FAQ

Tandem Paragliding: Frequently Asked Questions

Meeting point, spectators & families

Where is the meeting point?

We'll meet in front of the ticket office at the Schmittenhöhebahn valley station. There are two concrete flower pots and a bench there. Please wait for us on this bench. Please do not drive up the mountain alone or wait in your car. You will also meet other passengers there.

Please use the following link, which will take you directly to the meeting point:
Google Maps Link
Address: Schmittenstrasse 119, 5700 Zell am See

We are not reachable by phone before the flight, so please do not call or text us to let us know you've arrived; we cannot respond. We try to be on time, but due to traffic and external circumstances (weather, wind, cable car wait times), this is not always possible. Please simply wait 15-30 minutes. If it takes longer, we will contact you.

Please purchase a cable car ticket for the ascent only (if you have the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card, the ascent is even free). The cable car ticket is not included in the flight price!

Can you also meet the pilot on the mountain?

We ask you to meet us at the traditional meeting point. You will find this in the question above or it will be communicated to you in the booking confirmation.

This is for flight-related reasons: we decide in the valley which cable car we need to take to reach the ideal take-off point with suitable wind. This always happens at short notice and you may end up at the wrong take-off point or the wrong part of the mountain.

Exceptions only on request.

Where can the family watch?

We recommend your family to watch at the landing site . Here you see the most of the entire flight and you can welcome your loved ones after landing.

Watching at the starting point is not much use, each person would have to buy a ride up and down the mountain and we are usually no longer visible a few minutes after the start.

There is not enough time to see the take-off and landing, even on longer flights.

How do I get back from the landing site to the meeting point after the flight?

Don't worry! Everything is perfectly organized. After landing at our landing site, the Falken Air Vip Shuttle will take us back to the meeting point, where we met earlier and where your car is probably parked, free of charge.

Is there enough free parking at the meeting point?

Yes! Our meeting point offers plenty of free parking. You can even park your RV there.

We have a child/dog to look after. What now?

Then simply book two consecutive appointments, and your partner can then hand the child/dog over to the other. For example, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. There's always enough time to hand over the child/dog.

Weather & Season

What if the weather is bad?

Then your flight will be cancelled free of charge and you will not incur any costs. You either book a new appointment or your original appointment will be canceled completely.

Should our experienced pilot rate the weather as unsafe to fly, we will contact you before your flight. Please, be aware that this decision is made for safety reasons and can be made last minute on spot. You will not incur any costs.

What weather can I fly in?

We fly all year round in suitable flight conditions. The sun doesn’t have to be shining; even an overcast sky is no problem. Clouds in the morning are particularly beautiful.

The easiest way is to book your desired date at the beginning of your holiday, then we have time to reschedule if necessary.

If the weather is not suitable for flying, we will contact you. If we do not contact you, your flight will take place as booked.

Can you tandem paraglide all year round?

Yes! We fly all year (provided that flight conditions are good and cable cars are operating).

The landscape is particularly beautiful in winter. In summer, tandem paragliding is very popular.

Who is allowed to fly

Do I need previous experience?

No! There are no previous knowledge necessary.

Your qualified pilot will give you detailed instructions and is very concerned about your safety.

Is there an age limit?

Our flights are suitable for all persons between 4 to 99 years.

However, the passenger must be physically fit enough to be able to walk a few steps before take-off.

What is the weight limit for tandem paragliding?

The maximum weight of the passenger is 120kg.

It also depends on whether you can run a few meters at the start and weather the harness fits safely.

Can several people fly at the same time?

Yes! Normally, several self-employed pilots are available at the same time.You can see exactly how many in our booking calendar.

Attention: only 1 passenger flies with 1 pilot!

Time & Duration

How long in advance should I book?

Depending on the season and availability, we recommend booking a few days to weeks before your desired date. If you have already booked your holiday, then book your tandem flight date at the same time, preferably at the beginning of the holiday, then we have time to postpone in case of bad weather.

In high season we are often fully booked days in advance, sometimes you can still find gaps in the booking calendar.

How much time before the flight should I be at the meeting point?

It is sufficient if you arrive at the meeting point on time or 5 minutes before your flight time.

If necessary, please get your cable car ticket in advance and have the necessary items with you that we recommend below.

How long does a tandem flight take?

The actual flight time depends on the selected flight and varies between 15 and 60 minutes.

Please expect 1.5 hours for the entire experience.

How long are you in the air when paragliding?

The actual flight time depends on the selected flight and varies between 15 to 60 minutes.

How long does the entire experience take, including flight and transport?

We need around 1.5 hoursfor the entire experience. This includes our shuttle transportation, the gondola ride, preparations on the mountain and the actual flight.

Why can some flights only be booked from 12 or 1 p.m.?

For longer flights, we need updrafts, also known as thermals. These thermals are created when the sun warms the slopes, and this warm air eventually rises. We use this rising air for certain types of flights to fly even higher and longer. Very early in the morning, this updraft isn't yet present, as the sun hasn't warmed the slopes long enough yet.

There are also days when the sun shines from a blue sky and there's still no thermals. But don't worry, you're sure to have a great experience no matter which type of flight you choose/get.

Payment, voucher & discount

How much does the cable car ride cost?

In Zell am See (Schmittenhöhe) a mountain ride costs approx. €29,- per person.

If you do not have a valid ski pass, a Zell am See-Kaprun summer card or similar discount cards, you will have to buy a mountain ride.

The cost of the cable car ride is not included in the flight price. Please inquire about current prices directly at the cable car.

Is the cable car ride included in the price?

