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Long-distance flying is a natural step for pilots looking to go beyond local flights and explore what’s possible in the air. This course is designed to introduce and develop cross-country flying, helping you plan routes, read conditions, and fly further with confidence.
Each day begins with a detailed briefing where you’ll analyse weather conditions, study potential routes, and plan your flight based on terrain, wind direction, and thermal activity. You’ll work closely with the instructor to understand how to assess the day and make decisions before even taking off, building the foundation for safe and effective cross-country flying.
Once in the air, you’ll follow the instructor along routes suited to the conditions, completing between two and five cross-country flights over the course. The focus is on improving your ability to find lift, manage transitions, and stay on course while adapting to changing conditions. You’ll be guided throughout the flight, with support to help you stay within safe zones and identify suitable landing areas when needed.
Back on the ground, sessions continue with detailed debriefs and theory. You’ll review your flights using GPS tracks, maps, and weather data, analysing decisions and identifying areas for improvement. Theory lessons cover topics such as thermal behaviour, cloud base estimation, and flight strategy, helping you connect what you experienced in the air with a deeper understanding of how to progress further.
Castejón de Sos, in the Benasque Valley, is one of the most suitable locations in Spain for cross-country flying. Positioned on the southern side of the Pyrenees, the area benefits from consistent thermal activity and a high number of flyable days throughout the year.
The terrain offers a range of routes with varying levels of difficulty, along with high take-offs that allow you to connect with established thermals early in the flight. Wide valleys, clear landmarks, and accessible landing zones make it an ideal environment for developing XC skills in a structured and supportive setting.
This course is designed for pilots who are already autonomous in take-off, landing, ridge soaring, and thermalling. You should have solid experience flying in mountain environments and be confident managing your glider in active conditions.
Completion of at least one SIV course is required, as this ensures you have the necessary skills to handle more advanced situations. This is not a beginner or intermediate course, and participants are expected to arrive with a strong technical foundation.
With decades of experience in both teaching and flying in the Pyrenees, the team has developed a deep understanding of the local conditions and how to use them effectively for cross-country training. The approach combines practical flying with detailed planning and analysis, helping pilots progress in a structured and realistic way.
Led by experienced instructors, including specialists in cross-country flying, each course is carefully managed to balance challenge and safety. With dedicated ground support, organised pick-ups, and focused instruction, the aim is to give you the tools and confidence to extend your flying range while making informed decisions in the air.
This course is designed for experienced pilots who are already comfortable flying independently in a range of conditions. You should be confident with thermalling, ridge soaring, and handling your glider in active air.
It is not suitable for beginners or intermediate pilots still developing basic control. A strong foundation is required to safely take part in cross-country flying.
You can expect to complete between two and five cross-country flights during the course, depending on weather conditions and progression.
Each flight is planned carefully based on the day’s conditions, with the focus on quality and learning rather than simply covering distance.
You will fly independently, but always in coordination with the instructor. You’ll follow a planned route and receive guidance throughout the flight.
The instructor monitors the group and helps ensure that everyone remains within safe and suitable areas during the flight.
You’ll learn how to analyse weather conditions, choose suitable routes, and identify key landmarks and landing zones before take-off.
This preparation is a key part of cross-country flying and is practised daily throughout the course.
After each flight, you’ll review your track using GPS data, maps, and weather information. This helps you understand your decisions and identify areas for improvement.
These debrief sessions are an important part of the learning process, connecting theory with real flight experience.
Yes, there is a dedicated ground team responsible for tracking pilots and organising quick pick-ups after landing.
This ensures that logistics are handled efficiently, allowing you to focus fully on the flying experience.
Theory sessions focus on cross-country specific topics such as thermal behaviour, cloud base calculation, and weather interpretation.
You’ll also learn about flight strategy, transitions, and how to make better decisions during longer flights.
You will receive a record of your training and flight experience during the course.
There is also the possibility of working towards APPI Cross Country Discover certification, depending on your progression.
You should bring suitable clothing for mountain conditions, along with items such as a mobile phone, and ideally a variometer and GPS.
If needed, equipment can be supplemented with school gear to ensure you have everything required for the course.
All flights depend on weather conditions, and daily plans are adjusted accordingly. Safety is always the priority when deciding whether to fly.
If conditions are not suitable for cross-country flying, alternative training or theory sessions may be used to maximise your time on the course.
Over het centrum
Castejón de Sos
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