Tandem pilot

Share your passion !

Tandem pilot courses

You’ve been a licensed pilot for several years and you’ve acquired a solid flying experience?

Now you want to share your passion for paragliding?

Tandem pilot training is a great adventure that will enable you to improve your skills and take passengers. It is divided into two steps: Tandem 1 and Tandem 3.

Tandem 1 is the first step towards the professional tandem qualification (Tandem 3). A few prerequisites must be fulfilled before you can take passengers on flights, including a solo test. Once you have completed Tandem 1 training, you can only take passengers who already have a solo pilot’s licence in order to train for the second stage. The “Tandem Rookie” module allows you to start tandem flying in complete safety with professionals, while enjoying benefits such as cheaper training flights. Ideal for getting prepared for the exams and for those who need more training flights than the minimum required by the FSVL.

Tandem 3 is the professional qualification for tandem pilots. It is mandatory in Switzerland to take passengers who do not have a solo paragliding pilot’s licence, even outside a commercial context. Tandem 2 is a step down from Tandem 3 for pilots who are no longer actively involved in tandem flying. It is therefore not a stage in tandem pilot training. Once completed, Tandem 3 training allows you to fly with any type of passenger, with or without remuneration. The “Pro Pilot” module allows you to improve your level of tandem flying in complete safety with professionals, while enjoying benefits such as cheaper training flights. Ideal for getting prepared for the exams and for those who need more training flights than the minimum required by the FSVL.

Tandem licence 1

Here are the steps required to obtain your Tandem 1 licence:

 

    1. Step No1: Before starting tandem training flights, a test called “solo flight” must be passed. The “solo flight” technical exam is relatively challenging and requires intensive training. Fly Riviera offers pilots personalised preparation for this exam. This coaching is organised in consultation with the pilot, according to his needs and expectations. Before taking the solo flight exam, pilots must absolutely fulfill the following conditions in order to be admitted:
        • Have held a Swiss pilot’s licence for at least 2 years.
        • Have completed at least 200 solo flights since obtaining the pilot’s licence (documented).
        • Have completed a cross-country flight of at least 50km.
        • Have completed an SIV course with an FSVL-certified SIV instructor (no more than 3 years old).
        • Type of exam: practical, 7 solo flights with preparation, figure in flight and landing accuracy, given by the FSVL. 
        • Once this examination has been passed: the student tandem pilot may begin tandem training flights with licensed pilots (Swiss pilot’s licence) under the supervision of a paragliding instructor.
    2. Stage 2: Practical training as a tandem pilot can begin:
        • The first part takes place on a groundhandling school slope with a passenger to learn how to get used to the tandem equipment and how to manage a passenger during take-off. The passenger must have a Swiss solo pilot’s licence.
        • An instructional tandem flight is made with a tandem instructor to complete the knowledge of passenger management in flight and on landing.
        • A minimum of 20 tandem training flights must be completed under the supervision of an instructor before attempting the Tandem 1 exam. Throughout the training period, the passenger must have a Swiss solo pilot’s licence. Flights must be made exclusively under the supervision of an instructor.
    3. Stage 3: The student tandem pilot can attempt the practical examination for tandem 1 :
        • Type of exam: practical, 2 tandem flights with preparation, figure in flight and landing accuracy, given by the FSVL.
        • During the examination, the passenger must have a Swiss solo pilot’s licence.
        • Once the exam has been passed, the student obtains a level 1 tandem licence, which is valid for life. It gives the right to fly independently with other pilots as passengers (or with students under the supervision of a flight instructor).

Rates for Level 1 tandem licences

 

Module

“Tandem Rookie”

1 groundhandling session

+

1 educational tandem flight with an instructor

+

25 tandem training flights

800 CHF

Your advantages :

5 flights offered by Fly Riviera!

+

additional tandem training flights at the special rate of CHF 25!

 

Price by flight

” Tandem flight training “

CHF 30 / flight
Training for the “solo exam” CHF 25 / flight

Transport to the take-off area and equipment are not included in the above prices, except for the educational tandem flight.

Tandem licence 3

Requirements: Before starting training for Tandem 3, you must have passed your Tandem 1 certificate and be at least 20 years old.

The training consists of 3 stages that must be completed before attempting the final practical test. These stages can be completed in any order.

 

Here are the steps to obtain your Tandem 3 licence:
    1. Theoretical exam :
        • The theory test is constructed in the same format as the theory test for pilots. It includes in addition the “Passenger supervision” section. The exams are set up by the FSVL.
    2. Passenger management course :
        • An additional course on passenger management during tandem flights. It is given by the FSVL.
    3. Tandem training flights:
        • A minimum of 30 tandem training flights must be completed under the supervision of an instructor before attempting the Tandem 3 exam. During this training, the passenger must have a Swiss solo pilot’s licence or be in training at a paragliding school in Switzerland. Flights with student pilots must be carried out exclusively under the supervision of an instructor.
        • An unlimited number of tandem training flights may be made with a Swiss-licensed pilot. The aim is to gain as much experience as possible before flying with people with no paragliding experience.
Final exam :

Once the 3 conditions above have been completed, the student tandem pilot can attempt the practical examination for the tandem 3 :

      • Type of exam: practical, 3 tandem flights with preparation, figure in flight and landing accuracy, given by the FSVL.
        During the examination, the passenger must have a Swiss solo pilot’s licence. If the passenger is a student, a written authorisation from his/her paragliding instructor is required.
      • Once you have passed the exam, you will have completed your training as a professional tandem pilot. It allows you to fly with any type of passenger, with or without remuneration.

Rates for Level 3 tandem licences

 

Module

“Pro pilot”

 

40 tandem training flights included if the “Tandem Rookie” module is completed

or

35 tandem training flights included

CHF 900

Your advantages:

10 free flights for “Tandem Rookie” 🤩

or

5 flights offered by Fly Riviera!

+

additional tandem training flights at the preferential rate of CHF 25!

 

Price per flight

” tandem training flights”

CHF 30 / flight

Transport to the take-off area and equipment are not included in the above prices.