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Jérôme Daoust Paragliding (school information) by Jérôme Daoust , revised 2023/8/5
1. Contact 2. Purpose 3. Expect 4. Services 6. Flying Sites 8. Pricing 9. Meet your Instructor / Mentor 10. Testimonials |
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Send an email to get all my contact info. I live in San Jacinto (Southern California, USA), see Google Maps. You are welcome to stop by and talk about your goals and ask any question.
I'm taking it easy at this stage of my life (born in '62). I don't need more income. I enjoy sharing my paragliding knowledge and making friends, so I want to do this while avoiding the liability risk of student's early flights, corresponding insurance or managing a business. Starting October 18, 2021, this is possible with an adapted Learning Process, which you can join from the start or at the last stage of Mentoring (free if you bring me to launch and we both fly).
· Highest quality advice & knowledge. I wrote Tips for Paraglider Pilots and have been paragliding since 1989, US P5 Master rating since 2001, US advanced instructor 2012-Today, Instructor's instructor 2014-Today, Mini-Wing instructor 2014-Today. Owner of a PASA (Professional Air Sports Association) school 2016-2021.
· Someone organized and dependable. I like to get things done, and will meet you at the time/place agreed.
· Understanding over memorization. The best way to learn is through the understanding of the mechanisms, instead of memorization. My patient nature and stable mood, encourages proper understanding. My background of Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) allows to take you as deep as desired, yet able to explain simply and clearly.
· Objective equipment recommendations. I will not be pushing any specific equipment brands. Instead, I can help you get what is best for you (any brand) and at a discounted price.
· English and French languages.
· Guidance through the Learning Process, and being a Mentor afterwards.
· Knowledge/Theory class: Basics, Thermal, XC. Usually at my house.
· Kiting instruction, in a grassy park.
· Gear:
o Reserve parachute: Inspection, repacking (tool showcase), extraction test, incident rehearsal. Ask for pricing.
o Unbiased advice on what gear to get for yourself.
o Help you get a good price on gear from any manufacturer (not pushing any brand).
o Small rip repair. Recommendation for larger repair.
o Speed bar / Accelerator line length adjustment. Done indoor using an Aluminum suspension frame.
· When we fly alongside:
o Photography. Example 1 + Example 2.
· Ratings. Ask for pricing, it is minimal (you are not paying for all the training up to your experience level).
o Able to issue all (P1–P4) paragliding ratings: Verify experience, administer written exam and grant rating.
o Able to issue all (M1, M2) speed flying special skills: Verify experience, administer written exam and grant special skills.
o Able to issue/renew Basic & Advanced instructor ratings (instructor's instructor): Apprentice program, knowledge exam, FOI exam, teaching evaluation and grant rating.
A progression done in stages…
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Stage |
Accomplishments |
Provider |
Location |
Cost |
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Gear advice |
Recommendations for all gear, and how to purchase at a discount. |
Myself. |
Email, Phone |
Free advice. |
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Gear purchase |
Acquire all needed gear. |
US distributors. |
Email, Phone. |
Based on US distributors, who will apply a discount. |
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Pre-flight |
Gear assembly (reserve, speed bar install). Kiting training. Theory (ground school). |
Myself. |
House and park in San Jacinto, CA. |
If above stages followed: Free 6 hours of kiting and 2.5 hours of theory. |
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Early flights |
Flights until released from direct instructor supervision. |
Separate partner school. |
Based on separate school, which will account for previous kiting training, theory class, and using your own gear. |
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Mentoring |
Skill improvement beyond the basics. Thermalling. Cross-Country (distance) flights. |
Myself as mentor. |
Free when you bring me to launch with you, and then we both fly. This is independent of above stages. Only need to be friends and me being available and willing. |
Out of the typical flying sites, I most often go to:
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Soboba. It offers a blend of ridge
soaring and thermic flights.
Directions to the club and landing zone
(Soboba Soaring).
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Marshall. A great place to learn
and progress into thermalling and XC (distance) flights. One of the most often
flyable sites in the US.
Directions to the club
and landing zone (Andy Jackson Airpark).
When to buy your gear. The main parts are the wing, harness and reserve parachute. The typical latest moment to buy is after a few dozen flights, around the time of your P2 rating or when you leave your instructor's direct supervision. One can delay purchasing while in the early stages of learning, and rely on school rentals. Here are the pro/cons about buying at the start instead of later:
· Pros: Not spending money on school rentals (cost is often hidden but included inside lesson pricing). Gear is the latest design and fresh (no worries about its condition). Your gear is always available and not different between lessons, for a consistent behavior.
· Cons: Requires a stronger commitment to continuing into the sport. Early training (ground handling) is rougher on equipment, but at least you will be aware of its history/condition. May delay the start of your training until the gear is delivered.
