Famous Piedechinche this August 2023
Our Cross Country Course is always somewhat personalized and tailored to the pilot's level. There is a lot of theory and planning involved in an XC flight, so we usually spend a significant amount of time with our students in front of their computers. In the practical part of the Cross Country Course, the entire group flies together on a pre-established route designed by the instructor and/or students, with the instructor guiding all participants along the way.
What makes our Cross Country Course a significant advancement in paragliding instruction, well above programs found elsewhere, is the fact that we teach you how to safely and intelligently create your own XC routes. Our main goal is to teach you the basic rules of XC planning so that once you finish the course, you can go home and plan your own routes.
During the theoretical lessons, our focus will be on topics such as Advanced Meteorology, P3 Flight Techniques, Advanced Dangerous Situations, GPS and Instrument Usage, and Pilot Skills.
Please note that to enroll in the course, you should already have mastered your thermal flying skills. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to enroll if you cannot climb to the top of thermals, as the group will not be able to wait for you and will have to leave you behind.
Our Cross Country course in Piedechinche is specifically designed for novice pilots with EN-A or EN-B category wings who aspire to conquer the skies in mild yet challenging conditions. We have carefully planned a week-long adventure in Colombia, precisely when the weather in Valle is not at its best. This ensures that you can get the most out of your training while enjoying the beauty of this magnificent destination.
Why go
Marko and Camila have a deep knowledge of the flying area, having achieved notable victories in competitions held in this very place. Without a doubt, you will be in the most capable hands, ensuring not only comfortable flights, but also the possibility of breaking your own distance record.
Arrival on August 5 to August 13 (8 nights)
(Meteorology, paragliding technique, flight rules, dangerous situations, analysis, XC tools, instrument settings, advanced performance flying)
In our sincere effort to make this trip accessible and memorable, we offer you the option to choose whether or not to include accommodation. This will allow you to personalize your stay and foster camaraderie with other pilots, while ensuring an inexpensive yet delightful experience.
With hotel Siga la Vaca |
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No hotel |
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Hotel Siga la Vaca https://sigalavaca.com.co/hotel/
In order to reserve rooms with a single bed, reservation payment is required as soon as possible. In case the rooms run out, we will offer shared rooms. In case of not being able to have space in Hotel Siga la Vaca, we will offer you one next door.
Hotel location: Santa Elena
We traveled on August 5. Arrival is August 5th. The course starts on August 6.
Master 'N Chief Instructor
School owner
"Dedication, professionalism, competence, passion, knowledge, progress, guidance, safety, and fun is my motto when I teach you how to fly. Our happy students are our best advertising."
Marko Hrgetic, APPI Master instructor #14372
SIV and XC Certified APPI instructor
APPI Pedagogical comity
APPI Representative Mexico
X-Alps 2019 Athlete
More than 1000 students in the various courses.
15 years of experience
Marko's XC course is the standard by which others should be judged. Marko not only focuses on the practical airborne skills necessary to have a safe and successful cross-country flight, but also ensures that the student leaves with the knowledge to be able to plan and execute such a flight.
In the air, the analogy of leading ducks is apt. If one of the class falls behind or has trouble in a thermal, Marko will drop back/drop down to help them catch up. Likewise, if there's anyone else eager to test their skills, Marko will encourage them to go ahead and find the rest of the group. Expect to be challenged, but not overwhelmed.
For every hour of airtime a student spends during the day, you can expect an equal amount to be applied in the classroom. Mental preparation, route planning, flight speed, advanced weather and post-flight analysis are covered in addition to the standard XC course fee.
Ultimately, if your takeoffs/landings are solid and you can thermal bond, this is the must-attend course for you.
mark carter
I recently took Marko's Cross Country course and it was fantastic! I learned a lot about understanding weather charts, reading local winds, planning a cross-country flight, and the most efficient flight to get farther. I like the way Marko trains. As he evaluates how his students fly, he gives simple instructions on how we can fly better or take off better or land better or whatever. All of the students on our course who applied improved tremendously. I would recommend Marko and Flumen to anyone looking to improve their skills as a paraglider. He also gives great tandem flights!Chris
Piedechinche located in Valle del Cauca in Colombia is world famous as Vale de Bravo. The flight site is located 45 minutes west of Cali. The site offers mountain and plain flights.
It is a west-facing site.
The weather in Piedechinche and Valle de Cauca to fly XC is best in January, February, and August.
Depending on the year, if we have El Niño, the conditions are more humid and the La Niña years, when the conditions are spectacular, there is less humidity. The entire valley is located at 1000 m ASL and is very humid, which helps to create cumulus clouds. The cloud base varies between 700m AGL and 1500m AGL.
The average temperature is 20-25C and the RH 50-70%.
In Valle de Cauca there may be bad days when you cannot fly.
Thermals are generally very wide and almost without turbulence.
The valley has restrictions due to the Cali airport and some training areas for commercial pilots that must be respected.
During the course, we try to teach you as much as you can absorb. The day is divided into practical parts and theoretical lessons. We leave early in the morning, generally at 8 AM.
Summer clothes as it is quite hot.
It is important to have a drinking system for your flights as you lose a lot of water during flights.
You need to have:
Preferably you will bring/have
We will check your parachute and how it is installed.
Have the best GPS-Vario
At our school, you can buy new instruments at great prices. We will teach you how to choose the best equipment for you.
Check what we offer
Our website is still under construction, so some parts are still not finished completely or the info is not complete.