P4/P5. THERMAL FLYING AND XC
POST P3 CERTIFICATION
First learn to thermal.
Then learn to fly Cross-country.
Two dedicated skill-building clinics at Bir Billing designed for pilots who have completed P3 and want to fly further, higher, and smarter.
Master thermal flying first -then use those skills to pursue your first real cross-country adventures. These clinics build the airmanship you'll need when you're ready to sit your P4 and P5 exams.
2
Clinics in sequence
7
days each clinic
Oct
Peak paragliding season
P3
Prerequisite
ACI / IPPI Recognized
Fly distance of 50+km
Take off from 2200m Elevation
Full-day sessions, not hourly
Why Bir?
The world's finest classroom for thermal flying and Cross-Country Paragliding
Bir Billing, at 2,200 m in the Dhauladhar range, is one of the most sought-after XC sites in the world. October delivers textbook thermals: consistent morning triggers, cloud bases above 4,000 m, and a 60+ km valley corridor to practise real cross-country flying - the perfect environment to build skills you can't develop at a home site.
World-class thermal flying
October brings strong, well-defined thermal columns with bases regularly at 4,000m elevation. Ideal for practicing advanced paragliding skills.
Retrieve infrastructure
Bir has a road running across the base of the ridge. this makes retrieving pilots from multiple locations quite feasible. We have a wide network of local cab drivers to come pick you up. If you are not willing to wait simply ask a local you find and they will get you a cab usually within 10 minutes.
Flying site
The 2 Clinics
Thermal flying and Cross-country next.
These are not courses and they do not award ratings. They are intensive skill-building programs - structured flying time with expert coaching - that develop the airmanship you need to pass your P4 and P5 exams when you're ready. The clinics must be done in sequence: Thermal flying is the foundation that XC flying is built on.
Step 1
Thermal flying clinic
Find lift. Stay high. Fly long
Step 2
XC flying clinic
Plan routes. Fly distance. land safe
When ready
P4 / P5 Exam
At your own pace, on your timeline
Sample week plan
How a typical clinic week unfolds
Each clinic runs for 7 days. Every day is shaped by conditions - mornings belong to the mountain, evenings belong to understanding what happened. The schedule below is representative of the Thermalling Clinic; the XC Clinic follows a similar rhythm with longer flights and retrieve logistics added.
1
Day
Arrival, site orientation and wind assessment
Site walk in Bir Billing. Instructor introductions. What to expect in the course. Weather briefing for the week. differences in flying types. Kiting revision. Theory class.
2
Day
First thermal flying flight- finding the core lift
Supervised flight. Focus on 360° turns. Identifying thermal feel. Identifying thermal triggers. Maintaining safe AGL. Evening Theory and debriefing.
3-6
Day
Gaining air time
We will get as much time in thermic lift to help you learn to core even the most complicated areas of lift. Before and after each session there will be a briefing and theory classes.
7
Day
Assessment flight and course completion briefing
Demonstrate your ability to thermal without help from your instructor. We will conduct a post flight briefing to help you understand your current level and paths of improvement.
BOOKING
How to secure your slot in advance
3 steps from enquiry to start of your paragliding journey
2
WE CONFIRM DETAILS
We will call or message you to confirm dates
3
MAKE PAYMENT
₹49,000/- secures your spot. Payment details shared after date confirmation
When are you ready, exams are waiting.
When you're ready, the exams are waiting. The P4 and P5 examinations are formal assessments taken separately — not at the end of a clinic. The clinics give you the flying hours, the muscle memory, and the situational awareness to walk into those exams genuinely prepared, not just technically eligible. Paragliding Bawas offers the P4/P5 exam separately. After your clinics, your instructors will advise honestly on when you're ready to sit. Our Students for Life commitment means you can return for additional coaching clinics wherever we are operating.
Thermal flying and XC clinics FAQs
Who can join the thermal flying and Cross-country clinics?
Any pilot who has completed P3 and is confident to land in a wide field on their own. The Thermal flying Clinic must come first — you build your thermal flying skills there before moving to the XC Clinic. There is no fixed
Do these clinics give me P4 or P5 ratings?
No — and that's by design. The clinics are dedicated skill-building programmes, not examinations. They develop the airmanship, flying hours, and situational awareness you need to sit your P4 and P5 exams confidently at a later date, on your own timeline. Think of them as serious, structured practice — the foundation on which your exam performance is built.
What is the difference between thermal clinic and XC clinics?
The Thermal flying Clinic is entirely focused on finding lift, staying in it, and flying efficiently within thermals — the skill that transforms a recreational glider into a pilot who can go wherever the sky allows. The XC Clinic builds on that foundation: it covers route planning, line selection, weather reading for distance flights, retrieve logistics, and the real-time decisions that define cross-country flying. They are designed to be done in order.
Is equipment provided, or do i need my own?
School-grade intermediate wings, helmets, and radios are available for rent with prior notice. You will be required to travel with the equipment yourself and will be responsible for its safety. We strongly recommend attending with your own equipment if you have one (we can also help you purchase equipment) - flying familiar equipment in challenging conditions accelerates learning considerably. All equipment must be within its service life and carry a valid certification sticker.
Why do the clinics run in October specifically?
October at Bir Billing is the sweet spot: the post-monsoon air is clean, thermals are strong and well-formed, cloud bases regularly exceed 4,000 m, and wind speeds are predictable. It's the same window used by competitive advanced pilots chasing personal distance records — which means it's also the best environment to learn in.
What if weather prevents flying on some days?
Bir Billing rarely has consecutive no-fly days in October. On marginal days we run extended ground school, Skew-T analysis workshops, GPS track reviews, and kiting practice. Every hour on the ground builds skills that make the flying days more productive.
If we do get constant days of no flying we can extend the trip. Plan 2-3 extra days for your course.