Risk Management and Occupational Safety Courses in Paragliding
Instructor Training in Paragliding: Safety and Equipment Standards
Instructor training in paragliding is one of the most strictly regulated fields. It is not merely about teaching how to fly; it is a combination of risk management, occupational safety, and technical equipment expertise.
Below is a detailed overview based on international standards (APPI, FAI, DHV):
1. Occupational Safety Training
An instructor is responsible for their own safety, as well as the safety of students and third parties.
Risk Assessment Module: Instructors must master the "Stop/Go" protocol—how to make the critical decision to cancel flights despite commercial or business pressure.
Logistical Safety: Managing student transportation, mountain movement protocols, and the prevention of heatstroke or hypothermia.
Legal Liability: Proper management of documentation (Waivers), maintaining logbooks, and formal incident reporting.
2. Equipment Safety Training
This module requires the instructor to act as a "Technical Expert":
Daily Inspection (Pre-flight & Post-flight): Identifying damage to wing fabric, wear and tear of lines (shrouds), and detecting metal fatigue in carabiners.
Reserve Parachute Oversight: The instructor must be able to verify the correct installation and orientation of the reserve parachute within a student's harness.
Certification Knowledge: Instructors must understand wing classifications (EN-A, B, C, D) to ensure students use equipment appropriate for their skill level and prevent the use of incompatible gear.
3. Is it Mandatory?
Yes, it is mandatory at both international and most national levels.
Licensing Requirements: Instructor status cannot be obtained without completing a specialized Instructor Course that includes the aforementioned modules.
Renewal: In many countries (e.g., France, Austria, Switzerland), instructors are required to complete a Refresher Course every 2–3 years to update their knowledge and maintain their teaching license.
