Cross-Country

From first thermals to strategic 100+ km lights— learn route planning, meteo, instruments and decision-making with calm, radio-guided coaching.

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Why Choose XC with Airlinks Academy?

Based at Lake Annecy in the Savoie/Haute‐Savoie region, our flying playground offers some of the best alpine cross‐country conditions in Europe. With trusted launch sites, terrain variety, and experienced instructors, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to go further — safely and intelligently.

Our courses stand out because:

  • You’ll train in real alpine conditions, not just benign sites.
  • You’ll use live flight tracking, GPS navigation, and full debriefing tools.
  • You’ll fly in small groups with personalised coaching.

What Is an XC Course?

XC (Cross Country) paragliding training teaches you how to extend your flights beyond the familiar, plan routes, manage airspace and weather, and retrieve efficiently.
At Airlinks Academy, you’ll train at one of the world’s best alpine sites, work on real flight planning and execution, and deepen your awareness, decision-making and terrain management.

Levels – Who Is This For?

We offer five structured levels:

  • Beginner XC A & B – for pilots with take-off/landing autonomy but limited XC experience.
  • Intermediate XC A, B & C – for pilots who already fly XC but want to fly better, further and with more confidence.
  • Requirement: completion of an SIV course within the past two years. airlinksacademy.com
    If you’re ready to step up, join a course that matches your level and pushes you to progress.

Equipment

  • Complete paragliding gear suitable for your level (with reserve parachute repacked within the last 6 months).
  • Reliable and charged VHF radio with quality sound (remote triggering and integrated system in the helmet). Possibility to rent a radio for €10/day.
  • Flight instruments (vario, GPS). Possibility to rent a GPS for €15/day.
  • Liquid pack.
  • Charged smartphone with Whatsapp and Sportstracklive installed.

Before the session

Get a good night’s sleep to recharge your physiological batteries for long flights.
Bring meals and water (>2 liters) for the session. It will be possible to purchase food during the day.
Dress warmly to adapt to rapid temperature changes throughout the day.

Daily Flow & Training Structure

In the morning, there will be a weather briefing, equipment check (harness, accelerator, reserve parachute), flight plan, and setting of flight objectives.

Transfer to the flying zone.
The final flight plan adjustment will be made at the launch site. You can focus on your flight without worrying about retrieval. The GPS tracking system will allow real-time monitoring of pilot positions.

After the flight, there will be a debriefing with a flight analysis on a 3D map to set the next objectives and provide training suggestions.

Meeting location: Airlinks Doussard.

1 pilote

900 € / jour

2 pilotes

450 € / jour

3 pilotes

300 € / jour

4 pilotes

250 € / jour

5 pilotes

220 € / jour

6 pilotes

200 € / jour

Ready to Fly Further and Smarter?

Stretch your flying horizon, grow your confidence and master alpine cross-country flights.
Join the Airlinks Academy XC Course at Lake Annecy and make the Alps your playground.

XC Training Supervision

Your training will be led by our experienced team:

Seiko

radio guidance & coaching

Richard

take-off supervision

Nico

aerial camera & video analysis

Isa

safety boat support

XC Paragliding levels

I’ve hardly ever flown cross-country, but I can take off and land by myself.
I haven’t done XC for a long time and I don’t feel confident flying alone.
I’m blocked by the trauma of an accident or incident, but I want to fly.

I’ve hardly ever flown cross-country, but I can take off and land by myself.
I haven’t done XC for a long time and I don’t feel confident flying alone.
I’m blocked by the trauma of an accident or incident, but I want to fly.

I have participated in XC training courses and have flown off-site several times on my own.
I lack confidence in deciding on a flying site or a safe flying route by myself.
I have done a lot of light XC flying if it’s a site I know, but I’m unsure about unfamiliar sites.

I can design my own flying site and flight plan based on the conditions.
I take an SIV course at least once every two years.
I can take off and land in any conditions (safe flying conditions).
I can land in conditions that are not suitable for me, even if other pilots continue their flight.
I can transfer my IGC GPS flight track to someone else on my mobile phone.
I can fly with a small group of people.
I fly while understanding the international flight rules.
I understand the Venturi effect and wind gradients.

All elements of Intermediate A have been completed.
I can safely fly in highly congested areas.
I have safely executed many flight plans of over 5 hours that I planned myself.
I take an SIV course every year.
I can analyze weather forecasts for flights.
I can work with the speed bar/accelerator.
I can notice unexpected changes in conditions during the flight.

All elements of Intermediate A and B have been completed.
I have a flight routine.
When I go to an unfamiliar region, I gather information about the area’s characteristics, establish a flight plan, and fly.
I am confident in piloting my wing, even in slightly stronger conditions.
I can perform my own flight analysis.

World Champion Coach

Train with Seiko Fukuoka

Multi-time World & European Champion, test pilot, and mental coach—Seiko blends precision technique with mindset training so you learn faster and fly calmer

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