Expert paragliding guidance, thermalling instruction and cross country coaching with Carlo Borsattino, Chief Flying Instructor of Flybubble Paragliding.

General information

Two unique one-week* paragliding thermalling and XC courses run by Carlo Borsattino, based (this time) in Algodonales - renowned for being the paragliding "Mecca" of Andalucia in Southern Spain - working together with local, English speaking paragliding experts.

The area is perfect for improving your general flying, thermalling and cross country skills whilst enjoying the Spanish hospitality and having an all-round great time!

Carlo Borsattino, CFI of Flybubble Paragliding, will be working together with local paragliding experts, who are English speaking, to ensure you make the most out of the week. With local experts taking care of the local organisation and Carlo Borsattino giving comprehensive 'site and flight' guidance, you have the best of both worlds to help you get the most out of the trip!

Have fun, learn loads, improve your flying, hone your thermalling skills, expand your XC horizons - in the sky of the magnificent Griffon Vulture!

Dates: Friday 06/11/2009 to Sunday 22/11/2009

What's included & the cost?

The following is included in the cost of the trip...

• Expert paragliding guidance, thermalling instruction and cross country coaching with Carlo Borsattino
• 6 days of guided flying with Carlo Borsattino working together with local paragliding experts
• General 'site & flight' guidance by Carlo Borsattino & local paragliding experts
• Weather, local area and flight information from local paragliding experts
• Airport transfer from/to local airport to/from accommodation
• 7 night’s shared self-catering accommodation
• 6 days transfers to/from take-offs/landing fields

Total Cost: £595 (GBP) for all of the above*.

Airline flights and meals are not included in the cost of the trip.

Deposit: £300 (300 GBP) non-refundable deposit payable to secure your place.

Number of Pilots
The minimum number of pilots required for this trip to go ahead is 6 (six).
The maximum number of pilots we will accept for this trip is 10 (ten).

Airline Flights

Airline flights are not included in the cost of the trip.

When we last checked (02/09/2009) flights to Malaga from London Gatwick for the dates we are going were approx £66.86 return for an adult fare including 20Kg normal luggage allowance. If you can find cheaper (for the right dates and airports) then let us know!

Once we have received deposits from the minimum number of pilots required for the trip to go ahead (for the trip to at least break even) then we will try to find the best price for flights for each trip and then reserve flights for the individual to pay for directly themselves.

It is always best if everyone is on the same flight, but we understand this is not always possible as people come from different places. All we ask is that, to minimize unnecessary delays, everyone is at the airport at the same time, or earlier than the main group arrival time for the airport transfer on the way out. On the way back (i.e. return flight) you should ensure your flight is at the same time or later than than the main group's flight. If you book flights that do not fit in with the main group then you will have to make your own arrangements for airport transfers.

Suitable for me?

If you are wondering whether this trip is right for you - and whether you are right for it - in summary you should consider at least the following criteria…

What pilot ratings / licence do I need?

You will need at least BHPA Club Pilot rating, International Pilot Proficiency Identification (IPPI) Para Pro level 3, or equivalent.

What 'level' of paraglider pilot do I need to be?

Although ideally you should have 20 hours airtime plus to make the most out of this trip, you don’t need to be an ‘advanced’ pilot or 'skygod'. More important are the following pilot skills and criteria, which you should feel reasonably confident about in yourself before signing up for this trip...

What skills do I need for this trip?

1) Take-off ability.
Although there should be an experienced pilot on take-off to assist you with setting up, should you wish them to, and to keep an eye on conditions most of the time, you will need to be able to launch reasonably competently in a variety of conditions, both forward and reverse. We will advise you on the conditions for the day as they develop, and give you our opinion on their suitability for you, but we will never 'order' you to launch. Remember, the final decision to take off will ALWAYS be your own!

