Freedom Flight Park

It really is a fantastic school for learning to fly. I took my paragliding pilot's licence there in September 2023. The instructors are really very dedicated. The flying site is magnificent and above all the take-off and landing are very easy and safe, which is perfect for learning. I highly recommend this school.

The 8 days spent doing my P2 certification at the Freedom Flight School was amazing. Couldn't ask for more professional and relaxed instructors. Dave, Terry, and Jerry, I can't thank you enough.

Above all, the aviation community at the Freedom Flight Park is more welcoming, knowledgeable, and fun than I could've imagined.

This course is easily among the top ten experiences of my life.

First time paragliding. It was amazing! I felt completely safe and the staff was very professional. Not sure I'll go again BUT if I ever do I would gladly chose Freedom again! Thanks guys for an amazing experience I'll never forget!

What a fantastic experience, great bunch of guys, very detailed and would highly recommend them to anyone wanting a great adrenalin rush

I doubt there is a better place to learn to paraglide, or better people to learn from.

The facilities are excellent, from the pilot’s lounge, to the acres of fields available for safe landings, to the “carpeted” launch site at Coopers (which you are driven right up to). The school generously lends you their equipment for the entire course (leading to P1 and P2 certification), with no pressure to purchase anything from them. I flew several different wings during the course, each of which was practically new. If you do wish to purchase your equipment, they offer expert advice with no attempts to up-sell beyond your needs.

You will see unanimous agreement among the reviewers: Dave Underwood and Terry Butcher are both excellent instructors, real professionals who are highly skilled, extremely experienced pilots themselves and who have the ability and temperament to teach those skills to others. They work together seamlessly to ensure that when you complete your P2 certification you will be able to safely begin your flying career. The program is structured to allow you to incrementally acquire the skills you need, beginning at the training hill, to towed launches at the airpark, to free flights from Coopers mountain launch site. On all high flights, they are both on the radio with the pilot, one for the launch phase and one for the landing. On almost every flight they introduce you to a new skill, which they thoroughly explain prior to launch and through which they verbally guide you during the flight. That they were able to teach me, a 63 year old used to Covid levels of inactivity, at the same time as my son, a healthy 28 year old with energy to spare, without terrifying me or boring him is a testament to their instructing skills and flexibility

I also echo the unanimous opinion of the other reviewers: Dave and Terry are just great guys whose patience, positivity and great stories create a truly enjoyable learning environment.

For me, launching off a perfectly good mountain was scary. But thanks to the training provided by Dave and Terry, it was always comfortably scary. And with each flight, comfortably scary is evolving to exhilarating. I cannot recommend Freedom Flight School highly enough.

11/10! I did my P1/P2 training here last spring and couldn’t recommended them more. Dave is very accommodating and was able to get me flying on short notice. He and Terry’s passion for the sport is reflected in their instruction and they made the process a breeze. Their program is relaxing and efficient, with an obvious focus on safety. What’s best is that the support doesn’t end with the completion of the course. They obviously care about their people!
Beyond the school, the flight park offers an ultra welcoming environment and is a great spot to spend some time. If you are looking for a place to go for a tandem flight, try the sport or get licensed, I’d highly suggest that you “call Dave from Lumby”!
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Excellente école! Les instructeurs s’adaptent aux étudiants et offrent un encadrement qui permet de progresser avec confiance! Le site de vol est très bien aménagé et sécuritaire pour les débutants. Mon expérience a été très agréable et mémorable.

Super awesome school to learn everything related to flying as a human. The school has a huge field for landing, so it is ideal for students starting out. And then you got mountains all around the school to fly from on your own after you graduate, which is super awesome.

I would recommend this school if you are interested in paragliding. Dave, Terry and Jason are awesome instructors for this sport.

Went to Freedom Flight to learn how to fly paraglider (P1 & P2) in 2021/22 and it as AMAZING!

Dave and the entire FFP team made the experience completely unforgettable. Everything about the park was outstanding - the people, the welcoming community, the fun and games, the FLYING! It all culminates into one of the most memorable experiences you can have.

This is where you want to learn!

A great school to learn to paraglide. Lessons are flexible, and adaptable around the student's schedule. All flying gear is provided. Great instructors, and a welcoming environment. During the summer, the school's flying site (Cooper's) is flyable nearly every day.
This is also a great place to book a tandem flight and get a taste of paragliding!

