VOLUNTARY INSTRUCTORS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR CLUBS. FOR THIS REASON THEIR COMMITMENT DESERVES THE RECOGNITION OF THE FEDERATION FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK , OFTEN CARRIED OUT TO THE DETRIMENT OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL GLIDING ACTIVITY.

The implication of these instructors in club activity takes many and varied forms. BIA training, presence on the airfield, double-seater flights for beginner pilots or on simulators. They are involved at all levels in the daily club activities, in glider training, in the development and the future of our sport.

Far from the « grands vols » on the latest high-performance gliders, they nevertheless remain, at the commands of their Twin or their ASK13, the trainers of our future champions! At the end of the day, after making sure all the machines have been safely returned to their hangars, they are pleased and proud to listen to the stories told by their young pilots, the ones they have so patiently trained and guided in their gliding development.

The implication and dedication to our sport of certain instructors deserves our admiration and our respect. For this reason the FFVP decided to reward the most committed of these voluntary instructors by offering them a personnalised course at the CNVV in St Auban, in order for them to be able to fully enjoy a moment of gliding for themselves, away from their usual club responsibilities.

In 2021, 5 instructors were the worthy and happy recipients of this operation. François Bourgeon, Denis Brimont, Pierre Caruel, Paul Debarnot and Benjamin Hardy. Under the attentive wing of Eric Napoléon, French Team Coach, and Eric Bernard, President of the club of Bordeaux and a member of the French Gliding Team.

This week was dedicated to the pleasure of gliding, the opportunity of flying in high-performance machines (Ventus 2C FES, ASG29, JS1, Arcus), and it also covered the revision of various subjects related to sporting activities and all this – above all – in a fun and friendly atmosphere !