To become a paragliding instructor, it's not enough to complete simple courses or accumulate flight hours.
The instructor status is obtained through the validation of the DEJEPS Vol Libre (State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education, and Sports) or DESJEPS Vol Libre (Higher State Diploma of Youth, Popular Education, and Sports).
To access these training programs, certain prerequisites are required:
> A medical certificate confirming no medical contraindication to paragliding practice.
> A clean criminal record.
> An advanced pilot's license.
> PSC1 first aid certificate (Level 1 Prevention and Civic Rescue).
> At least 5 days of validated observation stage within the last three years under the guidance of a paragliding instructor.
> Achievements in competitions or long-distance flights.
In addition to these basic criteria, which already require a good paragliding flight experience, a selection test is organized with various tests to finalize the selection process for entering the program. Candidates are assessed on physical, technical, theoretical, and interpersonal aspects.
Once in training, the future paragliding instructor alternates between a paragliding school for practical aspects and continues to deepen their theoretical skills in parallel.
This training is possible at the ENSA (National School of Skiing and Mountaineering), with alternating periods spent in paragliding schools, centers, or associations.
The Higher State Diploma (DESJEPS) is the highest diploma that can be obtained in the field of free flight and paragliding. Additional skills related to training coordination, training systems, business development, etc., are acquired during the training. The future instructor must also complete a comprehensive project to validate the paragliding training.