A lot of people ask us about paragliding regulations on our favorite hang-gliding site, the Dune du Pilat. In this article, I'll try to be as clear and detailed as possible about the regulations governing our flying area. The Dune du Pilat is a listed site and a sensitive area.
Important information
First of all you need to know that our activity is regulated by a municipal decree, which was carried out by the commune of LA TESTE DE BUCH where the Dune du Pilat is located. The first municipal by-law dates from 2014 and has been replaced by a by-law of 2022, attached is the link , https://parapilat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ARR_Pilat2022.pdf.
An online information platform for paragliding on Dune du Pyla has been created: Parapilat.com
Here you'll find the specific regulations for this site, as well as the technical rules and recommendations of the Fédération Française de Vol Libre (French Free Flight Federation), not forgetting the declaration obligations of professionals and sports instructors. This site is regularly updated as site regulations evolve.
I'm not going to dwell on the conditions of practice of the professionals, other than the fact that they must be qualified, up to date with their retraining, their professional card, insured, declared for tax purposes and to the competent authorities. For information on the Dune du Pilat site, it's the Gironde departmental directorate for social cohesion (DDCS33) that examines the declarations.
Since the end of 2019, French and foreign professionals coming with groups of students to run a themed course on the site, for example, must declare themselves and register in advance. A schedule is available online at parapilat.com. Places are limited.
For private customersIf they are under 18, they must be able to show proof of aviation liability insurance and parental authorization. Wearing a helmet and using a harness-mounted gas pedal is compulsory.
It's important to respect the rules of priority, especially on such a busy site. Attached is a diagram outlining the main rules of visual flight. Don't forget to look before you turn. Take safety margins into account (risk of collision, turbulence generated), given the number of paragliders of all levels and the risk of runaways between paragliders if you pass too close behind a glider, especially one of the following tandem paragliding.
It is important to remember that wearing a helmet is compulsory.Back protection is highly recommended. Night riding is also prohibited. It is strongly recommended to be equipped with a gas pedal.. The wind can quickly pick up, and if you're poorly positioned at the time, you can be quickly trapped (watch out for the venturi zone). Remember to look at the type of sail used (classic sail or mini sail) before you set off and watch the sea, as it can warn you if a stronger wind is coming (visible sheep on the water).
Don't forget to anticipate favorable weather conditions for paragliding on Dune du Pyla. You can read our article on ideal weather conditions for flying the dune.
Access to flight sites
There are 3 ways of accessing the site. I remind you thatparking on the side of the road is prohibited. First solution, on the north side, you park at the official Dune du Pilat site parking lot (Dune du Pilat reception area) and use the stairs and walkway to reach the authorized areas. Alternatively, on the south side, you can park at the Petit Nice beach and walk north to the authorized areas. Alternatively, you can use the private campsites (La Forêt du Pilat, Les flots bleus, Pyla camping, Le Panorama, Le petit Nice), especially if you're staying at one of these campsites for your vacation. Some campsites also offer daily parking.
On the site, different zones have been defined with certain constraints on dates and types of practice (flights only authorized or flights and ground maneuvers authorized).
For simplicity's sake, here's a diagram showing and defining these different zones.
It's important to remember that flying over the Banc d'Arguin, which is classified as a nature reserve, is strictly forbidden.
It is also forbidden to trample dune plants, and in particular to take off from or walk through oyat plantations.
Although it may seem obvious to some, camping and fires are strictly forbidden. And don't forget to pick up your litter.
This is a very sensitive site, so please respect the rules that have been established to preserve this fragile practice area. For further information, please consult the website parapilat.com and the municipal by-law. If you would like more information about the site or would like to discover paragliding on Dune du Pyla, please contact Contact us. We look forward to answering your questions and sharing our passion for Free Flight.
Update: We have produced a guide to paragliding on the Dune du PilatDon't hesitate to consult it.
