EUROPEAN PROGRESSION TOUR
Big landscapes. A meaningful next step.
16 days / Five flying regions. From the foothills of Monte Grappa to Slovenia and the Dolomites, with room to explore along the way.
Learn as you travel. Site briefings, supported flying and debriefs help turn new experiences into better judgement.
Finish with Lake Garda SIV. Three planned training days over water to develop understanding of your wing.
Sixteen days of purposeful adventure.
25–27 JUNE
Bassano del Grappa
Find your alpine rhythm.
Meet at 9am on 25 June, get to know the group and settle into the foothills of Monte Grappa. Established launches and landing areas provide a starting point for site assessment, thermal practice and familiarisation flights when conditions allow.
Beyond flying: explore Bassano’s old town and wooden bridge, or consider a grappa distillery or Verona visit.
28–30 JUNE
Tolmin or Lijak
Follow the lift into Slovenia.
Depart Bassano at 8am on 28 June. The choice of Tolmin or Lijak follows the weather. Soča Valley scenery and the Vipava Valley’s ridgelines introduce different terrain, thermal sources and landing decisions.
Beyond flying: optional white-water rafting in the Soča Valley, subject to the chosen base and available time.
1–3 JULY
Brunico and Kronplatz
Discover the scale of the Dolomites.
Travel to Brunico on 1 July, with planned flying on 2–3 July before continuing to Pinzolo. Big terrain and changing valley conditions sharpen mountain awareness, flight planning and decisions about when to fly.
Beyond flying: Brunico’s castle and museums, or optional mountain outings such as Tre Cime or Seceda if the schedule allows.
3–6 JULY
Pinzolo
Bring your learning together.
Arrive after Brunico on 3 July and explore a different mountain valley on 4–5 July. Apply what you have learnt about terrain, thermals and approaches. A final half-day is planned before travelling towards Garda around midday on 6 July.
Beyond flying: forest and waterfall walks, with any guided glacier experience arranged separately and subject to conditions.
6–10 JULY
Lake Garda SIV
Get to know your wing.
Prepare on arrival, then spend 7–9 July on the planned SIV programme. Progressive radio-guided exercises are matched to experience and readiness, with the focus on understanding and confidence. Depart on 10 July.
The final offer will specify inclusions, exclusions, optional activity costs and transfer arrangements.
A weather-led adventure. This is our intended route. Sites, flights and daily timings depend on weather, local conditions and pilot readiness. Optional activities are suggestions, not confirmed package inclusions.
Who is this tour for?
You do not need hundreds of hours or previous alpine experience. This tour is for qualified pilots with a solid foundation who want to take their first steps into mountain flying, with guidance, a supportive group and some spectacular places to fly. Build confidence thermalling, understand mountain conditions and make better decisions in unfamiliar terrain.
Launch with confidence
Prepare and launch independently, with reliable ground handling, controlled inflations and the judgement to abort when a launch is not right.
Some thermalling experience
Be comfortable turning in lift and maintaining awareness of other pilots. You do not need to be an accomplished cross-country pilot.
Choose suitable landing areas
Assess wind, slope, obstacles and available space when selecting a landing area.
Land independently
Plan a controlled approach, adjust your circuit and land accurately without relying on radio instructions.
Know your equipment
Manage your equipment and pre-flight checks, using a wing you know and feel comfortable flying.
Know when to sit one out
Recognise your limits and speak up. Choose not to fly when conditions exceed your confidence or ability.
Bring the right approach: be keen to learn, open to feedback and comfortable asking questions. Adapt plans to the weather and the group, and prioritise good decisions over airtime, distance or keeping up with others.
We will help you build your understanding of alpine sites, mountain weather, thermalling and flight planning. This tour builds on independent flying skills. It is not an initial learn-to-fly course.
Not sure whether you are ready?
Register your interest and tell us where you are at. We will talk through your recent flying and goals before offering you a place. No payment or commitment at this stage.
Register my interestTravelling with a non-flying partner? They are welcome to register their interest too. Just let us know they will be joining as a non-flying companion.