· Neutral: Depreciation is neutral because there is not much difference between the type of equipment you would buy at day 1 from when you start flying on your own. There are many wing models that allow for use in early training, through your first 2-3 years of flying, referred to as having a "High A" or "Low B" certification.
Since I do not promote/push any brands, you get unbiased advice, and then you make the final decision. I have relationships with the US importers (or largest dealer if no unique importer) for:
Advance, AirDesign, AirG, Apco, BGD, Companion, Dudek, Gin Gliders, Gradient, Flymaster, High Adventure, Icaro, Independence, Kortel, Niviuk, Nova, Ozone, PHI, Skyman, Skywalk, Sup’Air, Triple Seven, U-Turn, UP, Woody Valley, XC Tracer.
You will buy from them (not me, I just help setup your discount) and get the gear shipped to you. I want you to be happy about your gear choice and I will help you get a discount to make you doubly happy.
See the Learning Process and Equipment Purchase sections.
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Jérôme Daoust · Flying since 1989. Photo album. · Author of Expanding Knowledge / Paragliding and Tips for Paraglider Pilots available in 20 languages. · USHPA ratings (status): P5 (Master) since 2001, Advanced Instructor 2012-Today, Instructor Administrator (instructor's instructor) 2014-Today, Mini-Wing instructor 2014-Today. · Owner of a PASA school 2016-2021. Retired in good standing. · Has a passion for thermalling and cross-country flights. · Often wears an orange flight suit. · 2020 USHPA Commendation: Trophy + Article. · Flying above Marshall launch →
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Testimonials (in name alphabetical order, you can search for latest year)
Adam Claydon-Platt, Australia, 2013/1/24:
I just finished up one of the best weeks of my life, learning to speed fly with Jerome. His professional instruction was the perfect way for me to learn. I especially liked it how, even while I was flying towards the Earth trying to pull a 360 at low altitude, he would speak over the walkie talkie with the calmest sounding voice, to say "slow down your turn", instead of cry out "stop turning idiot, you're going to crash!!" :)
Thanks for being so thorough in your teaching method Jerome, for answering all of my (very frequent) questions in detail, and for always treating me with respect and like I was a VIP. I look forward to flying with you sometime in future when I return to Soboba!
Adam Colton, California / USA, 2014/5/19:
Very focused and organized. I like that he had a checklist for the day. Values your time and wants to make the most of the day. Calm and direct with his thoughts and critiques. Gives you his full attention and wears a killer orange jump suit. He prefers Denny's over Mexican and has a robotic vacuum cleaner.
Albert Sharp, California / USA, 2018/5/22:
I had the privilege to train with Paragliding Instructor Jerome Daoust. He is patient, knowledgeable, and safe. Every training day he provided tips and insight across a broad range of flight topics, all designed to help me be the best pilot I could be. I witnessed the respect he had earned from so many other pilots and Instructors and that, coupled with the quality training I was receiving, confirmed for me that I had chosen the right instructor. Thank you Jerome, happy flying.
Alejandro Marmol-Velez, Texas / USA, 2019/3/15:
I found Jerome through recommendations of fellow pilots in my club. I had the chance to invest a week to develop my flying skills after my P1/P2 training had stalled due to unfavorable weather. The three days of one to instruction I took advanced my flying skills by an order of magnitude. Jerome is a very meticulous instructor and followed strictly all safety measures. He reviewed my prior experience, goals and expectations and made sure no time was wasted. We averaged 5 flights per day, no training hill sleds but actual mountain launches with good airtime. He refunded my money for days that were not flyable and politely declined to teach on days on which weather would not permit to make the maximum use of my time and money. The site (Marshall) is amazing, with plenty of opportunities for a novice pilot like me to rehearse basic control maneuvers and learn the basics of thermalling. The LZ at Andy Jackson can only be described as “posh” and the atmosphere from other pilots and instructors is relaxed and welcoming. Jerome was very patient and his instructions over the radio were calm, concise and really put me at ease. He accommodates to each pilot learning style, and lets the pilot progress at his/her own pace. In between launches, instruction is non-stop: Jerome is a former aerospace engineer and his breath of knowledge in all things paragliding is almost encyclopedic. Yet he is able to convey relevant concepts in very simple and engaging terms and has a good sense of humor. We had instruction regarding weather, when to launch or not, launch techniques, equipment, maneuvers, thermalling, etc. while waiting for launch, during the rides to launch and during lunch break. This is the best investment one can make and I hope to return to Marshall soon to enjoy the amazing flying conditions.
