Vol-Biv Training
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General
For those unfamiliar with the concept, vol-biv is the pinnacle of paragliding: we move through the mountains with our flying and camping gear on our backs, and improvise everything along the way: starts, landing, flights, meals & overnight stays.
We’re on the move for 5 days of hike and fly, 4 nights in the tent below the stars. We walk up the mountain, we take off from anywhere we can or like, and aim for days of 30-50km, depending on the meteo. At the latest in the evening we all come together around the campfire to share a meal and a place to spend the night. Next morning the fun starts all over again!
On day 5 we return to our beginnings & car, by means of public transport or hitch hiking.
For Who?
- 7 pilots with lightweight gear
- Having experience with flights of 30-50km, or who have done an XC course with airsport.
- Certification XC Pilot and IPPI-5 card (this is a required participation condition).
- Being a member and a full BVVF insurance.
- Travel assistance insurance.
- Have your own paragliding material, including a GPS.
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Program
Before
- Material advice: what do I take with me, what do I leave home?
- Test day in Belgium (with check of material and demo).
- Physical preparation group (Strava).
Content
- 3 guides / instructors
- Choice of region, route and start sites according to meteo
- XC Strategy / route
- Route planning of the day
- Guidance for finding a second take off in case of a failed 1st attempt.
- Choice of overnight stay (camping / wild / mountain / refuge / … )
- There will not be a support car following the group for transporting the gear. All progression will be done by flying, walking or hitchhiking.
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Practical
Where?
- The Alps or the Pyrenees, where it’s good at the time. We draw an imaginary circle of 1200 km around Mechelen and find the best place for XC flights and that’s where we go.
Price
€ 495 for 5 days.
Other (non included) expenses:
- Residence
- Own consumption
- All costs are distributed on site
Insurances
Paragliding Insurance
Mandatory. All participants must be members of the BVVF with insurance. Only the paragliding insurance through Aviabel BVVF is valid.
Travel Assistance Insurance
Highly Recommended. Insurance in case you have an accident with paragliding, are in need of medical assistance, and need to be repatriated back home. This is not included in the paragliding insurance. Travel assistance insurance with Europ-Assistance starts at €18.
Cancellation Insurance
Highly Recommended. If you need to cancel the training, for any reason (health reasons, major life events, etc.), you can easily reclaim your registration fee from the insurance company in the event of cancellation on your part. The best formula can be found at Europ-Assistance and can be combined with the above travel assistance.
Cancellation insurance with Europ-Assistance starts at €15.
Sessions
Vol-Biv Training
The full amount will be charged one month before the stage. This deposit is to reserve your spot.
A Vol-Biv training is simple, we cover a distance through the mountains in 4 days, flying or walking, and we carry everything we need on our backs. We will ascend on foot, start from improvised take-offs, and hike'n fly a rout of 30-50km per day, pending the forecast. In the evening we will find each other on a central meeting point for dinner and a bonfire. Next day we start again. The 5th day we try to get back to the car, flying that day will depend on the options to get back.
This training is only for pilots with an XC-license, and your own gear.
The location is not fixed. We decide a few days in advance and go to where the weather is best for XC flying.
More info about the Vol-Biv training here.
Planning
- Driving towards Sunday 30/06
- First training day Monday 01/07
- Last training day Friday 05/07
- Return home Saturday 06/07
Information day
An information day will be organized a few weeks before the training to go over material and provide general information. On the info day we discuss the details of the training, organize a carpool and answer all your questions.
