Who are we?
Skyout Paragliding has been offering tours in Colombia for about 3 years now. We have built a reputation for one of the most complete training programs for Cross Country pilots. We have worked with complete Cross Country beginners and Competition pilots both and have successfully been able to help them improve their skills and reach multiple personal bests.
These results are directly related to the fact that we have some of the most experienced and talented pilots int the world working on our team. Another reason for our astounding success is due to the fact that we have one of the lowest guide to client ratios on the market. And finally our trips are all inclusive, thereby allowing our students to completely focus on flying, without having any other things to worry about. Just show up and fly.
And finally we focus on safety above all other things. We do everything in our power to keep our clients safe and happy. We design our days based on the skills of the group and have multiple options for pilots of different skill levels. We provide gear checks before our first flights, have in-air tracking for all pilots and have all the information and coverage needed to handle issues when they arrive.
Our Team
Pal Takats.
Pal is our lead guide as he has been with from the very beginning of Skyout Paragliding. Pal has a history of being a top-level athlete not only in Paragliding but in other activities as well.
In paragliding he has over 25 years of experience in Cross Country, Acro, guiding and instructing. He has participated multiple times in the Red Bull X-Alps with an amazing 4th place finish in 2023. He has raced at World Cup levels for several years with very impressive placement at that level. He has also been a champion Acro pilot several times. Add all of that to his extensive knowledge of cross country flying and Colombia specifically and you have one of the best instructors for cross country flying you can hope for.
Flying with Pal you are guaranteed to up you game in flying and achieve goals that were not even imaginable before.
Ernesto Hinestroza.
Another stroke of luck for us has been to be able to have Ernesto as one of our guides/instructors. Ernesto has been flying since he was very young. Learning in the amazing training environment of Venezuela.
He brings over 20 years of experience in competition at the highest levels of the sport, as well as instructing and guiding. Being both a national champion and world champion. Ernesto has amazing skills for navigating the challenges of cross country flight and is able to easily share the solutions to problems with his students. He has an amazing way through his infectious attitude of making difficult tasks and concepts very easy to grasp, understand and apply.
Him and his wife Annalena own a full time tandem business in Garmisch Germany.
Chuck Woods
This year we are lucky to be able to able to add Chuck to our team. Chuck has piloted foot-launched free flight wings for over 47 years, having accumulated over 7000 hours of flight time. He has provided lessons and instruction in foot launch aviation for over 30 years in Hang Gliding and for over 18 years in Paragliding.
Chuck’s credentials include: USHPA Advanced Paragliding Instructor, USHPA Tandem Paragliding Instructor, USHPA Tow Observer, USHPA Master Rated Paraglider pilot and USHPA Master Rated Hang Glider pilot.
Walter Gomez
Walter has been an integral part of Skyout for years, and now officially steps into the role of guide with a wealth of local knowledge and flying experience. With over 14 years in the sport, Walter is not only a skilled tandem pilot but also one of Colombia’s top cross-country performers.
His deep understanding of Valle del Cauca’s weather and terrain makes him an invaluable coach for pilots learning to navigate the region. Walter has an exceptional ability to translate conditions into strategy, helping visiting pilots gain confidence in new environments.
In recent seasons, Walter’s achievements have expanded beyond guiding. He has earned recognition as the top pilot in Colombia on XContest and has secured multiple wins and top-ten finishes in the Sport Racing Series competitions.
Known for his infectious enthusiasm and positive energy, Walter doesn’t just guide — he inspires. His blend of competitive excellence, local expertise, and approachable coaching style makes him a cornerstone of the Skyout team.
Aaron Maldonado
** Colombian-Venezuelan paragliding pioneer | 33 years of experience | Piedechinche specialist**
Aaron brings a lifetime of passion—and over three decades of paragliding experience—to Skyout Paragliding. A true pioneer of the sport in Colombia, he’s been actively flying since the very beginning, with an unparalleled understanding of Valle del Cauca’s thermals, terrain, and weather patterns.
As our XC Coach & Training Program Director, [Name] has guided pilots at every level toward high-performance cross-country flights. His expertise spans basic XC progression to advanced 100 km-plus days, and he consistently logs more flight hours and kilometers each year than almost anyone in the country.
A storyteller as much as a master pilot, he infuses every lesson with the love of free flight he captures in his photographs and poetry. Based in Piedechinche, he leads our training programs with deep regional knowledge, contagious enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to every pilot’s growth.
Jeff Sinason
As the owner and organizer of the Skyout Paragliding tours it has been an honor to be able to work with some of the most talented pilots in the world to bring the best possible Colombian Experience to our fellow pilots. Thank you all for the opportunity.
I have been flying Paragliders for over 10 years now and have trained extensively with many of the greatest pilots in the world. I have trained in cross country extensively with Pal Takats and have extensive SIV experience also.
I have experience flying all around the world flying as some of the most amazing sites. I bring good experience to help in the guiding and mentor newer pilots to achieve their undreamt goals.
My goal as always is for you to have the safest, most fun experience possible on our tours.
Lina Maria Duque
Lina joins our team this year as another one of our excellent team. She brings with her an intense knowledge of the flying community and excellent communication skills to get things done.
She has been around the Paragliding community for a long time and has all the names and numbers of people we will need to solve any situation that arises.
Add to that her artistic skills to make beaded bracelets to match your glider and her fun personality and you will find her to be an amazing asset to our team.