How to hunt thermal ?
– interview with Aurélie Guillet

Data publikacji  : 28.02.2021

Sometimes, they have a distant aim. Every trip is different and each trip is the best for tchem. They avoid hotels or expensive powered paragliders, and take local guides and sleep in a tent.
During such a hunting expedition you can meet an amazing enthusiast of adventure, paragliding pilot – Aurélie Guillet.

Agnieszka Chmielewska : Can you tell us when did you start your adventure with paragliding ?
Aurelie Guillet : I started in 2016 my first tandem flights with an ex-boyfriend and beginning 2017 I started my pilot license.

A Ch : Where did your first meeting with aviation take place ?
A G : In the air ;)

A Ch :Why did you choose paragliding without engine ?
A G : I don't understand the question :) my engine is my wing :) no pollution better than any other motor engine.

A Ch : Where do you usually do paragliding ?
A G : In Switzerland, in our little mountain called “Prealps” and in the Alps.

A Ch : How often do you practice SIV training ?
A G : I did my first SIV this summer.

A Ch : Do you also do other sports ?
A G : Sure I am skitouring, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, running, yoga ...

A Ch : How important is preparation for safe flights ?
A G : Preparation is the key of a safe flight. It’s so important to prepare your flight carefuly in checking weather, forecast, aerology etc.

A Ch : Is it difficult to encourage women to paragliding ?
A G : Depends if they like adventure or not ;) 

A Ch : What methods are used in the prevention of paragliding accidents in your country ?
A G : In Switzerland I think we have a strong training before being able to fly alone. It's minimum 50 flights under the supervision of two instructors within a school. Before being able to fly alone you should pass a theory exam which is quite difficult and a practical exam... then and only if you succeed both you can fly alone. 

A Ch : Is mental support important to you ?
A G : It's important to be strong in his head, to be confident, to be calm. So mental is very important in paragliding. Otherwise, it's dangerous.

A Ch : How to hunt thermal in mountains ?
A G : Many way exists. You can look at the birds, or with experience, you know where the sun hits a cliff, a forest and where there is ascendances. When you find a thermal, you should center it.

A Ch : Where is there the line of safe for you while flying??
A G : I  fly mostly in autumn. Starting mid-august, everything is calmer in the air so we can hike high and fly from high altitude.

More information

Instagram: @vaninounani