I was in and out of the freedom flight school most of the summer getting my p1 and p2 and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a group of people that were all so passionate and excited about the sport they were really inspiring to be around and fly with them. It is truly a amazing community.

This place is like Disneyland.but for adults.

I started flying with Dave, Terry and Jay at Freedom Flight Park in 2022. I had a fantastic experience with these guys; something that has greatly contributed to my continuing pursuit of the sport. The staff and fellow fliers at FFP are so welcoming and encouraging. It’s an inclusive and safe group here that will treat you like family. This is a prime facility for training, with the large turfed launch, open landing area, and a tow system that will set you up for success. It even has a nice area for camping if you are staying a while.

Throughout my training, my personal schedule was all over the place. I couldn’t book extensive time off or guarantee my training days with much prior notice. The school
was great about working my training in around my sporadic availability. Even once you’ve achieved your licence, the staff is there to help. Dave assisted me when choosing my very own wing and harness after I graduated, guiding me through the proper style and size of wing for my level. He also mentored and encouraged me through the incredible additional sport of paraskiing in the winter.

The instructors here really care about your safety, and progression in paragliding.

Whether you’re interested in going for a tandem paraglide, training or just some gorgeous new views under your glider, Freedom Flight Park in Lumby BC is the place to go!

I had a fantastic experience training with Freedom Flight Park in Lumby, BC last summer. The owner, Dave, along with Terry and Jay, were all incredible instructors who made the learning process both enjoyable and safe. Not only were they patient with me as a student, but they were also welcoming to my family. My wife and my son were able to watch and hang out while I was training, which made the whole experience that much more special for all of us.

I was able to successfully earn my P2 paragliding certification thanks to the expert guidance of Dave, Terry, and Jay. The training facilities at Freedom Flight Park are top-notch and the scenery in Lumby is breathtaking, making it the perfect location for this type of activity.

I highly recommend Freedom Flight Park to anyone interested in learning how to paraglide. The team at Freedom Flight Park is professional, knowledgeable, and committed to ensuring that their students have a safe and memorable experience. Thank you, Dave, Terry, and Jay for an unforgettable summer!

Three friends and I completed our P1/P2 at the freedom flight park in Sept of 2023. It was an excellent experience. Dave and Terry are great instructors with loads of experience to share with students.

We all camped at the Freedom Flight Park which has a great atmosphere and plenty of supplies/shelter to make camping easy and comfortable.

Freedom Flight School should be at the top of anyone's list if they are considering learning to paraglide.

I had a blast at Freedom Flight Park in the summer of 2022. The town of Lumby is also a nice little town to spend some time in. I did both P1 and P2 paragliding programs and really enjoyed my stay. The instructors are great with students learning to fly and also great for tandem rides. Highly recommended if you want to learn to paraglide or also just want to experince some thermals on a tandem flight. I'll be back in the Spring and Summer of 2023!

I found the Freedom Flight School after not being able to finish my training with another school (due to the schedule of the Instructor). Dave, Terry and Jason took me under their wing as one of their own as soon as I arrived. I was blown away by the professionalism of the school, the quality of instruction and the community of pilots. I not only got my P2 certification this summer but have also found a new home and lifelong friends. Highly recommend.

What an incredible experience! Thanks to Dave and his crew I had the best time on my tandem flight! First his willingness to accommodate our last minute group of 5, then his honesty around the conditions not being ideal for a long enough flight to make it worthwhile for my out of town friends, and finally his genuine love for flying over our incredible little town of Lumby! These are the guys you want to fly with! No scary jumping, the paraglide just lifts you into the air…such a cool moment. To see the beautiful valley from the stillness of the air, soaring like a bird, is an experience I’ll never forget! Can’t wait to do it again already! Worth every penny! And LOVED that it included a video of the entire flight via go-pro so I could share my experience with my family and friends!

LOVED IT! The vibe at this place is amazing ️
A friend of mine is doing his P2 certification with this school, he recommended them to me. I never tried paragliding before. I had such a blast flying in tandem wit Terry! I really loved the atmosphere at the place, how cute and chill it was. You can bring your family and lounge together watching paraglides launch from a hill and land in front of you. The instructors are very knowledgeable, went over all the safety and steps before take off, so I knew what to expect and what to do. Lovely! 10/10 recommend!

Both Dave and Terry made my wife and I's first tandem paragliding experience memorable. We felt safe and comfortable the entire time. Their instructions were clear and made getting into the air a breeze. A nice touch was that we left with a video and a mapped out log of our flights.

