Summer
Light & breathable
T-shirt plus a thin fleece or softshell you can take off at launch. Trainers or hiking shoes. Sunscreen and sunglasses. It can still be chilly in the air on a hot valley day.
Flight day
What to wear and expect
What to wear, how cold launch feels, and the small habits that make the day smoother for you and your pilot. Equipment and risks live in the safety guide.
1.5–2h
From meeting your pilot to landing back in town
800–1,000 m
Drive up to launch, then expect colder air once you fly
Layers
Slim and stackable beat one bulky jacket every time
Timeline
From meeting point to landing
Allow around 1.5–2 hours door to door. Airtime is usually 10–20 minutes. The rest is the drive, setup, briefing, takeoff, and landing.
-
~20 min
Transport
Driven up to the launch site on the mountain above Interlaken.
-
~10 min
Get ready
Harness fitted, briefing, and time for your questions.
-
~1 min
Takeoff
A few steps down the slope. When your pilot says run, run. Takeoff tips.
-
10–20 min
In the air
Sit back and take in the views. Flight time depends on conditions.
-
~5 min
Landing
Soft landing in the valley, often in Höhematte park in town.
Clothing
Dress for the launch temperature
Summer and winter are straightforward. Spring and autumn catch people out. Bring layers you can add or remove.
Winter
Warm layers that fit the harness
Thermal base, fleece, and thin down if you have it, all under the operator's overall. Gloves and a hat for launch and landing. Ski jackets get in the way; slim warm layers win.
Spring & autumn
The tricky ones
Mornings can be cold and afternoons warm. Some days do the reverse. Wear layers you can add or remove. Avoid bulky clothing; it makes the harness awkward and you overheat on the ground.
All seasons
Shoes you can run in
Wear closed shoes. Leave sandals and flip-flops at the hotel. Operators provide a helmet and windproof overall. Slim layers fit better under the harness.
Altitude
Why it gets colder up there
We drive 800–1,000 m up to launch, depending on which takeoff we use (Amisbühl at about 1,350 m or Hohwald at about 1,600 m), then often fly higher again. Many guests start in Interlaken in a T-shirt and underestimate the temperature drop.
Interlaken
~570 m
~22°C
Warm valley day where many guests start in a T-shirt
Launch
1,350–1,600 m
~12°C
800–1,000 m above town by road
In the air
up to ~2,500 m
~8°C
Often colder again with wind chill
Expect roughly 6°C cooler per 1,000 m, plus wind in the air. Layers beat one thick jacket every time.
Packing list
What to wear and bring
Pick your month, flight slot, and whether kids are flying. Then tick items off as you pack.
In the air
After takeoff, the flight is the easy part
Briefing, takeoff, then sit back for lakes, peaks, and a soft landing in the valley.
Etiquette
Four habits that help the day
Pilots fly a tight schedule, and the town lets us land in public spaces. A little courtesy goes a long way.
Be ready when the van arrives
A pilot may fly up to nine tandems in one day. Be at the meeting point on time. Running late? Send a quick message so we know what is happening.
Skip a big meal beforehand
Skip a full meal for 2–3 hours before you fly. A heavy stomach and airtime are a bad combination. Light snacks earlier are fine. If you feel sick on the day, tell us early and we'll fly smoothly, get you down gently, and have a bag ready if you need one.
Keep it calm over town
We land in the Höhematte park in the heart of town. It is a privilege worth keeping. Enjoy the flight and keep the volume down.
Pay the pilot for photos & video
Pay your pilot directly after the flight, usually around CHF 40. The full amount goes to the pilot, without a booking-site commission coming out of it.
Extras
Longer flights, cameras, nerves, weather
The extras people ask about most, answered plainly.
Longer flight
Want Double Air?
Most flights are 10–20 minutes. At the operator I fly with, the Double Air upgrade aims for around 30–40 minutes for an extra cost on top of the base price.
Longer flights depend on conditions. When the extended portion gets cancelled, the extra charge is refunded. It works best in stronger midday or afternoon slots. Use the flight finder if you're unsure.
Double Air is one operator's product name. Other operators may offer something similar with different naming and pricing.
Cameras
Photos & video
Your phone stays packed away during the flight, even if it has a strap. A dropped phone from the air is a serious hazard.
An action camera such as a GoPro is fine without the selfie pole. These can be tied to the harness. Check with your pilot before you bring one.
For the operator package, pay your pilot directly after the flight. See etiquette above.
Questions?
Ask before flight day
Tell me your month, slot, and who's flying. I'll help you pack without bringing half your suitcase to launch.