Active flying and glider control
  • Thermalling technique and climb efficiency
  • Weather interpretation and site choice
  • Confidence in stronger or more active air
  • Using instruments and tracking effectively
  • Developing better judgement and consistency
03

XC Guiding

First cross-country flights through to bigger distance goals

We help you turn thermalling skills into sensible cross-country flying. Tasks and route choices are set according to the day and the pilot, from a first short glide away from the hill to longer and more ambitious routes.
  • Route planning and achievable task setting
  • Knowing when to leave a climb
  • Transitions, lines and terrain choices
  • Cloudbase, wind and changing conditions
  • Landing-out decisions and retrieve planning
  • Flight review and tactical improvement

You do not need to choose a fixed “course” before you arrive. Tell us where you are in your flying and what you would like to improve. We will help you build the right week.

An optional way to learn

Learn XC From the Tandem

If you are open-minded about it, one of Nick’s favourite teaching platforms is the tandem.

Flying together allows us to experience the same air, make decisions in real time and talk through exactly what is happening. Rather than trying to explain a climb, transition or route choice afterwards, Nick can demonstrate it while you are both in the air. A tandem cross-country flight can be especially useful for understanding how to search for a thermal, centre a climb, read the terrain, choose a line, decide when to leave and keep suitable landing options available. It also gives developing pilots a chance to experience a longer XC flight without the pressure of having to make every decision alone. Many pilots who have flown cross-country with Nick on the tandem say that it helped several pieces of their flying finally make sense. It is practical, conversational coaching in the environment where those decisions actually matter.
Interested in tandem coaching? Tell us before your trip. Tandem teaching and tandem XC can be arranged when the weather, pilot suitability, equipment, logistics and the objectives of the week allow.
Tandem cross-country paragliding coaching with Nick
Tandem XC coaching Nick flying tandem XC, an in-flight view of the Twins Peaks on route to Grazalema

Eat. Brief. Fly. Retrieve. Debrief. Repeat.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

Morning

Meet, Check the Weather and Make a Plan

We normally meet at the workshop or a local café after breakfast. We review the forecast, wind, cloud development, likely flying window and the best site for the group.
At Launch

Site Briefing and Individual Objectives

You receive a clear site briefing covering launch, airspace, hazards, landing options, local conditions and the plan for the day. Individual tasks are adapted to each pilot.
Flying

Make the Most of the Main Flying Window

We fly as much as the conditions sensibly allow. That may mean local soaring, thermalling practice, confidence work, a structured task or a cross-country route with retrieve support.
Later

Retrieve, Debrief and Often an Evening Soar

After flying, we regroup, review the day and discuss what worked. When the evening conditions are suitable, we often head back out for a relaxed second flight or sunset soar.

Life on a guided week

Flying, Learning and Good Company

Guide to paragliding sites around Algodonales
Flying-site Wind Rose A Wind Rose showing Algodonales and the surrounding flying areas we fly

A famous southern-Spain flying base

Why Algodonales?

Algodonales is an excellent base for pilot development because there are several flying directions and alternative sites within practical driving distance. This gives us options when the wind direction, cloud, temperature or stability changes. We do not take the group to the same hill simply because it is familiar. Each morning we assess the weather and choose the site that offers the best sensible opportunity for the pilots and objectives that day.
Multiple launch directions Reliable seasonal weather Thermic and soaring days XC route options Alternative sites nearby Experienced local support

The plan remains flexible. Flying sites, tasks and departure times are always chosen according to the actual conditions, not a fixed itinerary.

Sleep properly. Fly better.

Accommodation That Respects Your Space

Standard guided weeks include accommodation in one of our shared houses. You share the kitchen, sitting areas and general house facilities with other pilots, but every adult receives their own private bedroom.