Alex Chiang, California / USA, 2016/5/2:
I've been having the time of my life this past month! Thanks to Jerome, I soar the blue skies while staying as safe as one can be in this sport. Here is what I observed during my overwhelmingly positive experience with Jerome:
- Jerome has a vast knowledge bank of anything and everything related to paragliding. On top of his regular lessons, he will answer all your questions during lunch, while driving, while waiting, or while walking.
- Jerome is a very safe pilot and teaches you to be the same. He has never had to deploy his reserve in 27 years! Rather than being a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, he advocates flying within your limits and having fun while staying safe.
- Jerome is exceptionally organized and dependable. He will always be early to your meetings, and always answer your emails promptly.
- Jerome goes above and beyond your expectations for an instructor-- he gets you discounts on gear, invites you to his house for harness setup, reserve packing, or kiting practice, and gives refunds for half-day flying due to weather. Each day of instruction lasts from early morning all the way to sunset. He's calm, friendly, and has a good sense of humor. It's obvious that all the pilots at Marshall respect him.
To be honest, it's hard to imagine a better instructor and I strongly recommend Jerome to anyone thinking about paragliding!
Alex Segler, California / USA, 2019/8/2:
I couldn't have asked for a better instructor! Jerome has excellent attention to detail, knowledge, and patience. Jerome spent a lot of time compiling a list of gear that suited me as well as setting it up for me. He was also able to answer every question I had about paragliding physics, aerodynamics, and meteorology. When it came time to fly, he guided me via radio to the areas with the best lift and how to thermal correctly. I highly recommend Jerome as a paragliding instructor!
Alex Xavier, Oklahoma / USA, 2017/3/14:
***Three consecutive days of paragliding instruction*** (This is from my experience. And, I was the only student present at the time. YMMV.)
To Person reading reviews,
There are many excellent instructors available. However, I tried to find one that would fit with my goals, learning style, future paragliding endeavors, and had a reasonable cost. (This instructor finding process took a bit of time. Location, weather consistency, instructor/school attributes, etc. Because, I figured when I was in the air, I needed to know how to deal with whatever situations occurred, and knowledge to prevent things. I can't emphasize enough how important this was to me.)
Jerome is calm, kind, courteous, and patient.
Reverse kiting seemed to be my biggest challenge area. He was attentively calm every time. As time progressed, before providing input, he would ask me what I think I did or didn't do that would make progress. One particular repeated issue was helped by his suggestion to hold a riser a bit differently. It helped. Other times, I kept making a repeated mistake. But, he was consistently pleasant in feedback. This helped me tremendously because when I'm trying to learn something new, too much positive or negative emotional input detracts from me learning the process.
Jerome is very observant and provided feedback.
During a 'between' time (I had this one thing left to accomplish, and we were waiting for the wind to be a bit more cooperative), In the surrounding area, he showed me signs of thermal activity that was in progress. (Even in a sort of downtime, he was still teaching!) Some of the signs were subtle, but he would point them out, and tell me how it all worked together. Another example was a small plastic loop (price tag attachment for clothing) on this top that I was wearing. I kept reminding myself that I was going to remove it but kept forgetting. At one point, he said he noticed it some time ago, then removed it. (It could snag on something. It was a possible safety issue.) Another example, with reverse kiting. At times, I would unintentionally do something that would need to be corrected. One particular thing was a slight twisting motion. He noticed this, on top of all the other things (good and correctable) that I was doing. And, informed me of this twisting, how it affects the performance of the thing that I was trying to accomplish, and how it was used in higher wind kiting and as a technique in another wing-sport. The many observations and rapid feedback was helpful in learning to observe my own positives and deficiencies, so I could progress.
He made efficient use of time, and allowed me to participate in some of the itinerary decisions.
There is a fair amount of information to know about weather, it's effects on the environment, and how that may allow or not allow particular paragliding activities.
The first day, the weather was cooperative for me. It seemed that we were able to accomplish a fair amount of things without having to give extra attention to the weather. (This doesn't mean the weather wasn't a factor! Conditions are always a factor for safety. As a total beginner, I couldn't even begin to appreciate the amount of attention he had to take in account and figure how lesson plans would fit most efficiently.) I ended up with two good flights that day.
The second day, we still had a number of various activities to cover, and the weather was a bit less cooperative. However, he still made it all fit so the day had very little downtime and made efficient use of our time.
The third day had weather that seemed less cooperative than the second day, and we only had one thing to cover. At the end of the second day, he had notified me of how conditions might limit available time to cover the one activity, and gave me options for the third day. I wanted to try to squeeze in all the possible time, and I was aware that there might be some downtime, so I opted to show up for that day and try to make use of it. (I live half of the country away from California, and changing the return time would have been not easy (work, flight, pet arrangements, other reservations, etc). I had only expected half of the time in March to be reasonable anyhow.) On the third day, weather wasn't as cooperative for the one activity.... but, he still continued to teach me things: what the weather was currently doing, and how it wasn't ideal for what I was trying to accomplish. He helped fill gaps in my knowledge. Answered questions. Talked about many other things too (his breadth of knowledge is more than I could fully appreciate... and it's not all paragliding stuff either.) In short, I still learned stuff and it nailed the thought home that to safely paraglide, sometimes we have to wait on conditions. Hmmm... similar to life.