Awesome experience, Dave & Terry took us up for tandem flights and were extremely professional, safe, and fun! Highly recommend the school if you're looking to do this!

My husband and I did some tandem paraglides here last week and it was a great experience! Very friendly and informative staff - Terry and Jay were great to fly with, and a big thanks to Dave for making it happen.

Another check off the bucket list and Dave and Terry made it the most fabulous experience of my life. Incredibly organized, accommodating, fun, wonderful people. Very easy to do and I highly recommend that everyone call these guys and have this breathtaking experience

I HIGHLY recommend Freedom Flight for everyone, whether it is to go tandem paragliding or for school. Dave and Terry possess so much knowledge & are a true blast to be around. Thank you Dave for being so co-operative with times and sorting the fine details out. You guys are awesome! We will definitely be coming back:)

Went for a tandem paraglide ride with Dave. It was awesome! Very knowledgeable pilots. Looking forward to another flight in the future!

Dave talked me into tandem paragliding when I couldn't get a tandem hang gliding experience. It was great fun! Dave and Terry were very friendly, as were the other people I encountered. Everyone was supportive and encouraging. I've shared the satellite track log they sent me with everyone- super cool to see where we went and how far up we got! I'll be back next summer with my kids.

The entire tandem paragliding experience at Freedom Flight School was almost like a dream! I

Located just minutes from Lumby up Mabel Lake Rd. The flagged Freedom Flight School sign at driveway entrance cannot be missed. Onsite parking is free.

Staff are helpful, reassuring, entertaining and safety minded. Upon arrival we were given a lovely tour of the flight park.

Facilities: washrooms at flight park and at launch site. Pilots lounge is a fully equipped kitchen/lounge. Very comfortable seating with couches and TVs setting a great open air living space and peaceful atmosphere.

Transportation to launch site is by staff driven 4x4 up a mountain logging road. Staff stories included all the way to the site.

Scenery during flight will take your breath away and leave you wanting more.

Video of experience sent to email or phone or given on a memory stick. One way or another they make sure you get the evidence!

Payment is by easy e-transfer or cash is also accepted.

I messaged Dave while on vacation to enquire about a possible tandem paraglide. He was consistent with communication and very passionate in his efforts to make sure I could try the experience. The duration of the time I spent at Freedom Flight School was educational, safe, and fun! Dave walked me through every step and provided a ton of knowledge along the way. I highly recommend Freedom Flight School for anyone wanting to give paragliding a try!

What an awesome experience! My pilot Terry was safe, fun, and so knowledgeable. I absolutely loved this adventure. The whole community at Freedom Flight School was so friendly and welcoming. I deeply appreciated people's efforts to make me feel welcome, informed and part of the community. Thank you very much! Look forward to doing it again:)

The instructors, and the experience in general, were exemplary! They explained exactly what to do clearly and were very skilled in paragliding. They also went above and beyond in terms of hospitality. I would definitely jump with Freedom Flight School again!

Dave and Terry made paragliding tandem a safe, fun, and totally magical experience. They are super friendly and explained everything. Highly recommend this adventure.

I went tandem paragliding for a combination of my birthday and brought my dad for Father’s Day. It was my first time and it was so amazing now I’m saving up for the lessons. The people are fantastic and the area is beautiful, couldn’t recommend higher and I hope to go back soon.

I contacted Dave at Freedom Flight School back in May inquiring of getting my paraglider license. He hot back to me within an hour and I started the course the next morning. The school has a continuous intake program, meaning you can start at anytime. That was perfect for me.

I can't speak highly enough of the high quality instructors and equipment. I had my license within a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to a long career of paragliding.

Absolutely top notch school!

John Swallow

(Glider pilot, skydiver, BASE jumper, former commercial pilot instructor, current transport category aircraft captain, and now.paraglider pilot)

By far the best place I've been to for an adventure. The nicest, the most caring and the most fun crew to do paragliding with. Something my pilot said to me moved me and I will always remember him for that, while doing the payment he said you can do it later too, not necessary you have to do it before leaving, I said why, he said you trusted us with your life, the least we can do is trust you with your money! Blew me away. I'm so glad I've met such people and the school itself uses best measures to make sure you get the best experience of your life.

Best flight school out there. Safety is first and fun is guaranteed. We got to take the time and practice needed to progress. In between sessions we chilled in the pilot’s lounge with all the friendlies. This was way better then going to Club Med. Thanks to Dave, Terry and the rest of the crew.
Julie & John

Can't imagine a better place to learn how to paraglide! All around great experience and location. The instructors are super knowledgeable, experienced and lots of fun. I have been recommending the Freedom Flight School to everyone!

