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25 jaar
Flying forecast

Overview paragliding licenses

Our umbrella organisation, the Royal Dutch Aviation Association (KNVvL for short) issues a "Paragliding Pilot License" (PgPL) which distinguishes between ratings (levels) 1, 2 and 3 - each with different launch methods. In order to simplify the terminology we will call these "License 1", "License 2" and "License 3".

  • License 1
  • License 2, with launch method tow and/or mountain and/or soaring
  • License 3, with launch method tow and/or mountain and/or soaring

Paragliding Holland provides courses for all the above licenses! If you have a question about applying for your license, look here.

License 1

With License 1, no distinction is made between towing, mountain flying or soaring. You can apply for License 1 after you have made 15 flights and have successfully completed a limited theory exam with us. For winching, of the 15 flights, you must have made 5 flights of (at least) 200 meters altitude. For mountain flying, of the 15 flights, you must have made 5 flights of an altitude of (at least) 300 meters. However, license 1 does not entitle you to fly independently!

License 2, launch method tow and/or mountain

This license gives you the authority to fly independently. It consists of 4 parts:

  • A total of at least 40 high altitude flights (of which 20 above 500m and 20 above 300m)
  • A successfully completed task list
  • A successfully completed national theory exam theory exam (English exam available!)
  • An airworthiness statement from one of our instructors
  • If we refer to a "B2" license, that means License 2 with a mountain rating (B derives from the dutch word "berg")

The 40 altitude flights must be made under the supervision of our instruction team. For this you can join us all year round, both on the winch terrain and in the mountains. The national theory exam is taken three times a year and is the same for soaring, winching and mountain flying.

License 3, launch method tow and/or mountain

To obtain License 3 (winch or mountain) you must make at least 150 high altitude flights, at the winch or in the mountains. In addition, there are the following requirements, including:

  • min 50 flying hours
  • min 10 hours of thermal flying
  • min 15 cross country flights of min. 10 km
  • front tuck with correct exit
  • 50% collapse
  • 2 descending techniques, one of min 3 m / s and one of min 6 m/s
  • If we refer to a "B3" license, that means License 3 with a mountain rating (B derives from the dutch word "berg")

For an overview of the latest practical requirements, refer to the KNVvL website.