Cost. For the quantity of information, and quality of instruction, I thought the cost was quite reasonable.
Regarding the time from the end of the three days to the next time, he offered hints and tips on things that I could do where my next instructions sessions would benefit.
Overall, I think he helped me start building a good foundation of knowledge, skills, and evaluation techniques. I think his attention to detail and how it factors into the decisions that he makes is something that I greatly benefited from... and I'm sure I don't know the quantity of thoughtfulness that was put into those three days, as well as his overall instruction.
I had an excellent time, and want to go back! I hope the adventure continues...
Update, 2017/8/23… August 2017: 750 & Marshall sign-off and P2!
On my first trip to launch off Marshall (first day), I think parts of me decided that being up so high and leaving the ground with only fabric and string was a bad idea. Thankfully, most of me decided that I still wanted to go. After a failed forward launch (didn't let go of the A risers, very elementary mistake), I asked him why I was making such simple mistakes... that I know are mistakes! He talked me through some of the psychology and physiology of what might have been happening. After a small number of botched launches and rationally working through the processes, I had a successful launch.
Landing was probably my weakest link. After talking about it, and suggesting some things that might smooth out the landings, my landings did get better.
There were many times which his attention to detail was much appreciated. There were times where his explanations of phenomena (natural & pilot) helped things make sense or connect seemingly random bits of information in my head. He is very efficient with time management, so not to diminish the finite amount of potential flying time. (Ex: There is a span of time on the drive to launches. I would often get feedback or instructions on stuff to do next time during those drives.) Jerome is not only attentive and informative, but freely shares knowledge.
Andy Jackson Airpark is an incredible place, and I'm grateful that Jerome was my instructor.
Alexei Smirnov, California / USA, 2016/5/3:
Jerome is an excellent paragliding instructor. He is highly organized, methodical and professional. He has a great deal of technical knowledge in the field and he is effective at transferring this knowledge to his students. As an instructor, his patience and 'bedside manner' allow his students to progress at their natural pace - fast or slow.
Alfonso Arreguin, California / USA, 2017/6/13:
Jerome is like a big library for paragliding. His years of experience, combined with his technical knowledge, make him the best instructor you can find; he will give you his full attention and time, he will teach you how to be safe and how to have fun. In my short time flying, I have seen others teach and I can easily say that you will not find someone better than Jerome. My advice, short and simple, go with Jerome and you will not regret it.
Ali Adeli, California / USA, 2019/8/15:
I spent half a day with Jerome to get singed off as a visiting P2 pilot to fly solo from Marshall (it is otherwise a P3 launch). He did not guarantee to sign me off after half a day and told me he would need to observe my skills; I think this was very professional of him and appreciated it. I am a P2 pilot with some thermalling experience and (aside from the site’s P3 requirement) wanted some instruction at this site before going solo.
Jerome was very organized and explained all I need to know about the area: LZ and approach, when (not) to launch, what to look for, where to search for thermals, usual weather patterns in the area, where not to go, what to look out for, what to do in an emergency (i.e., white stripe laid out in LZ), etc. During the flight he was giving me calm instructions over radio when needed.
Overall, I would highly recommend him as an instructor and/or for anyone who is visiting the area for her/his first time.
Ali Baghestani, California / USA, 2015/10/1:
Jerome has this amazing calmness and patience which gives you the peace of mind to really focus on your training. He is very safety conscious and teaches you to be the same, which might be the most important thing with this sport. As an aerospace engineer he not only teaches you to fly, but can also explain the dynamics and mechanics in a way even I could understand. Jerome, with his vast experience, is extremely friendly and humble and truly gets you to a safe, positive and lasting flight experience. His non fancy website is a golden chest full of information and available to all. Location: Unlike Santa Barbara/Pine/etc, Marshall is a really good place because it is flyable roughly 300 days per year. With its several height levels (750', and Marshall peak) it is also an excellent place to train and you can be in the skies for many hours. Unlike mentioned locations, there is also a nice community which embraces you with help and support. Being through some locations and flight instructors, I can really recommend Jerome / Andy Jackson Airpark.
Allen Thoe, California / USA, 2015/2/15:
Jerome has been extremely helpful throughout all stages of my paragliding career. He has the ability to teach beginners to advanced pilots and is a tremendous bank of knowledge. Thanks for all the lessons throughout the years Jerome!
