Generally run on the Friday and Saturday preceding all license courses, there is no better way to experience what it is to be a paraglider pilot than to join one of our 2 Day Free Courses!

For those wanting to understand more about the sport before committing to the 8-day license course, 2 days of your time will have you experiencing the thrill of paragliding, and is a great way to have an introduction to the sport. It’s true, our obligation-free 2 day intro course is world famous!

So it’s really free, right?
Exactly. With us at Cloudbase, it’s all on us. There’s no catch, no sneaky tricks, no hidden costs. The only cost burden to yourself is for the Trainee Membership offered by the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia, which provides you insurance. More information below.

What will I learn?
From the minute you arrive, you’ll be training with people on an actual full license course, so you’ll be straight into the paragliding simulator, being introduced to what it feels like to fly and being briefed on equipment. We then teach you the art of ground handling your canopy, and more often than not, you’ll get a tandem flight with us and experience some glides to the beach and/or ridge soaring.

So I will actually get in the air and fly?
Absolutely. The whole point of the two day free course is to have you fall in love with the sport. We will go to the ends of the earth to get you airborne.

What do I need to bring?
An Australian Standards approved helmet with no ear coverings (this is generally an approved cycling helmet). If you do not have one, don’t worry, we have plenty for sale here that are paragliding specific and range in price from $50 to $330 depending on your preferences. You’ll also need solid shoes/comfortable hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, water (lots, so maybe bring a drink bottle or two), food or snacks to get you through the day. It’s a good idea, but not mandatory, to have a pair of light but protective gloves (bunnings have a great range), long sleeve shirts are strong recommendation if you are sun-sensitive. Please understand that for hygiene reasons, we do not provide helmets.

I’m doing the 8-Day Learn to Paraglide Course or the 11-Day Learn to Paramotor Course. Am I also able to attend?
Absolutely. we really suggest taking up these two days, extending your learning experience from 8 days to 10 or 11-13, respectively. More training develops a better overall pilot, and this only benefits you and the sport in general.

What do I need to do to book?
Because this is excellent value and zero cost, it’s very popular and spaces are limited. Availability changes sometimes on a daily basis, and availability for the 2 day free course is shown in our Course Dates Section, located at the top of all Paragliding Course and Paramotoring Course pages.

Here’s a great checklist to help you out;
1. Send us an enquiry, letting us know what dates you’d like to join us on.
2. Once your dates are confirmed, you’ll need to pop on over to the HGFA Website to process your Student Membership Application. Read the Sign-up Guide, and then complete your online application. Super easy!
3. Using the information contained in step #19 of the Sign-up Guide, send us a pdf copy of your newly downloaded HGFA Membership Profile. This is the final step to confirming your position on the course.
4. Let us know whether you’ll be requiring accommodation at $30 per night for the duration.
5. You’re locked in and will be sent a welcome email!

COURSE DATES ARE HERE

Our biggest point of difference is that we run our courses with a maximum of 4-5 students. This ensures that our students achieve more airtime and personal time with an instructor. 

What to expect

• Introduction to the Sport : The Hang Gliding Federation of Australia, licensing legals, course overview
• Understanding your equipment : All elements of a modern paraglider, harness and associated equipment used when flying are explained in an extremely detailed session
• Ground handling : Forward and reverse launching in varying wind conditions
• Training slope flights : This is where you’ll get an opportunity to get associated with being proficient at take off and landings, and build your confidence before you get to attempt your high flights
• Tandem flights : You’ll get an opportunity to have as many Tandem flights so that you feel comfortable being up high. We also will demonstrate how to ridge soar, thermal, and land effectively
• First High flights : This is where we do our first high glides. A moment you’ll wish you could bottle
• Landing approaches : Figure “8” beats and Aircraft style
• Ridge Soaring : Staying up and using upward lift along a ridge
• Thermalling : Controlling the glider in thermic conditions, using the thermal core. Using a variometer/altimeter
• Big Ears : Understanding an important decent manoeuvre and when to use this technique
• Rear Riser Steering : An emergency manoeuvre in the event of brake line knots or breakages
• Theory lessons : Approx 20 hours theory in a relaxed atmosphere
• Theory exams : including post exam debrief
• Top Landing : Why land on the beach if you can top land?
• Emergency recovery techniques : Understand how to confidently recover from different situations

Click here to make your enquiry today

This course is valid to Skydivers holding current qualifications with experience over 200 jumps. Hang Glider pilots must have 50 logged flying hours flight and current HGFA license.

We recognise your airtime. Whilst the minimum requirements are 4 days flying for this course, we highly recommend that you complete the full 8-day course at no extra cost. A 4 day minimum would require perfect weather, excellent student skills and completion of the HGFA theory workbook.

Our biggest point of difference is that we run our courses with a maximum of 4-5 students. This ensures that our students achieve more airtime and personal time with an instructor. 

What to expect

Introduction to the Sport : The Hang Gliding Federation of Australia, licensing legals, course overview
Understanding your equipment : All elements of a modern paraglider, harness and associated equipment used when flying are explained in an extremely detailed session
Ground handling : Forward and reverse launching in varying wind conditions
Training slope flights : This is where you’ll get an opportunity to get associated with being proficient at take off and landings, and build your confidence before you get to attempt your high flights
Tandem flights : You’ll get an opportunity to have as many Tandem flights so that you feel comfortable being up high. We also will demonstrate how to ridge soar, thermal, and land effectively
First High flights : This is where we do our first high glides. A moment you’ll wish you could bottle
Landing approaches : Figure “8” beats and Aircraft style
Ridge Soaring : Staying up and using upward lift along a ridge
Thermalling : Controlling the glider in thermic conditions, using the thermal core. Using a variometer/altimeter
Big Ears : Understanding an important descent manoeuvre and when to use this technique
Rear Riser Steering : An emergency manoeuvre in the event of brake line knots or breakages
Theory lessons : Approx 20 hours theory in a relaxed atmosphere
Theory exams : including post exam debrief
Top Landing : Why land on the beach if you can top land?
Emergency recovery techniques : Understand how to confidently recover from different situations