2) Flight plans and decision making.
Although we will brief you about the area in detail at the beginning of the course, and the anticipated ideal flight plan before each flight, you will need to be able to follow your own flight plan independently, and make sensible decisions about where (and when) you choose to fly - or not fly! Never forget, you are the pilot in command, the one who is actually pulling the strings, at all times!

3) Landing.
You will need to be able to set up your own landing approaches into a variety of landing areas and avoid any potential obstacles. For any cross country flights landing areas will be, by definition, varied! Depending on how safety conscious you are, and how late you leave the decision to pick out a safe landing field, you could end up having to land in a small field with many obstacles in and/or around it. Of course you can avoid this predicament by choosing a larger field earlier on, rather than flying low over tricky landing areas!

4) The flying.
You need to feel OK about the prospect of flying in mountainous areas and thermic conditions. The take-off areas are generally good, but can be rocky in places, so your launch technique needs to be reasonably good.

If you can honestly answer "Yes, OK!" to all of the above, and you feel happy about everything, then you should be OK for this trip!

What's required?

You will need at least the following things for this trip...

Compulsory:

• Your own paraglider*
• Your own paragliding harness*
• Your own paragliding helmet*
• Your own paragliding reserve parachute*
• Your own handheld radio*
• Your paraglider speed system must be correctly fitted & set up
• Adequate travel & medical insurance, including repatriation
• Airline flights to/from local airport
• A sense of humour and adventure!

*Your paraglider and paragliding harness should be the correct size and level for you.
*Your paragliding helmet must be suitable for you and adequate for paragliding use.
*Your paragliding reserve parachute must be the correct size for you, and have been recently and properly repacked.
*Your radio must be suitable and adequate (2m 5W VFH handheld transceiver) and you must ensure it is working properly, with the ability to hear and talk easily in-flight, by testing it out on the ground and in-flight BEFORE you come on the trip.
*It is every pilot's responsibility to ensure that all of their equipment is the correct size and level for them and that it is in an airworthy condition.

Highly Recommended:

The following things are not 'compulsory' but highly recommended...

• Global Positioning System (GPS)*
• Sun hat, sunglasses & suntan lotion!

*Whilst we do highly recommended having a GPS for all cross country flying, as they are very useful things indeed (in general, not just for this trip), it is not absolutely essential that you have one for this trip. If you do have a GPS, make sure you know how to use it before you come on the trip - don't wait to learn how to use it during the trip!

Please note that the above is not meant to be an 'exhaustive' list - it does not cover everything!
There will of course be other things that you also need for this trip, it is only meant as a guide to help you!

To book or enquire

To book or make an enquiry Contact Us

Photos

Carlo Borsattino - Algodonales etc

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Algodonales & Around from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - El Bosque, Canete & Vultures

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of El Bosque, Canete la Real & Griffon Vultures from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Lijar Levante

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Lijar Levante from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Lijar Poniente

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Lijar Poniente from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Montellano

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Montellano from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Ronda

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Ronda from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Ronda La Vieja

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Ronda La Vieja from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Seville

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Seville from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Teba

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Teba from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Carlo Borsattino - Zahara & Twin Peak Walk

Photos by Carlo Borsattino of Zahara de la Sierra & Twin Peak Walk from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Andreas Borgnes

Photos by Andreas Borgnes from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Gerry Bradnam - Lijar Poniente

Photos by Gerry Bradnam of Lijar Levante & Teba from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Gerry Bradnam - Ronda La Vieja & Canete

Photos by Gerry Bradnam of Ronda La Vieja & Canete La Real from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Gerry Bradnam - Seville, Sunsets, Eating & Drinking

Photos by Gerry Bradnam of Seville, Sunsets, Eating & Drinking from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Gerry Bradnam - Zahara de la Sierra

Photos by Gerry Bradnam of Zahara de la Sierra from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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John Hughes

Photos by John Hughes from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Nancy Elliott

Photos by Nancy Elliott from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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Simon Brewster

Photos by Simon Brewster from the Flybubble Paragliding trip to Spain in November 2009.

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