Alp Tilev, New York / USA, 2013/1/24:
Jerome was my instructor for a day while I was flying in California and his attention to detail and extensive knowledge about flying made my day of flying an incredible learning experience.
Amanda Craft, California / USA, 2017/8/29:
I recently received my P2 rating through a paragliding school, but at the end of the training, I didn't feel quite fully prepared to fly on my own yet; relegated myself to 'sled rides' for a couple of months. Signed up for a weekend of instruction with Jerome where he taught how to judge flying conditions and talked me through thermalling. I learned a lot of information about deciphering the weather and how it relates to flying. I feel much more confident about judging the flying conditions and thermal mountain flying.
In between flights, Jerome was engaging; discussing paragliding topics and asking questions to provoke my critical thinking about concepts. He was great at imparting as much information as he could in our short time and finding the gaps in my previous training. Overall, I feel the weekend of training with Jerome really helped bridge the gap between the basic P2 skills I learned in the school, and taking my flying to the next level.
Ames Flatow, Connecticut / USA, 2019/5/27:
Jerome’s expansive base of knowledge and decades of experience inspire trust and confidence. Whether you have a family that depends on you and need to be safe, or just want to have a great time learning to fly from an instructor that’s reliable and responsible, Jerome is your best choice.
Andrew Fox, Colorado / USA, 2018/7/13:
I contacted Jerome when I was visiting Southern California from Colorado, initially about a site intro at Marshall. I ended up spending a day of training with Jerome and received my P3 sign-off from him. I'm very glad that I did! Prior to meeting Jerome, I had worked with several of the most well-known schools/instructors in the western US and had read a lot of the great instructional info on his website and had talked to people who recommended him. Jerome was the best instructor I have ever worked with. He is amazingly knowledgeable about the sport but what makes him different than other instructors I have worked with is his patience, organization, efficiency, and focus on safety of his students. Jerome will be respectful of your time and maximize your time with small groups and individualized training and organization focused on skills and information each pilot needs to get the most out of the hours you spend training, adding value to the cost of your training. For example, on the day I trained with Jerome there was one other student and he had written up a list of goals and objectives and topics to cover for each of us (different goals and objectives for each of us obviously). I have worked with many instructors and none were this focused on the needs of the students and this organized. As a result of this we were able to cover an amazing amount of material in a day. The old saying: "any monkey can paraglide and any monkey can teach any monkey to paraglide" is very true. So, it is incumbent upon a new pilot to select the best instructor they can given their requirements (location, time, cost, etc) and it is a decision that should be given great consideration. Choosing Jerome for your training is a smart move and you enhance your fun and safety in this great sport!
Andrey Ulanov, Washington / USA, 2014/1/1:
Four of us made a one-week trip to Soboba to learn paragliding and speed-flying with Jérôme. And it was an amazing experience! Despite tight schedule and sometimes non-cooperating weather Jérôme was able to adapt the program so that we could finish our ratings in time. Jérôme is not only a great pilot, he is also an excellent teacher with immense amount of patience and did a great job of pointing out our mistakes, so that we could learn from them to become safe pilots ourselves.
Angel Lorenzo, California / USA, 2021/6/6:
I'm a visiting P2 from the Bay Area who signed up for a one-day private lesson with Jerome to better my thermalling skills and to get a site introduction and sign-off at Marshall. He has been recommended to me by a pilot at my home site.
Jerome has been an excellent instructor and guide! He can explain pretty much anything with great theory. He is like a walking paragliding encyclopedia! More than that, despite only signing up for a 1-day lesson, Jerome has been as helpful to me as he can. He made sure to email me whenever he's flying so we can fly together, helped me fix up a little issue I had with my reserve parachute, gave me resources so I can check the weather and confidently fly on my own, and he helped me do harness/speedbar adjustments… all free of any charges. Oh, and since he has seen me fly and he knew that I have the qualifications, he issued me my P3 and endorsed additional skills.
I totally recommend Jerome. He will be a great instructor whether you're a new student wanting to paraglide for the first time, an advance rated pilot who is looking for someone who can show you around the flying sites, or anything in between.
Anthony Faulds, California / USA, 2013/1/24:
I have greatly enjoyed having Jerome as an instructor. He has a lot of experience and it shows. I have learned a lot, but most importantly I have learned how to fly safely. Paragliding is a mix of beauty and danger and Jerome’s instruction has basically eliminated the danger element by making me a very safe and cautious pilot. With safety coming second nature, I have been able to enjoy and learn a lot about flying and look forward to getting my P2 and on and flying in locations around the world. I would highly recommend Jerome Daoust to teach you paragliding.