Had an absolutely amazing experience with Dave!
He was funny, professional and made this a perfect first experience paragliding. Can't wait to do it again:)

One of the best experiences of my life. My paragliding with Brad was amazing. This guy has tons of experience and a lot of patience. It took us almost an our to take off but it was absolutely worth it. Brad managed to pull us up to 6300 feet and the views of the lakes and the surrounding peaks were incredible. Thank you Brad! I will be back!

I had the opportunity to go tandem paragliding in June with Dave and it was most excellent. The school is located at a common paragliding/hang gliding landing spot and the location seems to be where a lot of gliders hangout before/after flying. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, what you would expect from a group of people with a shared passion. Before you are taken up the mountain to the launch spot you have the opportunity to mingle among seasoned gliders as well as watch people landing.
The flight itself was very smooth. Even though I did not sign-up for lessons, only a single tandem paraglide, Dave was still very educational and teaching me about thermal pockets, cloud ceiling, and how to operate the controls. My girlfriend became nauseated during her flight but the tandem pilot did his absolute best to keep me girlfriend feeling as best as possible and she was actually able to enjoy the full duration of the flight despite the initial nausea.
I would recommend anyone looking to try paragliding to strongly consider Freedom Flight School. They are stand up bunch and the community is hard to replicate.

Had an amazing experience tandem paragliding for the first time! Got to paraglide with Terry who’s very knowledgeable, professional and made the flight a safe trip. Both Dave and Terry were great to deal with, and definitely recommend checking out their flight school!

If you're looking to experience an amazing adventure in the sky then this is it! Paragliding with Dave was amazing, felt super safe and comfortable. The staff is super friendly and really good to chat with. I definitely recommend Freedom Flight School for paragliding or hang-gliding. Ask for Dave or Terry:)

Tandem paragliding was an awesome experience. If you're up to an amazing adventure, this is it. The staff is super friendly and really good at what they do. I felt that they really took safety to heart and ensured I had a great time. Thanks to Dave, Bill and Terry.

Paragliding Tandom - Amazing, just amazing. Talk about going that extra mile. These guys do. Dave is a superstar and really looked after me. He made sure that I did not 'just jump' but had something that was 'out of this world'. These guys make you feel comfortable from the minute you turn up to the minute you land and beyond. Safety is paramount as well as the whole experience. Instructions are clear and concise. The flight itself. Words can not justify it, Its something that you need to experience. It is something that I want to do again and with these guys. Dave and Terry thank you so much. 5 stars is not enough.

They run a tight ship! They've got loads of experience, positivity and patience and make it an absolute blast to learn. Several instructors give you a great range of perspectives on the sport and increase your confidence step-by-step. Massively rewarding experience. Highly recommend.

Awesome people, place and experience!
My wife and I had an amazing experience doing a tandem paragliding flight with Freedom Flight School.
If you are in the area and what to try something new or want to learn to fly a paraglider, Freedom Flight School is the place!

At a slightly aged 71 yrs, I decided that I wanted to give paragliding a try. I signed up for the introductory lesson and, I'm really happy that I did. What an exhilarating experience. Dave and Terry are experienced, patient, and safety conscious instructors. I definitely want to go again!

I decided to try a paragliding lesson recently, so booked with Freedom Flight School in Lumby, BC.
Best decision ever! I arrived on time, they are friendly, welcoming, have a great spot for relaxing and watching the other gliders come in until my lesson came up. There was myself and one other student for our paragliding ground handling lesson – our instructor was amazing. He was very patient but thorough, explained all about the glider and reasons for everything as we went. Never a dull moment!
The excitement and thrill of pulling a paraglider up above you, running and having it lift you a few feet off the ground, gliding, then landing – WOOO! This was the best experience of my life so far. I would HIGHLY recommend Freedom Flight School, they are amazingly accommodating.
Their priority is safety first above anything else, they love the air sports and they love people. I recommend booking sooner than later, and SHARE with everyone you know. Thanks, Donna, Kelowna, BC

Freedom Flight School is a must if you want to experience flight from the sky. I came here for a tandem with a friend and came back a week later to get certified. Dave and Don were really flexible with my schedule and the community at the school and flight park is like non other. I highly recommend Dave and the crew at Freedom Flight School for either a tandem or getting your p2. When you come fly, be sure to say hi to me at the flight park!

