You're A Newly Qualified Paragliding Pilot... What’s Next?

Completing a beginner paragliding course like High Adventure’s 9-Day Learn to Paraglide course is a huge milestone. You’ve taken your first steps into free flight, built solid foundations, and proven you can fly safely under instruction.

But completing the course isn’t the end of the journey - it’s the beginning.

Now that you’re a newly qualified PG2 pilot, the focus shifts to gaining experience, refining your skills, and progressing safely as a pilot. Here’s what you should focus on next.

1. Apply for Your SAFA Membership

If you want to paraglide in Australia, you must be a member of the Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA).

SAFA is the body responsible for administering paragliding in Australia. This means SAFA membership is required in order to legally fly a paraglider, and it’s also how your licence level, skills, and experience are formally recognised.

For new pilots, SAFA membership provides:

Certification and recognition of your PG2 rating
Essential insurance coverage
Official recording of your skills, training, and qualifications
Support for clubs and flying sites around Australia
Advocacy for pilots and the sport at a national and international level
Investigation of incidents and accidents when required

Once your instructor has signed you off as a PG2 pilot, applying for SAFA membership is the most important next step - without it, you cannot legally paraglide in Australia. You can apply for your SAFA membership here.

2. Purchase the Right Gear (With Guidance)

At this stage, many new pilots are eager to buy their own equipment - and that’s great - but choosing the right gear matters.

You’ll need:

Wing
Harness
Reserve parachute
Helmet
Radio

This is where experience really counts. High Adventure can provide guidance, and it’s strongly recommended you speak with your course instructor before buying anything. They understand:

Your flying ability
Your learning speed
Your weight range and wing loading
Your future goals (soaring, XC, coastal, inland, travel, etc.)

The right beginner gear will help you progress faster and safer - the wrong gear can slow your development or increase risk.

High Adventure students receive a $400 discount on the purchase of a new paragliding gear set (wing, harness and reserve). If you’d like advice, recommendations, or pricing, just reach out - we’re always happy to help.

3. Join a Local Paragliding Club

Joining your local paragliding club is one of the best things you can do early on.

Clubs provide:

Local site knowledge
Weather briefings and guidance
Mentors and experienced pilots
A flying community to learn from

They’re also where you’ll find supervised flying opportunities, which are essential at the PG2 level.

Our instructors at High Adventure can connect you to your local club after your course.

4. Fly Under Supervision

While holding a PG2 licence, SAFA requires you to fly under supervision.

Supervised flying:

Builds safe habits early
Helps you learn correct site assessment
Provides feedback and decision-making guidance
Increases confidence in a controlled way

This supervision may come from instructors, endorsed supervisors, tours or club days.

5. Gain as Much Experience as Possible

Progress in paragliding comes from regular, consistent flying, not occasional big days.

As a new PG2 pilot, it’s essential to fly only within your current skill level and in conditions you are capable of managing safely. Trying advanced manoeuvres or pushing beyond your experience too early can be dangerous.

Some key tips for building experience safely:

Focus on smooth, controlled launches and landings
Practice ground handling regularly
Log every flight and reflect on what you learned
Gradually expand your skills and confidence as your experience grows

Ground handling, in particular, is something many pilots underestimate - but strong ground handling skills lead to better launches, improved decision making, and more confidence overall.

Consistency, reflection, and safe progression are the most effective ways to continue to develop as a competent and confident pilot.

6. Do a Refresher Day

Even after completing your course, it’s normal to feel a little rusty or want to refine certain skills. High Adventure offers Refresher Days, which are ideal for pilots who haven’t flown for a while or who want to brush up on specific skills and techniques.

During a Refresher Day, you can:

Revisit launch techniques
Refine landing accuracy
Hone your ground handling skills
Correct bad habits before they become big ones
Revisit weather and site assessment
Receive guidance to fly safely and confidently

Refresher Days are a fantastic way to maintain and improve your skills while building confidence for your next flights. Many pilots are surprised how much they improve in a single guided day.

As a bonus, all High Adventure students receive one free Refresher Day within 12 months of course completion.

7. Join a Paragliding Tour

One of the most enjoyable and effective ways to gain experience and develop skills is by joining a paragliding tour.

High Adventure’s annual Bali paragliding tours offer:

Supervised flying hours
Guidance on advanced skills
Daily briefings and debriefs
Consistent flying conditions
A supportive learning environment

Tours are ideal for building hours, skills and confidence - all while having an incredible flying experience.

8. Progress Toward PG3 and Beyond

As you accumulate hours, experience, and skills, you’ll naturally move toward PG3 and higher ratings.

Progression typically involves:

Demonstrating consistent, safe launches and landings
Strong decision-making and site assessment
Sufficient number of flights, airtime and experience in a variety of conditions
Additional training, exams and sign-offs

Your instructors and mentors can help guide you through each step, ensuring you progress safely and confidently.

High Adventure offers free guidance on progression for all pilots who complete our beginner paragliding course. Learn more about advancing through the SAFA licencing levels here.

The Big Picture

Paragliding is not a race - it’s a journey.

The pilots who develop into confident and capable flyers are the ones who:

Fly consistently and safely within their skill level
Practice ground handling regularly
Seek guidance and mentorship from instructors and experienced pilots
Take advantage of opportunities to refine skills and gain supervised flying experience
Log flights and reflect on experiences to build knowledge
Gradually expand skills while maintaining safe progression
Stay humble, seek feedback, and keep learning

At High Adventure, we don’t just train pilots - we help build lifelong aviators. If you ever need guidance on gear, refresher training, tours, or next steps, we’re always here to help.

Welcome to the next chapter of your paragliding adventure!