Optional upgrade

Completely Private Apartment

Pilots who prefer complete privacy can upgrade to a self-contained apartment. Availability varies, so it is best to request this when booking.
  • Private bedroom or sleeping area
  • Your own bathroom
  • Private kitchen or cooking area
  • Private sitting area
  • Some apartments also have balconies
Flexible option

Arrange Your Own Accommodation

You are also welcome to book your own hotel, apartment or local accommodation and join us for the guiding, transport and flying programme.
  • Useful for couples or families
  • Choose your preferred style or location
  • Join the group for briefings and flying
  • Contact us for the self-accommodation price

What We Take Care Of

Included in a Standard Guided Week

  • Seven nights’ accommodation
  • Your own private bedroom in shared accommodation
  • Six full flying days
  • Saturday airport pickup and drop-off
  • Daily transport to the most suitable flying site
  • Retrieve support
  • Morning weather and site briefings
  • Individual pilot-development coaching
  • Task setting and XC route advice where appropriate
  • Radio guidance when useful and practical
  • Daily debriefs and flight discussion
  • Local organisation and logistics

You Concentrate on the Flying

From the moment you arrive, our aim is to remove as much avoidable stress as possible. We help organise the airport transfer, get you settled into Algodonales and introduce you to the group. Each day we choose the site, organise the vehicles, plan the flying and bring the group back together afterwards. You can focus on preparing properly, listening to the briefing, making good decisions and enjoying your flying.

Arrive with your flying equipment, insurance and a willingness to learn. We handle the rest of the week around you.

More than a booking

Join a Community of Pilots

Most people arrive on their own or knowing only one other person. Very few leave feeling that way.

A ParaglidingGuide week is built around shared flying, honest conversations, good humour and pilots encouraging one another. Lower-airtime pilots learn from the experience around them. More experienced pilots help create a calm and positive environment. Everyone brings something to the group. As a coach, Nick’s priority is not simply that you fly further during one holiday. It is that you become a safer, more confident and more thoughtful pilot who continues enjoying the sport for many years. We want everyone back on the ground, sharing the story and ready to fly again tomorrow.

Great flying. Great laughs. Sensible decisions. Friends you will probably fly with again.

Pilot Requirements and Safety

This Week Is Suitable If You:

  • Hold at least BHPA Club Pilot or an equivalent IPPI 3 qualification
  • Can launch and land independently in suitable conditions
  • Use your own appropriate wing, harness, reserve, helmet and instruments
  • Are willing to follow site rules and group briefings
  • Want to improve without being pushed into unnecessary risk
  • Understand that weather and flying cannot be guaranteed

Important

  • Every pilot remains pilot in command and responsible for their own decisions
  • You must have insurance covering paragliding, medical treatment and repatriation
  • Your equipment must be suitable, maintained and within service requirements
  • Coaching and guidance do not remove your responsibility to decide whether to launch or continue flying
  • If we believe conditions are unsuitable for you, we will say so

Unsure whether you are ready? Contact Nick before booking. A short, honest conversation about your recent flying and confidence is usually enough to place you in the right group.

Common questions

Before You Book

Do I need previous XC experience?No. You must be a safe independent pilot, but your first small cross-country flight can be one of the goals of the week. Tasks are adjusted to your experience and the conditions.
Will I be held back by less experienced pilots?We work with mixed groups, but pilots do not all receive the same task. When conditions and logistics allow, stronger XC pilots can pursue a more ambitious route while developing pilots work on a suitable objective.
Can I come on my own?Yes. Many pilots do. The shared briefings, accommodation, transport and flying make it easy to become part of the group from the first day.
How much flying will we do?We fly whenever conditions are appropriate. A normal week includes six full flying days, and we often add evening soaring or bonus flying around arrival and departure when timing permits. No operator can responsibly guarantee airtime or weather.
Can I book my own accommodation?Yes. You can arrange your own accommodation and join the guiding programme. Contact us before booking so that we can confirm the correct price and practical pickup arrangements.
What happens on a non-flyable day?The plan depends on the weather and what will help the group most. We may work on theory, weather, route planning, equipment, ground handling where suitable, flight review or visit another area. Safety always takes priority over forcing a flying day.

What pilots say

Fly With People Who Want You to Progress

Ready for your next step?

Tell Us About Your Flying

Let us know your qualification, recent airtime, usual flying sites and what you want to improve. We will recommend the right week and the right level of support.

From €895 per pilot · €200 deposit · Balance due 14 days before arrival