„ From zero to hero, from Ground School up
to the Infinity Tumbling “– interview
with Brazilian Paragliding Instructor Fabio Fava
Data publikacji : 24.02.2020
The SIV course is not a compulsory training in Poland, and after such practice, we become an experienced pilot.
SIV stands for "Simulation d'Incidents de Vols" and roughly translated means simulating unstable situations, potentially dangerous in flight. Such threats are wing deflation, front stall, wingovers, and spirals. Training procedures go far to check how the security parachute works. A valuable exercise is to acquire good control of the stall point to build confidence. The lack of if this control means that experienced pilots "shake hands" at the thought of doing all these things. A pilot has to perform wing stall dozens of times, as well as asymmetric collapse, spin, and other maneuvers, therefore SIV courses should be repeated frequently. It would be best if you start thinking about SIV already at the training stage, before obtaining your paraglider pilot license. Improper mastering of the wing's response to these types of situations can miserably affect the fly experience or stop the development of flying for the pilot. Rebuilding the psyche is long, tedious, and without any guarantee for success.
I invite you to read an interesting interview with an experienced pilot - Fabio Fava. He is a big lover of extreme air sports and his skills, knowledge and optimist after accident can help you choose a safe way of flying.
Fabio owns website fabiofava.com. In 1996, at the age of 21, he managed to learn paragliding. In 2000, he became the first Brazilian professional acrobatic paragliding pilot, and has been competing for the world acrobatic pilots ranking – WAPR – of the International Airsports Federation – FAI –, obtaining 4th and 5th places on competitions of the international paragliding aerobatics circuit. In 2012 he ended with a nice 12th general place.
He stopped competing in 2007 because his passion is to fly, not to compete, being this environment stressful: every participant's goal is to beat the others. He has started skydiving in 2011 and BASE jumping in 2012 when he had the turn-point of his life experiencing a serious accident. Where most people don’t survive this kind of event, Fabio was lucky, but with severe damage on his lower limbs.
In 2013 after 5 surgeries, he has realized that his right foot would not recover from this accident. He would have to use crutches for the rest of his life. Even worse, an obstacle for doing acro paragliding and skydiving, his real passions. He took the hard decision to have it amputated with no regrets at all.
After 6 months from the amputation he was back flying paragliding and other 4 months later he was doing again acrobatic paragliding maneuvers. After one year he resumed skydive. In 2018 he moved to live at the place he was dreaming for nearly 15 years, Organya in Catalunya (north Spain). Now life goes on the way he has planned and worked very hard to build.
Agnieszka Chmielewska: Why did you choose aviation without engine (free-flying)?
Fabio Fava: That was the way I was able to learn to fly, mostly for financial limitations. I wanted so much to fly, then paragliding came into my life and everything has changed after that.
fabiofava.com
A Ch: Why did you decide to become an SIV trainer?
F F: I’m an advanced paragliding instructor, focused mostly on safety and acrobatics. When I was learning acro I needed a safe system for my learning, and so I developed the concept of Fly Yoga Safety Training, and any pilot can improve mastering paragliding.
A Ch: What skills and knowledge need a person applying for a paraglider license in your country? How long does the practical and theoretical training last in your country?
F F: Paragliding licenses and requirements are variable from one country to another, it’s impossible to set a “common ground”. My basic paragliding course teaches a student to be proficient (develop skills) on all 3 stages of the learning process: ground handling, school hills and autonomous flights. The duration of a course is also variable from country to country, and even from one school to another.
My paragliding learning course is composed basically of 30 classes, both theoretical and practical. More classes may be added as needed, but normally a student can have its first flight after a couple weeks if we practice every day. Otherwise it can take longer to accomplish the 30 classes included in the basic learning course.
fabiofava.com
A Ch: Do you remember an accident day? Could you describe it in more detail?
F F: My crash was on a BASE jump. I’ve jumped from Monte Brento in northern Italy, and after a good flight I had what we call a “no-pull-find”, which means the skydiver couldn’t find or couldn’t pull the pilot chute to deploy his/her parachute. I should say the “mother mistake” is “complacency”: we think we are much better than we actually are. This causes many accidents, death, and suffering for the families of the deceased ones. But when you really love doing something, no one can say you shouldn’t do it… Luckily I’ve pulled in time to save my life, but after 1 year I’ve decided to amputate my right-foot in order to get back to flying and jumping.
A Ch: Can you give some advice in general after the BASE jump accident?
F F: Basically I should state “don’t BASE jump” if you won't be safe, is as simple as that. But humans are stubborn creatures, we mostly insist and do it. Get acknowledged, most BASE jumpers have died or will die doing a BASE jump. The crucial lessons: take time, no rush, get a good and reliable mentor, someone that would stay with you to the end if you make a mistake and die. Someone who will call your family and bring you back to them. It’s harsh to say. BASE jumping is a serious and dangerous, as it’s amazing. Never do a jump if you’re not 100% sure you can land safely.
A Ch: Did prosthesis help you to get back to flying?
F F: Definitely, without the prosthetic foot it would be very complicated.
A Ch: Acro flying is a passion or addiction for you?
F F: Flying is my love, acro is something I’ve learned since 2000 I just can’t drop. I plan to do as long as my mind and my body can keep the excitement and safety based on technique. Most people describe their sport as passion, but passion comes and goes. Flying for me is the love of my life, so it’s something like the jewel of my eyes. I just love flying.
A Ch: How important is practice Simulated Incident in Flight for safe flights?
F F: SIV Trainings are the very first step to understand what and where are the limits of the flying envelope of the paraglider. One who has experienced multiple times is prepared, but in no way, an SIV will actually prepare a pilot: it’s just a discovery. After trying their first stalls and flybacks, it’s mandatory to adopt a real Training System to master paragliding. Fly Yoga.
A Ch: What are kind maneuvers exercise during this course?
F F: Fly Yoga is composed of 6 exercises, 3 of them are to Master the Stall and Fly Back - the most important and effective tools on our paraglider pilot’s toolbox - and the other 3 are about to experience and Master the 3 Movements of the Paraglider: Pitch, Roll & Yaw.
A Ch: Can students also practice using a rescue parachute during this course?
F F: No. A parachute deployment is done on SIV training, over water, with a boat to rescue and a rescue vest. And I encourage all future Fly Yoga students to do one or two SIV training, being the last one a couple months maximum before coming to Master their paragliders.
A Ch: Can this course help to improve (fix) mental pilot i.e. derives pleasure flying?
F F: Ultimately, this is one of my main goals. I’m learning since I became a paragliding advanced instructor in 2002 to encourage people, help them to defy their fears and insecurities. If done inside strict safety rules and general behavior, paragliding is safe and pleasant.
That’s it, I hope I can help the Polish people to increase their safety on ram-air wings. The Fly Yoga Training System was also tested on Skydiving and BASE parachutes, they’re all pendular wings like our loved paragliders.
Last but not least: all my courses and coaching are tailored also for teaching girls - from zero to hero, from Ground School up to the Infinity Tumbling - so girls have no fear! Go for an SIV and then come here to Organya to Master your Paraglider at full !
I wish you all great and safe flights and a lot of fun in your airtime! Cheers !
A Ch: I wish you all the best and safe flights too !