What is XC flying and how does it differ from regular flying?

XC (Cross-Country) is route flying — traveling from one point to another using thermals and dynamic lift. Unlike regular flying, XC requires deep meteorological knowledge, navigation skills, and endurance for long flights.

What distances will I fly during the XC course?

Progress during XC is individual. Beginners typically start with 10-20km routes, progressing to 50-80+km routes by course end. The Gudauri region offers ideal XC terrain.

What instruments do I need for XC flying?

XC requires: vario (for thermal detection), GPS tracker (navigation and flight logging), radio, and an XC-optimized flight computer (XCTrack, SeeYou, or similar) is recommended.

X-AcademyAdvanced

XC - Sports Progression Courses (Performance/XC Training/Cross-Country - XC)

This course is designed for those who wish to fly long distances (Cross-Country - XC) and participate in competitions. Key Stages: Thermal Flying: Learning how to locate rising air currents, how to "center" within them, and how to reach maximum altitude effectively. Route Planning: In-depth study of meteorology — reading clouds, calculating wind drift, and constantly searching for "escape" options. Using the Accelerator: Learning how to fly fast and safely in turbulent air using the accelerator (Speed Bar). XC Flights: Completing your first 20, 50, or 100 km routes under the guidance of an instructor (via radio communication).

25 hrs6 modulesCertificate

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XC - Sports Progression Courses (Performance/XC Training/Cross-Country - XC)

What You'll Learn

Advanced thermal optimization

50+ km cross-country flight planning

GPS navigation and track analysis

Convergence zone exploitation

Competition task flying

Airspace management

Requirements

Prerequisites

P3+ certificate
Minimum 100 flights, thermal flying experience

Equipment

EN-B/C paraglider, GPS/vario
XC instruments, reserve parachute, helmet

Physical Requirements

Endurance for 4-8 hour flights, comfort at altitude

Description

The XC Cross-Country course is a sports progression program for pilots ready to master long-distance paragliding flights. This comprehensive training covers thermal optimization, transition strategies between thermals, route planning with topographic and meteorological analysis, GPS navigation, airspace management, and competition task flying. Students learn to read cloud streets, use convergence zones, plan and execute flights of 50+ kilometers, and manage energy during long flights. The practical component includes guided XC flights with real-time radio coaching and post-flight GPS track analysis. Graduates receive APPI XC certification, qualifying them for competitive cross-country flying and organized XC events. This course transforms thermal pilots into true distance flyers.

Course Curriculum

7 modules • 28 lessons • 16 h 30 min

XC Course Objectives & StructureFree30 min

XC Flying Philosophy30 min

Video: XC Flight MotivationFree15 min

Exercise: Setting XC Goals15 min

+2 more modules

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Theory Materials

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Daily Training Syllabus (XC Performance)

The XC Performance (Cross-Country) course daily schedule is an intensive process where theory, practice, and analysis alternate seamlessly. This is not just flying; it is a full working day aimed at developing a pilot's strategic thinking.

4 min

Equipment Standards for XC (Cross-Country) Paragliding

XC (Cross-Country) paragliding requires equipment that allows a pilot to remain in the air for hours, cover vast distances with minimal energy loss, and maintain maximum control in turbulent conditions. For competitive or sport flying, "standard" gear is insufficient—the focus here is on technological superiority.

5 min

General Overview of Performance/XC (Cross-Country) Training

A Performance/XC (Cross-Country) Training Course is the "intellectual" peak of paragliding. While Acro is about physical dynamics, XC is chess in the sky—a discipline where the pilot learns to harness the energy of nature to cover hundreds of kilometers.

5 min

Who Is This Course For

Thermal pilots with P3+ certification

Competition pilots

Long-distance flying enthusiasts