Paragliding school in New York
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Below are some comments from former students. Learn more about the Let's Go Paragliding flight school's owner and head instructor, Benoit Bruneau.

06/04/2010 David T from NJ

My dream of flight has always been hampered by a few things.. and let's just say I've made a few attempts at learning to fly. Usually between whatever money is left over (after rent and food and gas and everything else), Imay have taken a private pilot class here and there. but paragliding has got to be the most cost effective and fastest way to flying any way you look at it. The 'wing' packs in a backpack which you can take hiking. the set up may take no more than 10 minutes, and the learning curve is manageable and cost effective compared to other methods of flying.

I looked for instructors in the NY area and although i could have found things somewhat closer in NJ, I finally chose to drive 2 hours north to Millerton because of Benoit. He seemed to be the most professional and experienced teacher of the ones i had considered- From the very beginning, he is interested in what kind of paragliding you will be doing. his method will adapt to the individual's needs, and he will suggest certain equipment to fit the individual. I also appreciated what i would call the 'incremental risk' method of learning. Safety comes first with Benoit, and I never felt uncomfortable moving on to the next step in my learning curve. I look forward to finally getting that certificate and flying solo. Cheers to Benoit!

David T from NJ

06/06/2010 Jeff Valin Boston

No matter how new or advanced you are in learning paragliding, Benoit Bruneau is a very high-calibre instructor, not only technically but intuitively as well. If you’ve worked with instructors in other places, you’ll likely quickly notice a real difference in the degree of genuine care Benoit devotes to those he instructs. No matter how knowledgeable or experienced an instructor is, the most vital competence is character, and Benoit has all of these qualities in spades.

Jeff Valin

06/10/2010 Ian Curry, Brooklyn

Unlike say, salsa dancing, paragliding is not an activity where you can get by with a second rate instructor. Benoit is exactly the person you'd want as a teacher: knowledgeable about technique; meticulous about safety; and encouraging even when the going gets tough.

Paragliding is something I have wanted to do since the time I encountered it 15 years ago. Being carless in Brooklyn, I wasn't really sure how taking lessons would be possible, but Benoit really goes out of his way to connect students in the area and make sure everyone can make it happen. I feel fortunate to have gotten off to a good start in a sport I hope to do for many years.

Ian Curry

06/10/2010 John Breen NH

I am 58, paragliding was not what I would have envisioned I would be participating in. Consequently, the selection of a competent, experienced instructor was very important. Don't just sign in and hope you get the right instructor. Please consider your selection wisely. You have a lot at stake. Incidentally, I drive from NH to Brace in New York to attend his school because of his skills.

So I checked it out, I found Benoit to be that person. He is a teacher and a pilot and patient. Some people fly well but cannot teach; you need both. So now almost a year later and a flying trip to Utah, I feel comfortable and able because of his ability.

John Breen

06/10/2010 Leslie Blatt CT

I came to Benoit after taking lessons in California and not being able to finish my P2. What impresses me so much is his calm attitude and patience. It amazes me that he walks up to me while I'm kiting sharing with me ways to make keep the paraglider over my head and I didn't realize he was watching. Recently I went to a soaring clinic in Utah with Lets Go Paragliding and Benoit . He boosted my confidence, improved my launches and helped me soar, knowing my skills as a pilot keeping a close eye the conditions with safety at the forefront. Can't wait to fly as soon as the winds are right.

Leslie Blatt

02/04/2009

"Over the past few months I've come to know Benoit as a very experienced and skilled paragliding instructor. I have already flown on several sites in different countries and always carry his teachings with me. I am extremely grateful to have had a mentor like Benoit by my side, especially in the critical early learning stages.
His extensive knowledge, thorough technique, emphasis on safety and exemplary patience all have helped establish a strong and necessary trust between us which in turn would enable me to fly with great confidence. Thanks to Benoit, my dream of flying became a reality."

Sébastien Nicolet

02/04/2009

Back in the 1970's I learned to fly my own, homemade hang glider. I transitioned to various gliders, eventually getting out of it altogether…. I had always wanted to get back into foot launched flight, but due to my age, I just couldn't imagine carrying a hang glider back up a hill … Paragliding was the answer, a wing that could be carried in a backpack, or be transported on a plane on a trip.

