Flight School

The key to years of safe and fun flying is proper knowledge and training. Most pilots leave the tutelage of their instructors too early… while there is still much to be learned.

At the Torrey Pines Gliderport, we focus on providing continued education programs to students and pilots. Knowledge is empowering, and a P1, P2, P3, P4 or Powered Paragliding certification doesn’t mean that there’s nothing else to learn. We emphasize the student for life principle. We’re all students and there’s always something new to learn.

Beginner P1 Certification

The P1 certification program is designed to introduce you to the joys of paragliding.  Your training will include classroom theory, on field ground training and 5-8 flights from the cliffs of Torrey Pines. Learn more about the P1 program!

Novice P2 Certification

The P2 certification program builds upon the fundamentals introduced in the P1 program. The program is based on an extensive 160 hour curriculum, which most students complete in 15-20 days.  The training includes advanced ground handling, lots of classroom and theory sessions, 30 – 45 flights, hours of airtime under radio supervision with an instructor.  Students will fly at Torrey Pines but also be introduced to other local flying sites. Learn more about the P2 program!

P1+P2 Combo

Most students who sign up at Torrey, sign up for the P1+P2 combo package. This is the most popular package because there’s a discount, and because a P2 rating is the rating required to fly by yourself.  The Gliderport maintains higher standards for our training program than the US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association requirements.  Don’t be fooled by schools that offer a P2 in 7 days or the ability to fly on your first day of training.

Many schools rush you through the training program, providing only the bare minimum of instruction so they can sell you gear. At Torrey Pines, we believe in a lifetime of education and believe that spending more time focusing on the fundamentals will give you a more enjoyable experience in the long run. We will train you to the same standards that we used to teach the 2014 US National Champion, the US Acrobatics Champion, the World Acrobatics record holder and many more.
Receive over $400 of equipment with the P1+P2 Combo package. Learn more about the P1+P2 combo program!

Intermediate P3 Certification

The TPG Team certifies off more P3 pilots than any other program in North America.  We are the only school with a structured P3 (Intermediate) training program.  Our P3 program takes about 20 days to complete. We have very high expectations of our P3 students. Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll be comfortable flying anywhere in the world. Learn more about the P3 program!

Instructor and Tandem Mentoring

The Gliderport wants to mentor you and help you become a better instructor and tandem pilot.  The Torrey Pines Gliderport is the largest tandem operation in the world and one of the largest schools. We will provide all of our internal material to through the mentor program. Click here to learn about being mentored!