Had an amazing experience going tandem paragliding with Don and Dave! Thank you guys so much for such a memorable time! Keep being awesome! And cant wait to do it again!

Had an amazing trip thanks to these guys. We called around to several places, and very glad we chose Freedom Flight School. Awesome instructors, the flight park has everything you need for a long trip and the views are wicked. If you want to have fun this is the place! Thanks guys!

The Freedom Flight School is an excellent place to try out flying. I came for a tandem flight and ended up sticking around to do my P1&P2 certifications. The instructors were very thorough and their flexibility made it easy to fit the training around my schedule. Coopers launch is a great place for learning, with options ranging from a quick flight down to the landing zone or longer cross-country flying. There are always lots of pilots around to learn from, and the pilots' lounge is a relaxing place to hang out while waiting for the perfect flying conditions. I'd recommend this school to anyone looking to try something new!

Myself, my brother and mom had never been paragliding before but it was an incredible experience for all of us! Amazing staff, very knowledgeable, professional and passionate about paragliding. Thanks Dawn, Dave and Jason for being so accommodating and for taking the time to answer all our questions and concerns. Staff was very also experienced, friendly, professional and enthusiastic about flying. The instructions were very clear and concise. Would highly recommend to at least try out the tandem flights. We will never forget this amazing experience and would definitely do it again!

They get you flying. Just make sure you get a receipt for services rendered. So Randy checked all the waivers to see if I existed. That's the kind of business ethics I wish this place practiced.

We enjoyed several days at the Freedom Flight Park paragliding on the nearby mountains Coopers and the Saddle. This whole area is super beginner friendly but it also offers various opportunities to learn thermal and cross country flying. It is a wonderful place with very lovely and welcoming people. Thanks to Dave and Don and their team for all your support, patience and warming campfires in the evening)

Great place for hang gliders in paragliders just outside of town great atmosphere very friendly people

The Freedom flight park has become a beautiful part of the Daring Greatly family over the few years we have known them. The passion and knowledge in flight is seen in every instructor and community member. Love you guys, keep soaring and we'll see you this summer!

This Summer I spent learning how to paraglide at Freedom Flight Park after a few years of hesitating to make the decision. My initial interest was sparked by general enthusiasm for being outside and adventure. But learning to be a pilot offers a wealth of knowledge and experience to be had that it’s easy to become enthralled with the world of free flight. There was no better place to be influenced by a group of incredibly passionate pilots from all over the country. Most importantly, the dedicated instructors Dave and Don who put your education, safety and comfort above all else.

Paragliding requires full awareness of the external and internal environment. Both Dave and Don honor that practice. Your progression is based on their assessment, but more importantly your own judgement on whether you are ready to fly. With the combination of amazing facilities, loving community and flexible instruction you’ve got a recipe for life changing experiences!

Anyone who has considered free flight of any kind should consider training at the park. Now that I have the P2 license the team is helping me get gear for the next season a reasonable cost. With these guys, freedom is an understatement!

We chose Freedom Flight Park because of their flexible schedule that catered to our busy lives and I am so glad we did! Dave and Don are incredible! They are patient, knowledgable and fun to learn from. Their teaching focuses on an individual, helping them progress at their own pace and comfort level. I never felt pressured,   I was always encouraged and  entertained. My trust in their teaching grew instantly and I was able to focus my mind on developing skills. We started with kiting on a flat field, progressed our launches on a small hill then move to short towing, towing releases and finally a launch from Mt. Cooper. It was an amazing journey and we were able to have our high flights on the 4th day of training. Highly recommend Freedom Flight Park to anybody who is looking for a fun and safe place to learn paragliding.

The paragliding community never ceases to amaze me! I can’t say enough good things about Freedom Flight Park. From the moment I stepped foot in their property, they were INCREDIBLY welcoming. I’m a newer pilot and pretty timid. Don and Dave were so helpful and were never selfish about giving me pointers (or pep talks) to improve my flying. Randy, the owner, has opened had graciously opened up his home and created a community that is fun and relaxed-you will instantly feel like you’ve known them forever. His attitude is reflected in his awesome instructors, Don and Dave. And when you’re not flying, they’re just good people to hang out with and play backyard games with.

I’m VERY selective in who I learn from. If you are a newbie, I would feel really comfortable taking classes here. Or, if you are a traveling pilot, know that you will be more than welcomed into this community. Have fun!