At that point in time I started looking for an instructor, and came across Benoit Bruneau, owner of Let's Go Paragliding. I emailed him, and set up to take the introductory lesson. It only took a few days to make my decision; I wanted to do it again, to learn how to fly. Benoit encouraged all of his students, with positive feedback, friendly correction of our technique. With each step in the process, the techniques became almost automatic. Finally, with all the required flights completed, we got to fly off of Brace Mountain in the fall. The whole experience was amazing and very satisfying. Benoit was able to take us there, through each step of the way. Class size is small, so the attention to detail is always there. There were times when we wanted to fly, but he would not allow it due to high winds, safety was always the guiding force with Benoit… The whole experience was excellent, I will actually miss driving up for my lessons this coming summer. (Benoit also has an excellent choice of equipment, from paragliders to all the gadgets for a safe and productive flight.)

Donald Jacobson

02/04/2009

I really liked the focus on security and as mentioned your ability to understand each student's needs and ambitions. Great with towing. Great with tandem. One can really feel that you want the best for each student. Good with assistance at launch and at LZ. I have been very satisfied with your teaching and all you do for the students, you truly care for safety and the fun the sport can provide each student by listening to each person's needs. Your honesty and French humour is key to a good and empowering experience. Thanks! I miss flying with you guys and having your good advice in the radio.

Take care
All the best
Louise

02/04/2009

Benoit
Just a word of thanks for working with me all summer to achieve my P2 rating. I'll always remember that first tandem flight, what a peaceful place in the sky! The tandem flights made it nice when it came time to solo. It was nice that weekday training was available. At 54 years old , it was great getting to live a dream. I enjoyed all the great people I met during my training days. We did have some good laughs, even though we were serious about our training. Happy with all my equipment purchases. Keep kiting and fly safe!

Charlie Wolz

My wife and I began paragliding in 2001. Throughout the years we have learned from several instructors, but the one constant has always been Benoit. My wife and I have always appreciated his knowledge in the sport and his calm way of explaining things. We have always been comfortable with his instructions from our first day of paragliding or until now that we have advanced through the different levels in the sport. We highly recommend Benoit as an instructor.

Carlos & Sandra Carrasco
Brooklyn, NY

"My initial contact with paragliding was somewhat of an accident. I had my mind set on learning how to fly, but that concept involved a motor and wings.... And then came the picture of a paraglider on my computer and it all fell into place. An aircraft you could carry with you, hike up a mountain with and fly down with!

If someone teaches you how to jump off a mountain with a large piece of nylon over your head, you better have the right instructor. Benoit Bruneau was my instructor on my first try-out day in the field and has remained my guide on every paragliding trip I have done. I have seen many novices launch with their instructor nearby and every time I have thought how lucky I was to have Benoit at my side.

In a paragliding instructor I wasn't looking only for someone to teach me a technique and set me free. I was looking for a guardian angel, someone to look out for everything that might jeopardize my safety. Because with paragliding you must also learn to assess risks in a very clear-headed way. Once solo, no one will tell you what to do and when to do it. So, the very important challenge of the instructor is to provide the student with these tools to make the best assessment on weather, ground, gear, technique etc... so that the experience may be not only enjoyable but also safe.

Many wanna be pilots have quit because of scary launches, bad landings, and a lot of those, as I have often witnessed, were due to poor instruction. Benoit satisfied my craving for the sky by giving me glimpses of what it is really like to be a pilot. To look at the sky, to practice ground handling at every chance, to be prepared psychologically and to keep my head cool when the desire to take off was stronger that the conditions permitted. Without that kind of instruction, I am not sure I would have gone all the way. Thanks to him, I am enjoying the skies worldwide on exciting trips and exhilarating flights."

Tristan Sheridan (New York, New York)

"The last thing I ever thought I'd do is jump off of a mountain and fly. On a visit to the French Alps, I saw dozens of beautifully colored gliders softly floating amongst the mountain ranges - I couldn't peel my eyes away and I yearned to float so freely, but I didn't have the courage to look into it. When I met Benoit in New York and learned that he had been flying for years in the Alps, I decided to try a tandem flight. Although I'm not the type to even feel comfortable on an amusement park ride, I knew I was safe with him; his expertise on equipment, weather conditions and safety issues was that impressive. So we strapped ourselves in and Benoit guided us as we gently flew over Berkshire country farms. I'd never felt anything so exhilarating and I can't wait to do it again!"

Nina Schmir (Brooklyn, New York)