Arjan Kars, Netherlands, 2023/4/4:
As a foreigner flyer, Jerome helped me out getting my P3, and fly Marshal and Soboba. Jerome seems VERY Knowledgeable about the local weather patterns and general meteorology and taught me where to look for when you're at the launch at Marshal and Soboba. Although I had some trouble getting off the launch of Marshall, Jerome kept calm and explaining me what was going on in the valley, explaining when it would be the better time to launch. He was right with predicting the winds and thermal cycles, and that helped me a lot for deciding when to launch. Jerome would let you make your own choices, but I wished that I'd followed him more at Marshal, because I launched early and my flight time was significant less then him and the others launching later. During the flight Jerome speaks over the radio to give you an idea where you can find lift and what to expect from the local situation. Jerome speaks very clear and calm and therefore is very easy to follow. Jerome is a safe instructor and before you go to the launch of the mountains Jerome would always do a site intro at the landing. Explaining where to find turbulence and what patterns are best to fly. Off course this is very helpful for you to decide where you're going and what you're doing. I have several years of flying experience on different sites, and I never have had so much information about the local sites that I have had from Jerome. And I think it is really good to get that familiarization, because figuring out yourself can be tricky. Still after some flying experience, I have learned a lot from Jerome about Meteorology and flying practice/techniques. With all that I felt very welcome flying, and I would say that I probably wouldn't have had such good flights without his help and information. Right when I e-mailed Jerome, he set me up getting the right papers and connecting me to the local clubs and flying sites. Thank you very much for that Jerome, It couldn't have been better for me! I hope we get to fly again!
Arnie Frankenberger (2012 USA paragliding champion), California / USA, 2013/2/2:
Jerome was a great mentor for me as I transitioned from coastal soaring to mountain flying. His local knowledge, years of experience, and methodical teaching style made the transition a smooth one for me. He kept me out of trouble and passed along the do's and don'ts of flying Marshall in the summer. In addition, Jerome's web site (expandingknowledge.com) is a treasure trove of information for new and experienced pilots alike.
Beau Lambert, California / USA, 2016/6/6:
During my training Jerome was very patient, sharp, quick at assessing my skill level, was efficient with our time & energy and he knows how to instill confidence. For lunch we got a bento box on day 1 and a hamburger on day 2. His Subaru brought us up the mountain 10 times and I flew down. It's evident that he can teach all levels of Paragliding. He is a great instructor to say the least, and I look forward to picking his brain next time I see him at the landing zone.
Becky Opel, Ohio / USA, 2013/4/27:
I am someone who has become captivated by the sport of flying, and yet at times am still a little intimidated. Jerome accommodated the timeframe of my trip (on short notice) and my aptitude quickly and with patience. He is obviously a natural and is able to teach intuitively. He has an ability to identify/adjust not only the physical maneuverings' needed to fly but the way your mind is processing the information as well. Additionally, he makes it affordable to learn. I am grateful for the experience!
Bikash Pandey, California / USA, 2018/8/6:
Jerome is really an awesome instructor. I needed a sign-off to fly Marshall and I spent a day learning from him. He is very patient and lets you learn at your own pace. His guidance on a radio was really helpful, he doesn't miss anything like he will mention something like look at the wind sock before you land etc. He is very humble and very knowledgeable regarding the air dynamics. I learned a lot from him in a single day.
Bill Hardesty, California / USA, 2014/1/28:
It's been great to learn speed flying and paragliding with Jerome. He has a very easy methodical approach to the sport and his teaching. He keeps everyone calm and every student I've seen under his instruction at Soboba has progressed very quickly. He is a wealth of knowledge, it's easy to ask him questions, and his website is outstanding. I can't wait to get back out there and do some more flying.
Bill Smith, California / USA, 2013/10/15:
Yesterday I spent over an hour having my reserve inspected and being instructed on proper inspection techniques and proper repacking. This was done in great detail and I learned a tremendous amount about deployment, test deployment, visual inspections of seams, stitches, finger locks, various lines, diaper connection point options, types of rubber bands to use, where the airflow was intended to be for quick even opening, and much more. If you know me, you are not surprised to hear I had many questions which were answered professionally. This gave me confidence I had never felt before in a potential reserve deployment. I had gone for months flying with the original packed reserve without the foot strap breakaway being properly installed. Yesterday I became aware of the potential for the same conflict between the speed system and reserve system and now know how to avoid that with several different and simple options. This was the smartest investment I’ve made In a while. By the way, I did this locally right near Soboba in a clean well lit environment. Our local USHPA Instructor, Jerome Daoust was the professional. I highly recommend that if you have been a bit remiss in following suggested guidelines for reserve inspection and repacking you might also benefit from talking with Jerome.
