The pilot licence course takes you to flying solo and to the official licence recognised by the FSVL/SHV, the Swiss hang gliding and paragliding federation. A complete path, from your first high flights to the exam.
How the course works
- Theory — air movement, weather, flight mechanics and air law, taught in weekly online ground-school sessions
- Flying — supervised high flights with radio guidance across our 15+ sites in the Chablais, Gruyère and Jura regions
- Progression — building up to the manoeuvres the licence requires
- Exam — FSVL theory and practical tests
FSVL requirements for the practical exam
To sit the practical exam, the FSVL/SHV requires:
- Minimum age 16 (with a guardian's consent if you're under 18)
- At least 50 high flights logged
- Flown from at least 5 different sites (5 distinct take-offs and landings)
- At least 1 fully independent high flight, including planning it yourself from start to finish
- A pass in the theory exam
Throughout the course we help you tick these boxes: choosing the right sites, tracking and signing off your logbook, and rehearsing exactly what's assessed on the day — preparation and take-off, flight plan, circuit and final turn, landing.
The theory exam & our practice quiz
The FSVL theory exam covers five subjects — flying practice, weather, aerodynamics, equipment and air law — with 20 questions each and a pass mark of 80% (a maximum of 4 wrong answers per subject).
To get you ready, we give you an online practice quiz with a full explanation behind every answer: you train under exam conditions, understand your mistakes, and work at your own pace until you're ready.
Coaching that follows you
You're never on your own. Instructors and assistants guide you by radio on every flight, debrief you on landing, and adapt the pace to your level. Online theory keeps you moving forward even on days the weather grounds us, and we track your logbook, advise on gear and stay with you right through to the exam.
How long does it take?
That depends on your availability and on the weather. Plenty of students earn their licence within a single season. We move at your pace, in small groups.
Prices
The solo pilot licence course comes in several packages, starting from CHF 1,860. Full details are on our prices page.
Why Le Gypaète?
Small groups, instructors who genuinely love this, online theory so you progress even on non-flying days, a practice quiz that works, and some beautiful sites. Get in touch to get started.