Free Flight Instructor

To teach free flight (hang gliding, paragliding, kite flying or kitesurfing) professionally in France, you need a DEJEPS or BPJEPS in the relevant discipline. Before starting, you must declare your activity with the SDJES (Service Départemental à la Jeunesse, à l'Engagement et aux Sports) and obtain a carte professionnelle.

The carte professionnelle is renewed every five years and the declaration is made online. You can teach initiation and progression courses in your specialty, including tandem instructional flights. You are responsible for the safety of participants and third parties during all sessions. Teaching free flight without a valid declaration is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a 15,000 euro fine.

Required Qualifications

Hang gliding: BPJEPS specialty free flight hang gliding mention, DEJEPS or DESJEPS hang gliding mention
Paragliding: BPJEPS specialty free flight paragliding mention, DEJEPS or DESJEPS paragliding mention
Kitesurfing: BPJEPS water sports kite-powered gliding mention, DEJEPS or DESJEPS nautical kite-powered gliding mention
Kite flying: Same diplomas as kitesurfing or CS kite flying associated with BPJEPS, DEJEPS or DESJEPS

Declaration Procedure

Activity declaration: Mandatory with department prefect via Arquedi application or SDJES
Form: Cerfa 12699*02 with supporting documents (diploma, identity, medical certificate)
Response time: 3 months (extendable 1 month) for professional card issuance
Renewal: Every 5 years with valid refresher certificate

Professional Obligations

Continuing education: Mandatory refresher training (minimum 24 hours) no later than December 31 of the fifth year following diploma obtainment
Specific environment: Only organizations under Ministry of Sports supervision can train (except acrobatic and combat kite flying)
Good standing: Prohibition to practice in case of conviction for serious crimes or offenses
Sanctions: 1 year imprisonment and €15,000 fine for practicing without declaration