What XC paragliding coaching in Portugal looks like
The XC Coaching Programme is built around one goal: helping you fly further and understand why. Whether you join for a few days or a full week, it follows the best cross-country conditions across inland Portugal, from the plains of the south to the mountains of the centre and the north. Every morning Behrooz reads the RASP thermal model and synoptic charts and sets a task that matches the day and your level; private transfers to every launch are included.
Behrooz is in the air with you, not watching from the ground. An active competition pilot with more than 20 years of flying, he positions himself in the next thermal ahead, calls back climb rates on the radio and talks you through route choices and transitions in real time. On strong days you fly goal-and-return or triangle tasks; on lighter days you learn to work weak thermals, tight streets and low saves — the skills that turn short flights into real cross-country distance.
Every evening is a track-log debrief: you load your IGC file, mark the key decisions and work through what the air was doing — which climbs were worth taking, where you lost time and how to read Portugal’s dry-season thermals. With a maximum of 6 pilots, everyone gets real radio time in the air and personal feedback on the ground, and you go home with a clear plan for your next flights.
Inland Portugal, the ideal classroom for cross-country paragliding
Inland Portugal is one of the finest cross-country paragliding regions in Europe — and one of the best places to learn XC. Hot, dry summers build strong, reliable thermals, cloudbases climb above 2,000 metres in peak season, and wide, open countryside offers safe outlanding fields almost everywhere. XC coaching runs from April to October, with the strongest conditions from July to September.
Each region teaches something different. The Alentejo plains are perfect for your first long distance flights and for learning to read thermals over flat land; the Serra da Estrela and central Portugal add mountain flying, convergence lines and altitude; and northern Portugal brings valley systems and new terrain. Coaching across all of them makes you a more complete, more confident XC pilot.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & XC task briefing
- Live radio coaching on every flight
- Behrooz flies with the group
- Live track monitoring during XC flights
- Evening track-log debrief, every day
- RASP & weather-reading sessions
- Private transfer to every launch, daily
- Full outlanding retrieval
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Bad-weather plan on low-forecast days
Before you come
XC flying puts specific demands on your equipment and preparation — sort these before you travel.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card — Behrooz checks every pilot's qualification before the first flight. A photo on your phone is fine.
Your equipment
Bring your own glider, harness with reserve and helmet — there is no equipment rental on the XC programmes. Have the glider checked and the reserve repacked within the last 12 months: the Alentejo plains are no place to discover a porosity problem.
GPS variometer
A GPS vario is essential for the daily XC tasks. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know before you come — he can advise on options. A basic Bluetooth vario paired to XCTrack works fine.
Radio
Radios are provided free for every pilot, on every flight. If you have your own handheld already set up, bring it — it saves setup time on day one. Spare batteries recommended.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won't cover XC paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it before you travel — most national paragliding associations offer one. Check it covers outlanding retrieval distances.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS). Behrooz agrees the meeting point and any airport transfer with you when you confirm your dates — all transfers between flying sites are included.
Frequently asked questions
What XC experience level is required?
A B-licence or national equivalent and a few thermal flights. You don't need XC experience — the programme builds your skills step by step.
What XC distances can I expect on this programme?
Typically 30–80+ km, depending on conditions. The focus is better decisions rather than distance — Behrooz sets daily targets to match your level.
Where does XC coaching take place?
Across inland Portugal: the Alentejo, central Portugal and the Serra da Estrela, and northern Portugal. Behrooz chooses the region each day from the forecast.
When is the best time for XC coaching in Portugal?
From April to October, with the strongest thermals and highest cloudbases from July to September.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Your own glider, harness with reserve, helmet and a GPS variometer — there is no equipment rental. Radios are provided free for every pilot.
How is XC coaching different from the Portugal XC Tour?
XC Coaching is structured skill development: personal goals, live radio coaching and a daily track-log debrief. The Portugal XC Tour is about flying great terrain together, with Behrooz as your guide and no coaching agenda.
Is private transport to the inland flying sites included?
Yes — daily transfers and full outlanding retrieval are included. No rental car needed, and no pilot is left in a field.
How does the real-time radio coaching work?
Every pilot has a radio on Behrooz's frequency. He guides you in real time — thermals, transitions and key decisions — and each evening you review your track logs together.
How does payment work?
Payment goes directly to Behrooz — no booking platforms, no agencies and no deposit. You usually pay once your programme is over, and only for the days you actually fly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation on all programmes. If you've already paid, you get a full refund — just send a WhatsApp message or email.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Behrooz always has a backup plan and moves to wherever is flyable. On a day nothing can be flown, you aren't charged the day rate — only reasonable administrative or transport costs may apply.