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DG500 glider on grass field

Training

Discover our training programs to become a sailplane pilot - an exciting adventure that will take you from your first flights to obtaining your Sailplane Pilot License (SPL).

Flight training

Flight training

Our Training Approach

At Caen Falaise Planeurs, we offer a complete and progressive training adapted to all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced pilots wishing to improve.

Our philosophy

  • Safety first - Each lesson integrates safety best practices
  • Progressive training - Each step builds on the previous one
  • Intensive practice - Regular flights to consolidate skills
ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane ready for takeoff

ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane ready for takeoff

Training Prerequisites

Before starting your sailplane pilot training, here are the conditions to meet.

Access conditions

  • Minimum age: 14 years old (parental authorization required until 18 years old)
  • Medical certificate: issued by an aeronautical medical examiner
  • Motivation: Passion for aviation and commitment to training
  • Have time: Gliding is a sport that requires time, plan to spend the entire day on site.

Ready to start your training?

Join us for an exceptional aeronautical adventure and become a sailplane pilot.

Initiation flight for €100Contact the club

Training Steps

Your training journey takes place in several progressive phases, each bringing you closer to your goal: becoming a sailplane pilot.

Discovery and first flights

ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane in towing

ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane in towing

  • Initiation flights - Discovery of gliding sensations
  • Ground learning - discovery of the activity on the field during a flight day
  • Safety - from ground preparation to takeoff
  • Familiarization - Learning theoretical basics and first flights with instructor
  • Awareness of airfield activity - living with other users
  • First takeoffs - Introduction to towing

Practical training

  • Flying techniques - Basic controls and maneuvers
  • Takeoff, towing and landing - Mastering critical phases
  • Thermal flying - Finding and exploiting updrafts
  • Navigation - Cross-country flights over the countryside (leaving the local area)
A student helps with ASK-13 takeoff

A student helps with ASK-13 takeoff

Theoretical training

  • Safety - Being aware of risks and avoiding them
  • Meteorology - Understanding flight conditions
  • Aerodynamics - Principles of gliding
  • Regulations - Airspace and procedures
  • Navigation - Chart reading and flight planning
FFVP SPL theoretical e-Learning

FFVP SPL theoretical e-Learning

FFVP E-learning Platform

Our theoretical training uses the official FFVP platform, complete and interactive course.

  • • 9 subjects and 73 modules of teaching
  • • Multimedia content: texts, illustrations and videos
  • • Interactive MCQs for each module
  • • Personalized progress tracking
  • • Complete integration with FFVP tools

Theoretical exam

Once your learning is complete, your training manager can present you for the theoretical exam. The exam takes place directly at the club with the Wingu software, under the supervision of an examiner qualified by the DGAC.

Classroom theoretical course

Solo flight and improvement

  • Solo authorization - First supervised solo flights, then autonomous (requires theoretical or BIA as well as a valid medical certificate)
  • Improvement - Advanced techniques and performance
  • License preparation - Complete revision and theoretical and practical exams
Student ready for solo flight in Ka-8

Student ready for solo flight in Ka-8

Our Instructors

Our team of qualified instructors accompanies you throughout your training with expertise and kindness.

Profiles of our instructors

  • Licensed instructors - Holders of FI (instructor) and/or FE (examiner) qualification
  • Varied experience - From local flying to performance flying
  • Adapted pedagogy - Teaching methods updated regularly, adaptation to the student and their learning pace
  • Availability - Regular presence on weekends and Wednesdays, and every day during summer camp period
Instructors explaining instrument operation

Instructors explaining instrument operation

Training Equipment

ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane on the ground

ASK-13 F-CYBN sailplane on the ground

Our training fleet includes aircraft perfectly adapted to learning.

Two-seat training sailplanes

  • ASK-13 - Classic sailplane, ideal for basics
  • Marianne C 201 - Performance and stability (at ASK-13 price for non-licensed students, see our Costs page)

Flight simulator

  • Condor 2 - Simulator with VR headset for theoretical and practical training

Costs and Financing

Student with instructor after first solo flight

Student with instructor after first solo flight

Example cost for a young person under 25 (training over 2 seasons)

  • club membership: €115/year (reduced rate)
  • Annual FFVP Passion insurance license -25 years: about €41/year
  • Mandatory Civil Liability Insurance: about €41/year
  • 20h dual flight (ASK-13/Marianne): about €900 (€20/h + 20 tows - reduced rate)
  • 10h supervised solo flight: about €450
  • 10h solo sailplane flight: about €370
  • E-learning and theoretical exam: €50 (e-learning access valid without time limit)
  • Total training: about €2000 over two years until license

Check our Costs page for all pricing details and eligibility conditions for reductions.

Available Federal Aids

French Federation of Sailplane Flying

French Federation of Sailplane Flying

The French Federation of Gliding (FFVP) offers several aid programs to facilitate access to training.

Federal scholarships

  • First solo - Aid for your first autonomous flight
  • Pilot license - Support for obtaining the license
  • First cross-country flight - Encouragement for distance flights
  • First 1000km - Aid for advanced performances

BIA (Aviation Initiation License)

  • Additional aid - €50 for each scholarship obtained

Planning and Organization

Course organization

Course organization

Course organization

Flights always take place in the afternoon, but from aircraft preparation to storage, you spend the whole day there

  • Weekend afternoons - Main practical training
  • Wednesday afternoons - Additional flights
  • Summer camps - Intensive training with dedicated instructor
  • Theoretical training - Courses at the club and online

Training duration

  • Complete training - 2 seasons on average
  • Minimum flights - between 20 and 30 flight hours generally for license obtaining, depending on student progress
  • Personalized progression - According to availability and weather

After License Obtainment

Camp for everyone with CFP at St-Rémy-de-Provence

Camp for everyone with CFP at St-Rémy-de-Provence

  • Solo flights - Freedom to fly autonomously
  • Removal of SPL restrictions - cross-country flight, passenger carrying
  • Performance flights - Cross-country and competition
  • Club participation - Involvement in club life
  • Becoming a discovery flight pilot - Making others discover gliding

Go even further!

  • Continuing education - Additional qualifications (motor glider, winch launch, ...)
  • Becoming an instructor - After a few years of experience and additional training, share your passion too
  • Performance flying - Advanced techniques
  • Competition - Participation in regional contests

How to Start

1

Contact us

For a first exchange

2

Initiation flight

Activity discovery (€100)

3

Club membership

Join us and commit to the activity

4

Training start

First theoretical and practical courses

Ready to start your training?

Join us for an exceptional aeronautical adventure and become a sailplane pilot.

Initiation flight for €100Contact the club