Bob Destefano, Arizona / USA, 2014/3/12:
I came out to Soboba to do a one day coaching session with Jerome at Soboba. We ended up working together for two days, one at Marshall, and one at Soboba. The evening glass-off flight at Marshall was just spectacular. As a teacher and a new P2 pilot, I have much to say of Jerome's teaching abilities. He is safe, calm and thorough in his teaching, extending my skills and pushing my ability that perfect amount. We got three launches from Marshall in one day, and four from Soboba on the second day before the weather closed us out. I learned a lot about flying, thermalling, and handling my wing in slightly more turbulent air. Jerome's instructions over the radio are calm and just what is needed when it's needed. I recommend him highly, and look forward to flying with him again this summer.
Bolek Kulbabinski, California / USA, 2021/9/2:
Jerome coached me for two full days and introduced me to thermal flying in Andy Jackson Airpark. I learned a lot and had a ton of fun along the way. Jerome is incredibly patient, knowledgeable and focused on details. He took me to multiple launches, guided all my flights over the radio and spent extra time between flights explaining various concepts and answering questions. I highly recommend Jerome, especially to anyone who can appreciate a healthy dose of theory and science to back up the instructions. Thank you!
Brendan Kramer, Alberta / Canada, 2014/4/22:
Awesome experience, the instruction from you was top notch… Your knowledge of flight, and weather was extremely helpful, and the facility was great for learning different launches, and getting a good feel for the different types of wings. Highly recommend anyone interested in either speed flying or paragliding to take this course!
Brianna Goehring, California / USA, 2014/5/29:
I was completely new to paragliding at the time that I began my three-day block of paragliding lessons. From the onset, it was immediately apparent that Jerome is not only a very experienced pilot, but also that he is a very skilled teacher who's calm, encouraging demeanor helped me get my feet safely off the ground in no time. It is evident that Jerome teaches paragliding for the joy of passing on that experience, and that makes him all the better teacher. Throughout my lessons, he was completely focused on my instruction and intuitively gave me feedback in such a way that I felt that I progressed very rapidly. With only three lessons under my belt so far, there's no doubt that I need more guided instruction, and there's no question that I would return to Jerome to receive that instruction.
Bryan, California / USA, 2020/10/21:
I had recently completed my P2 with another instructor and was looking to get a site intro so I could fly at Marshall. I would describe my time with Jerome as so much more than just a site intro; it was basically a mini thermalling clinic. Jerome has a wealth of knowledge and his expertise helped me become a better pilot. Whether you’re getting your P2 or just looking for a site intro, I would highly recommend Jerome.
Bryan Bertsch, California / USA, 2013/5/25:
Hi Jerome! Thanks for spending 3 days with me, teaching me everything I needed to know to get off the ground in a speed wing! You really made me feel comfortable and because you are so knowledgeable, I gained a quick appreciation and thorough basic education throughout the entire process and it was a blast! You’re knowledge of the sport, the gear, the wind and all other technical aspects really helped to keep me calm and as a result I learned fast and felt very competent from takeoff the landing. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you in Soboba!
Casey Orr, Alaska / USA, 2013/3/2:
A week with Jerome learning to fly speed wings is perhaps one of the best experiences of my life. His love for flying, knowledge and understanding, and the people he instructs has formed him into the best of instructors. His methodical, professional, and joyful guidance as I learned to fly, as well as helping me find the right wing will keep me coming back for years to come. If you're looking for the path to a lifetime of safe and conscious flight Jerome is your guy.
Cathy Olsen and Tim Keogan, Alberta / Canada, 2017/4/4:
We came to Jerome as very low airtime pilots wanting to further our experience and gain more airtime. Jerome seemed like a very knowledgeable and professional instructor based on his excellent website. Our expectations were met and exceeded during the three days of instruction and guidance we received from Jerome. He is very reliable, always on time or early, and answers emails promptly. His organized manner using a checklist for accomplishing goals for the day, and his methodical approach to judging exactly when the flying conditions would be right for us made us get the most out of each day, and if only half the day was flyable he gave us a refund for the other half. Jerome is very calm and patient at launch and talks to you on the radio just the right amount while in the air (giving thermalling tips etc.). Jerome's vast knowledge of weather, and everything to do with paragliding was very obvious and he happily shared tips about flying, weather and cloud observations, and answered any of our questions while having lunch or waiting for a good time to fly. All in all, we felt like we were in very good hands and were able to safely further our paragliding skills at a great site with an exceptional instructor.
Cedric Jacquemin, California / USA, 2016/7/9:
I came to Jerome with two goals in mind. First of all, I was looking for an instructor who could help me get back in the air after 3 years without flying and secondly get an equivalent USHPA rating in regards of my French FFVL Rating so I could fly everywhere in the States with ease. When I looked around for an instructor in the SoCal area, I came across Jerome's website and found a tremendous amount of information, knowledge and tips. I thought immediately: “Wow, this guy knows his stuff”. Add to this, that Jerome is passionate about what he’s doing, then you should look no further, you’ve found the best instructor around…! (just look at his quals and how long he’s been flying. He teaches instructors and only a few of them nationwide have all the ratings he has!) And the thing that Jerome is fluent both in French and English was just cherry on the cake.
