What Age Can You Fly a Paraglider?

For a tandem paragliding flight, there's actually officially no minimum or maximum age restriction. However, many factors come into play, such as the person's weight, their motivation to discover paragliding in Annecy, and their physical ability to keep their balance and run down the slope. But don't worry, paragliding remains a very accessible air sport for children, adults, and older people alike.

Who can go paragliding?

Do you dream of flying and taking a first paragliding flight? Can you walk on a slope and run? Then you have everything it takes to give it a try. Taking a first paragliding flight is an impressive experience, since you leave the ground to fly through open sky, but this sporting activity ultimately requires no prerequisites. Our first flight experiences are for everyone: children, couples, families, groups of friends. All our instructors have solid training combined with extensive experience. They'll be able to safely share the magic of free flying with you, for unforgettable moments.

What physical condition is required?

Here too, this sporting activity is very accessible. It doesn't require any particular physical condition. You just need to be able to walk on a slope, run, and sit in the harness to treat yourself to a flight above Lake Annecy. If you have any doubts about your physical abilities, don't hesitate to talk to us, we'll advise you on the type of flight and time slots best suited to your abilities. In case of a heart condition, you can also ask your doctor for their opinion, they'll no doubt give you a medical certificate or a certificate of no contraindication for a first paragliding flight, given how gently this experience unfolds.

What is the minimum age for a tandem first flight in Annecy?

There is no minimum age for a tandem paragliding flight with a professional instructor. Children can fly from age 5-6. At that age, they'll be fully aware of the experience, they'll enjoy the flight, and they'll definitely keep vivid memories of it. The only constraint for children actually lies in the minimum weight they need to have. A tandem paraglider wing is indeed designed to fly with a certain load, corresponding to the pilot's weight combined with the passenger's. Even though the weight range is wide for a first paragliding flight, the child needs to weigh at least 20 kg and provide parental consent, or that of their legal guardians, since they're a minor.

Is there a maximum age to fly?

Here again, paragliding is open to everyone with no age limit. If you're able to walk and run, you can do a first flight with no problem at all. Paragliding isn't freefall, in fact you don't jump, you take off with the wing gently lifting you off the ground. Plenty of fit older people and grandparents fly with us every year, with no issues at all. If you're hesitant, don't hesitate to come talk to us about it. We'll guide you so you can find the ideal time slot to make your dream come true. Our professional instructors will adapt to your needs for a smooth takeoff and landing.

From what age can you start learning to fly a paraglider solo?

You gave your child or teenager a first paragliding flight above Lake Annecy and now they're hooked, wanting nothing more than to fly a paraglider solo and independently. Sounds like they've caught the same bug we have! Don't worry, you can enroll them in an initiation paragliding course at an FFVL certified school. We'd be delighted to welcome them at Les Grands Espaces.To learn to fly a paraglider solo, your child needs to be at least 14 years old. In some cases, an exception can even be obtained to learn to fly from age 12 at an EFVL school! During this course, your child will learn to fly a wing, take their first short hops on the training slope, and complete their first big flight or flights solo at the controls by the end of the course, under the radio guided supervision of our qualified instructors. Thrills guaranteed!