Paragliding course on Monte Grappa

ASD Manta uses state-of-the-art teaching methods to make your introduction to free flight simple, enjoyable, fun and safe.

Our instructors and tandem pilots are highly qualified and continuously updated, so that our students get the very best training.

Our teaching methods integrate the best of modern technology: the school’s brand-new classroom is equipped with a video projector for theory lessons and a simulator for ground exercises. During practical sessions, video cameras record the exercises so that progress can be analysed in real time. If you are short on time, you can follow the classroom lessons from home via live streaming. Interactive quizzes let you check your progress before you sit the exam.

The picture is completed by a large fleet of modern, well-maintained flight equipment, in different sizes and performance classes to suit each student’s skill level.

 

We have a single goal: to give our students the very best.

PARAGLIDING COURSE
Under Law 106 of 25 March 1985 and Presidential Decree (DPR) 133 of 2010, in order to attend a free-flight course and take the exam for the pilot certificate, you must enrol in an Italian school certified by the Aero Club d’Italia. A.S.D. Manta is an affiliated body holding certification no. 4VL (now renumbered 243). At the end of the course, the Aero Club d’Italia authorises the exam to be held and, if you pass, issues the pilot certificate to the new pilot.

Course eligibility requirements:

Be an Italian citizen, a citizen of an EU Member State, or a citizen of a country with which a reciprocity agreement exists, provided you are resident in Italy with a regular residence status. Be at least 18 years old, or at least 16 with the legally required consent of the person holding parental authority.

 

Documents required:

  • Enrolment application.
  • Medical certificate (issued under DPR 133/2010), to be obtained before the start of the preparatory activity. It may be issued by a forensic medical institute of the Italian Air Force, a local health authority (ASL), an Air Force medical officer, or a physician specialised in sports medicine or in aviation and space medicine.
  • Police clearance (nulla osta) from the Questura (provincial police headquarters) of your place of residence. The application for this document must already have been submitted before starting practical training. The clearance itself must be obtained and presented before taking the final exam.
Downloads
Medical certificate template
Police clearance (nulla osta) request template
Syllabi and regulations

School regulations

Theory syllabus

Practical syllabus

Training objectives

Paragliding course structure

PHASE ONE

Practical training on the school’s training hill, covering basic techniques, at least one instructional tandem flight with the instructor, and 15 radio-assisted high-altitude flights. Indicative duration is 5 to 10 days, depending on weather and attendance. Theory lessons cover: ground handling field work, flying techniques 1, equipment and instruments, and regulations. Ten hours of classroom theory are included. This is the introductory level, so to speak. Many people are fascinated by this sport but their knowledge of it is often limited, partly because of the schools. With this training step we aim to fill that gap. Students become familiar with the equipment and make their first flights, so they understand what the sport really involves. The purpose of this phase is to give everyone the chance to gain a minimum of experience and decide, on objective grounds, whether this sport is for them. If the answer is “Yes, I love this sport!”, the student must then obtain the pilot certificate in order to fly independently. They therefore move on to the following phases of the course, which are considerably more demanding and aim to make them a paraglider pilot.

PHASE TWO

Runs from the 11th to the 45th high-altitude flight. It starts with refining take-off and landing techniques, includes reverse launch techniques and the perfecting of the exam maneuvers. It concludes with an introduction to soaring flight and preparation for the final exam. A second tandem flight is also included. Duration ranges from 10 to 20 days (which can be spread over time according to the student’s personal needs). A further 20 hours of theory cover: meteorology 1 and 2, aerodynamics 1 and 2, first aid and physiopathology, flying techniques 2, 3 and 4, reserve parachute packing, exam simulations and revision, for a total of about 30 classroom hours.

PS: There is no limit on the number of flights for students who own their personal equipment.

The complete course includes

  • Third-party liability (R.C.T.) and personal accident insurance (valid for 8 months).
  • Paragliding manual, quiz book and other printed and online teaching material.
  • Use of school equipment (wing, harness, reserve parachute, helmet, radio) for the whole duration of the course.
  • 20 shuttle rides back up to launch.
  • Radio assistance for the whole duration of the course.
  • In-depth theory lessons and lessons for obtaining the pilot licence.
  • Pre-exam for the pilot licence.
  • Official Aero Club d’Italia exam for the VDS (recreational and sport flying) pilot licence.
  • Annual membership of the Volo Libero Montegrappa club and the Flycard, granting free access to the facilities of the Vivere il Grappa tourism consortium.
  • Annual membership of FIVL, the Italian national association of free-flight pilots.

The fee does not include

  • Costs of producing the required documents (medical certificate and police clearance).
  • The €250.00 payment to the Aero Club d’Italia for the issue of the certificate, once the exam has been passed.
  • Renewal of the insurance policy if the course lasts more than 8 months.

Schedule

The theory part takes place on Saturday or Sunday (whichever date gets the most sign-ups from students) in the school classroom. On request, the lesson can also be repeated on weekdays. Since 2013 it has also been possible to follow lessons remotely, and the recordings remain available online for revision. The school is available for practical lessons five days a week, typically from Friday to Tuesday, but days may change according to students’ needs and the weather: each student can tailor their participation to their own commitments. The initial part, the ground handling session on the training hill, runs from about 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm; the remainder, i.e. the actual flights, takes place early in the morning and in the late afternoon. Times vary with the season. Additional weekday lessons can be organised at students’ request.

Limited enrolment

Demand is very high, but we have chosen to focus strongly on the quality of instruction rather than on the number of newly licensed pilots (for us it is above all a passion, not an industrial business!). The maximum number of participants is capped at 9 students per day of activity. This number may be lower in the first days of the course, when students need closer supervision.

 

Calendar

The school is active all year round and is always available for information, tandem flights and other activities. The first basic course of the year usually starts in February, with exams scheduled for June (weather and individual attendance permitting). The next course usually starts in late August. Between courses, guided trips (of one or more days) are organised, open to newly licensed and experienced pilots. The aim is to grow together, build a group and, above all, have fun.

Location

Flights take place mainly on Monte Grappa, between the provinces of Treviso and Vicenza. The school also has a private site in the Marostica/Conco area. During the course, trips to nearby sites are also planned, in particular Campo Tures, Feltre and Meduno, which, together with Borso del Grappa, are official exam venues.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

Verified Google reviews

M

Marco

4 months ago

★★★★★

Competence, courtesy and reliability. Highly recommended shop for anyone passionate about the sport. The owner is an excellent instructor with years of experience, based in a location many would envy!

A

Jennie

10 months ago

★★★★★

Had the best time with the team at Manta! First time doing something like this, and they made me feel completely safe while keeping it fun. The views over Bassano are absolutely breathtaking.

L

Mauro

5 years ago

★★★★★

I passed my flight exam thanks to Fabio! He explains things brilliantly, especially the theory. Three months of course and I had my licence in hand. Now I'm having a blast!

G

Andrea

4 years ago

★★★★★

The best paragliding school in the whole area. Equipment is always modern and available. The methodology of Fabio and his instructors is a winner and safety-oriented. This is where I learned to fly!

S

Davide

5 years ago

★★★★★

A magnificent experience. Fabio is a very competent instructor, and Nadia is precise and caring at launch. The flexibility on days and times makes it possible to fit the course around work commitments. Safety is never underestimated. I recommend this school!

R

Davide

8 months ago

★★★★★

Great school, with a highly skilled and passionate instructor and assistants. The learning phases are very clear and extremely well organised!

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Contact us for more information
Information request - Contact us Manta Paragliding School And Store