01 / FranceSPL licence training
Basic glider handling, understanding flight and a step-by-step approach to independent decision-making.
First stepsAbout the programme
France / Namibia
Gliding lessons
From your first flights to confident cross-country flying. Individual training with an instructor in the Southern Alps and Namibia.
Choose a programmeMy approach to trainingNot just knowing how to do it,
Not just knowing how to do it,
but understanding why.
My role goes beyond teaching flying skills. I aim to build a solid foundation that allows each student to continue developing independently as a pilot.
More about my approach
Observe. Understand. Decide.
Three programmes
Your next flight
01 / France
02 / Southern AlpsCross-Country Flying in the Alps
A detailed look at the forecast, an informed choice of route and an analysis of the flight afterwards.
Cross-country trainingAbout the programme
03 / Bitterwasser, NamibiaNamibia: a thousand kilometres and beyond
Long-distance cross-country flying at high average speeds, and a chance to discover what gliding can offer over desert, mountains and bushland.
Long-distance flyingAbout the programme
Your instructor
Dmitry Borovyk
Gliding instructor and examiner (EASA)
40 years of flying
16,000+ flight hours
I started gliding at the age of 15. I have 40 years of flying experience and more than 16,000 flight hours.
I hold the French state diploma DEJEPS in sports coaching, specialising in gliding (perfectionnement sportif, mention vol à voile).
I am a nine-time overall Ukrainian champion and have competed at World, European and French Championships on numerous occasions. In 2011, I won the Open Class at the Mountain Soaring World Cup in Vinon-sur-Verdon.
In recent years, I have been involved in organising competitions in Vinon-sur-Verdon: setting tasks and, more recently, providing weather support.
I have been awarded the bronze instructors' medal of honour by FFVP, the French Gliding Federation.
Alongside my Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL), I hold microlight (ULM) and private pilot (PPL) licences. I also fly aeroplanes and helicopters.
I teach in Russian, Ukrainian, English or French. You can choose the language you are most comfortable with.
Professional registration in France
Carte professionnelle d’éducateur sportif no. 08323ED0158.
Check the official registerMy approach to training
A solid foundation
01
Preparation and discipline
Flight begins on the ground. I teach students to see preparation, flying discipline and strict adherence to rules and procedures as essential parts of every flight.
02
Theory and understanding
I want students to understand the processes involved, not simply carry out the required actions. That is why I give attention to theoretical knowledge, particularly aerodynamics and meteorology. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions in the air.
03
Safety and enjoyment
I want students to see flying as an enjoyable pastime, not a test of courage. Safety always remains the first priority.
Safety and enjoyment
Before we talk
Frequently asked questions
Can I come without any flying experience?
Yes. You can start training for an SPL with no previous flying experience. If you are not yet sure whether you want to learn, you can start with one or two introductory flights in Vinon to find out whether you enjoy gliding.
You can also come for a scenic flight purely for enjoyment, or arrange one as a gift. We discuss the format beforehand: it could be a short flight of around 30 minutes or a longer flight in a high-performance glider, following a route into the high mountains.
Introductory flights with an instructor are also available in Namibia, but initial pilot training is not offered there.
Which languages can I learn in?
I teach in Russian, Ukrainian, English or French. You can choose the language you are most comfortable with.
If you plan to obtain an SPL, bear in mind the languages used for the examinations. The theoretical knowledge examination at the club in Vinon is held in French only. You can also take it in English in Luxembourg.
You can take the SPL skill test in either French or English, whichever you prefer.
How much time will I need?
That depends on the programme you choose, your current level, your training goal, the days you have available and the flying conditions. We discuss an approximate timescale beforehand and adjust the plan as you progress.
Training towards an SPL takes an average of 4–5 calendar weeks. You do not have to complete it in a single trip: training can be spread over several stays. This is a guide, not a guaranteed timeframe: the duration depends on your readiness and the flying conditions.
In Namibia, bookings are for full calendar weeks, from Monday to Sunday. For a first visit, I recommend one week: the flying is intensive, and this is enough for most participants.
How are costs organised?
The main costs include my work as an instructor, glider hire, club and federation fees, and insurance. Aerotows are also charged when launching behind a towplane. The exact breakdown depends on the programme you choose.
You pay me directly for my work against the invoices I issue. When flying in Vinon, you pay AAVA directly for club glider hire, aerotows, club and federation fees, and insurance, at the club's current rates.
Accommodation, meals, tickets and local transport form a separate part of your trip budget, which you plan according to your preferences.
We clarify the cost breakdown and estimated budget before agreeing on the format.
Let's start with a conversation
Message me on WhatsApp+33 6 52 90 81 75
Let's talk about your flying
Tell me what interests you: SPL licence training, advanced cross-country soaring in the Alps, flying in Namibia or an introductory flight. You do not need a ready-made plan to get in touch: together, we can find the right format for you.
Message me on WhatsApp+33 6 52 90 81 75Or email med.borovyk@gmail.com