3 Proven Drills to Break Your 30 km Barrier.

Written By Jeff Sinason

If you’ve flown 50–100 hours but still feel stuck under 30 km, you’re not alone. Many intermediate pilots know the theory but haven’t yet built the rock‑solid habits and instincts that turn lift into distance. Today I’m sharing three cornerstone drills—ground‑handling mastery, the thermal “clock‑face,” and low‑point bounce‑backs—that you can start immediately. These exercises sharpen your skills, boost your confidence, and prime you for your next big XC push.

1. Ground‑Handling Mastery

Flawless launches start on the ground. Spend 5–10 minutes daily on a gentle slope practicing reverse‑inflation laps:

  • Inflate smoothly: Pull the A‑risers to your hips, walk forward until the canopy rises overhead, then hold it gently with minimal brake pressure.

  • Control transitions: Focus on even pressure—no sudden tugs. Feel the wing settle directly above you before you let go.

  • Perfect your stance: Keep your hips square to the wing, shoulders relaxed, and eyes looking up into the center.

Why it matters: When your canopy behaves exactly as you expect, you free up altitude and mental bandwidth for everything that comes next.


Jeff Sinason