No! The cost of the cable car ride is not included. You can buy the ticket directly at the valley station, where we will also meet.

If you have a valid ski pass or a Zell am See-Kaprun summer card or another discount card, your cable car ride is discounted or even free.

Why don't we include the cable car ride? Because the lift prices change regularly, many guests have a Zell am See-Kaprun summer card and other discount cards or already have season/weekly tickets.

How much does a tandem flight cost?

We offer you different flights with different prices:

You can find all flights & prices here and you can book in the booking calendar directly at current prices.

Sometimes there are special offers that you only see in the booking calendar.

How much does photo and video cost?

During each flight, around 40 pictures and a video will be taken of your experience. We use the best Action cameras from GoPro.

If you feel like it, we will transfer the pictures and the video straight to your phone after the flight and you can share or edit them with friends instantly!

Price: €30,- (not included in the flight price!)

It is sufficient if you inform the pilot on site of your wish for photos/video.

How can I pay for the tandem flight?

You can book your tandem flight in BAR or with a Falken Air Coupon For groups and on request also by bank transfer and similar.

You can also pay for the cable car ticket with a credit card/debit card.

I have a discount/summer card, how do I get the discount?

Falken Air was the first tandem company to become a partner of numerous discount and summer cards.

We are partners the:

Zell am See Kaprun Summer Card,
Hochkönig Card,
Saalfelden Leogang Card,
Maishofen Card,
Piesendorf Niedernsill Card,
Viehhofen Card,
Mittersill+ Card and
Bruck Fusch Card

With these cards you will receive a Discount of € 10,- per person on the flight price (does not apply to balloon rides). You don't need to inform us when booking; the discount will simply be deducted when you pay after the flight upon presentation of the card.

How do I buy a voucher?

We offer great vouchers and experiences. Simply go to the Voucher page and design your individual gift voucher and print it immediately at home.

After ordering, you will receive the voucher by email and a second email with the invoice.

If you can't find one of the emails, it's probably in your spam folder. If you can't find both emails, your voucher purchase isn't complete. Simply start again.

Please transfer the amount to our account immediately; it is due immediately. If we don't receive the amount within 48 hours, the voucher will become invalid and can no longer be redeemed.

If you cannot find the email with the invoice, please transfer the amount of the voucher to:

Bank details:
Falken Air
IBAN:
AT14 3501 2000 0124 4219

Bic:
RVSAAT2S012

When transferring vouchers, please include the order number.

Legal information:

(These vouchers are intended as gift vouchers. Not as a means of payment for flights that take place in a few days. For this please make a classic flight booking..

Paragliding vouchers can only be redeemed in the Zell am See flying area and only during the operating hours of the cable cars.

The voucher is not redeemable for cash, even in the event of a rescheduling or cancellation due to weather conditions. Any remaining balance is also not redeemable for cash, but can be used for a new booking.

Remaining credit balances arise when, for example, only a Classic flight can be carried out with a Superior flight voucher due to a lack of thermal conditions.

The validity is 36 months. Details can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

I have a voucher, how can I redeem it?

First you need to Book a flightThe voucher alone does not constitute a flight booking. You don't need to enter your voucher number anywhere during the booking process.

You then take your voucher with you to your flight (digital or printed) and show it to your pilot. The pilot will then redeem your voucher.

The voucher is your means of payment for the flight, just like cash, for example. You can pay any surcharges or the photo/video service in cash to the pilot after the flight.

Clothing, equipment & photos

What clothing do I need?

Solid shoes
Jacket (in winter ski clothing & winter clothing & gloves)
Sunglasses (not mandatory)

Dress according to the weather conditions and the season. Wear sturdy shoes with sturdy soles (hiking shoes or sneakers). In winter, we dress like we would go skiing. You get the helmet from us. In summer, a jacket protects you from the wind and cold, especially on longer thermal flights. We recommend sunglasses all year round.

Backpacks can stay in the shuttle bus during the flight; there's no room for them on a tandem flight. It's best to leave them in the car.

What else do I need to take with me?

Wallet
Mobile phone

Please bring a cell phone with you so that you can be reached in case of weather changes or rescheduling and switch it to loud. You will also need your wallet to buy a lift ticket and pay for the flight and photo/video package.

Backpacks can remain in the shuttle bus during the flight; there is no room for them on a tandem flight.

Can I bring and use my own action camera/phone?

For safety and liability reasons, you are not allowed to use your own action cameras or mobile phones during the flight.

Your cell phone will be safely stowed in the harness during the flight.

We recommend you to fully enjoy your flight and let your professional pilot do the flying and photography work for you.

Where can I buy the photos & videos from the flight?

During the flight, your pilot will take around 40 photos and one video in HD quality with the latest action cameras from GoPro. You can purchase the photo/video package after the landing for €30 and use it immediately and share it with friends. The data will be transferred directly to your phone.

Cost: €30,- (not included)

Cancellation, safety & fear of heights

What are the cancellation conditions?

The passenger can cancel the flight at any time from the agreed flight date by email to info@falkenair.com resign.

Cancellations up to 4 days before the booked appointment are free of charge; from 3 days to 24 hours before, cancellation fees of 50% will be charged.

For all cancellations within 24 hours, no-shows, or delays, the cancellation fee is 100%, and the full fare must be paid. This fee will be demanded without exception.

Vouchers and tickets become invalid upon cancellation and become valid again upon receipt of the cancellation payment. A refund of the remaining purchase price is not possible. Remaining balances on vouchers cannot be paid out in cash or other form but remain valid.