The founding members
Introduction of the Board Members
Since 2019, I have dedicated my life to progress in paragliding and share my passion. My determination led me to become a FFVL club assistant, helping new pilots feel more comfortable in their practice. In 2021, after obtaining all the necessary certifications, I became a tandem pilot and launched the concept “J’IRAI VOUS FAIRE VOLER” (I WILL TAKE YOU FLYING), offering tandem flights to people I hitchhiked with. This project, with 300 tandem flights completed, was crucial in gaining the experience required to access the Ucc Hand’Icare training in October 2023. Having achieved my dream of obtaining this qualification for wheelchair flight, I founded this association in January 2024. In July 2024, I also established the company Aile 4, aimed at making paragliding equipment more affordable while continuing the same philosophy of making the sky accessible to all.
A paraglider since 2020, I have held a state diploma as a childcare assistant since 2013, which has led me to support children and their families on a daily basis, whether in a hospital setting, their family environment, or in childcare facilities for young children. Always passionate about animals, I volunteer at the wildlife rehabilitation center in Savoie, Le Tétras Libre, where I assist in the transportation of wildlife in distress to care centers. With my professional experience, I have the privilege of supporting a young child with a neuromotor disability. I have also assisted adults with disabilities and/or the elderly as a home care assistant.
I have been passionate about paragliding and practicing it since 2023. As a high school student in my second year of the medical-social program, I am engaged as a volunteer firefighter at the Thonon-les-Bains rescue center. I have also been a first aid responder and instructor with the French Red Cross for over three years. My experience has allowed me to interact with various audiences, including young children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Additionally, my passion for the mountains and sports such as paragliding, mountaineering, hiking, and climbing has motivated me to assist individuals in discovering or rediscovering nature from a new perspective. It is a true source of pride and motivation for me.
The other members
A paraglider since 2020, I have been passionate about meteorology since my early childhood, and I have been fascinated by free flight and the skies ever since I started paragliding. I have accumulated over 200 flights for about a hundred hours in the air. I obtained my Pilot Certificate in 2022 and achieved the Confirmed Pilot Certificate (BPC) in 2024 in order to qualify for tandem flying soon. As an agronomist passionate about nature and mountains, I wish to share this wonderful passion with my loved ones and through “J’IRAI VOUS FAIRE VOLER” During the rainy spring of 2022, the concept of the association took root and grew during fruitful discussions with Tony, and I am thrilled to see how much the project has developed. Initially, I am responsible for assisting with takeoffs using the flying wheelchair. Then, once I obtain the validation for the tandem pilot qualification, I will conduct flights for the association.
Passionate about mountains and hiking since my childhood, I naturally turned to paragliding in 2020. It was a revelation, combining hiking and flying descent. I am in the air almost every day and practice paragliding in all its forms: acrobatic flight, tandem, cross-country, mini-wing, competitions, and even flying with my dog. My enthusiasm has led me to explore numerous flying sites around the world, discovering breathtaking landscapes. Each flight is a unique adventure for me, filled with sensations and challenges. I quickly progressed in this discipline and obtained all the federal certificates. My goal this year is to obtain the DEJEPS Paragliding (instructor certificate) so I can teach my passion. I aspire to share the joys and freedom of free flight with as many people as possible and help them realize their dreams.
Passionate about paragliding for over three decades, I discovered this sport in 1988 during an introductory course in Samoëns. Initially a fan of coastal flights where I lived, I was regularly drawn to the magic of mountain flying in Haute-Savoie. My professional and family responsibilities eventually pulled me away from paragliding, but this passion never left me. In 2016, I took to the skies again, aiming to fly my wife in tandem to spare her the need for foot descents. Obtaining my tandem qualification in 2019 marked the beginning of a new adventure, allowing me to rediscover the joys of hiking and flying with my wife, other passengers, and my grandchildren. Today, I share my passion with as many people as possible, not only introducing them to the joys of flight but also passing on my love of nature. Enchanted by Tony’s vision for the handi-flight project, I enthusiastically support this association to promote its initiatives in France and beyond.
Partners of the association
We are delighted to collaborate with Aile 4, an essential partner of our association. Their support has allowed us to acquire our first brand-new tandem wing, a DUET PRO from Davinci Gliders, at the best price. This wing, adorned with our association’s logo crafted through integrated stitching, combines performance and safety thanks to innovative technologies. To learn more, explore their blog on the site aile4.com.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Chamonix Airsports, our second partner. Thanks to their support and your donations, we were able to finance our passenger harness, the Bipax 2 from Advance, which is essential for our activities. Advance is a renowned brand in the world of paragliding, known for its high-quality equipment. Explore their offerings on their website Chamonix Airsports.
We are deeply grateful to the ATMB Foundation for their exceptional support! Thanks to their generous donation of €5,000, we were able to fund our very first adaptive paragliding chair—a big step towards greater autonomy for our association. The ATMB Foundation shares our values of accessibility and equality, and we’re honored to have their commitment to inclusion. To learn more about their inspiring work for inclusive mobility, check out their website!
We are proud to use equipment from our partner Backbone, a pioneer in paramotors since 1993. In addition to their paramotor trikes, the company has also been designing adaptive flying chairs since 2007. These chairs, like their trikes, are crafted from lightweight yet durable materials, ensuring optimal safety and comfort for all users. This synergy of performance and innovation makes Backbone a key player in the world of inclusive flying.
We are grateful to the CIC Bank of Thonon-les-Bains for their generous support. This year, they are covering our banking fees, a valuable gesture that facilitates our financial management. To learn more about their services, visit their website at cic.fr.
We would also like to thank Pay Asso, our partner for payment processing. They provide us with their payment interface free of charge, allowing us to collect donations efficiently and transparently. Discover their solution at payasso.fr.
They’re talking about us!
Check out our feature on France 3 in this dedicated article.
Find our interview in Le Messager in this blog article.
We had the pleasure of being interviewed on Hot Radio.