Then I went for my training day. He didn’t take long for him to evaluate my skills and then subsequently customized my training, so I wouldn’t waste my time on things already acquired.
I was his only student that day and it felt like I had my own private instructor with me. He told me that it is the way he sees Teaching. Even on a busy day, he never takes more than a few students, so he can provide a better instruction, customized to each student’s needs. He’s patient, calm, helpful, kind. He has a very methodical approach, has always safety in mind and will leave no place to chance… So if you have any intimidation to start flying, fear not, he’ll put you right in confidence. After some ground handling, a written exam and few flights, I finished my training day with a brand new shiny USHPA rating.
Being a former fighter pilot in the Navy and flight instructor myself. I can tell you that Jerome has all the qualities that make the difference between a standard instructor and a great, fantastic teacher and mentor. I will continue to seek further instruction and tips from Jerome as often as possible and definitely pass my next rating with him. Thank you Jerome for being such an amazing instructor!
Cesar Lopez de Castro, California / USA, 2017/9/20:
Dear Jerome, it has been a real pleasure working with you yesterday. I learned so much from you from take-off techniques to weather understanding and forecasting. You are a true gentleman and I felt a connection with you right away, as soon as you pulled in with the same car that I drive! I will keep reading and learning every day because I’ll be a PG Pilot for life. We will be in contact so I can expand my knowledge of Paragliding with you. Regards mon ami !
Chad Cleerdin, New Mexico / USA, 2014/10/14:
Jerome is an amazing instructor; moreover, he is an example of what a teacher should be! He inspires the new pilot from day one, helping to grow one's confidence through all aspects of paragliding, thereby enabling that individual to become an independent pilot. His passion for paragliding is self-evident, and that translates into superior knowledge that is brought forth to the student in a very discernible manner. Jerome is patient, calm, and understanding, which helps to alleviate any nervousness that one may feel. He is always on time with the day planned in advance, thus maximizing each day's training based on weather predictions for various flying sites. Jerome gives great feedback after each flight in a constructive style that helps the student learn and progress safely. This amalgamation leads to excellent flight experience. It was certainly a privilege and a pleasure earning my P-2 rating from Jerome! Thank you again.
Chad Fazio, California / USA, 2019/7/3:
Jerome is an outstanding paragliding instructor! He helped me take the flying skills I'd developed ridge soaring and apply them to mountain flying. Over the course of our flights he evaluated my abilities and left me with simple feedback to improve, always keeping a watchful eye. He is well organized, a wealth of information, approachable, and (most importantly) easy to spot in his orange jumpsuit. I look forward to future flying days with Jerome.
Charles Vadnais, Québec / Canada, 2015/1/1:
J'ai bien apprécié ma formation avec Jérôme, en ayant des explications claires, tout devenait plus facile. Il est un grand pédagogue, calme, patient, ce qui me convenait parfaitement. Sa grande expérience fait de lui un instructeur des plus doué, il aime son sport et aime partager son savoir. Merci encore.
Translation: I really appreciated my training with Jérôme, with clear explanations, everything became easier. He is a great teacher, calm, patient, which suited me well. His large experience makes of him a most talented instructor, he like his sport and enjoys sharing his knowledge. Thank you again.
Charlie Reis, California / USA, 2018/1/3:
I was given Jerome’s contact info by a friend who had taken lessons with him before. This couldn’t have been a better recommendation. Jerome is an incredibly knowledgeable and supportive instructor. Having had 16 hours of flight and instruction under my belt, Jerome taught me a ton of valuable information that I didn’t already know. Jerome provides a good balance of instruction and independence. He is not overbearing but offers just the right amount of support and instruction. Jerome knows the Marshall site very very well and was helpful in improving my thermalling skills there. I couldn’t recommend Jerome any more highly!
Chris Amann, California / USA, 2021/8/10:
Jerome helped me with thermalling and shared lots of valuable tips about the San Bernardino sites and the local community. I now feel well prepared to fly here and I feel much more comfortable with flying mountain sites in general. Jerome is patient, reliable, and friendly.
Chris Buzzetta, New Mexico, 2016/4/6:
I came to Jerome with the goal of learning paragliding while being safe. A P2 rating is a good indicator of that and I hoped to achieve it. One thing you will notice right away is that Jerome does not guarantee any rating. He also doesn't speculate about your ability or make predictions about when you might get a P2. This is odd to the average student shopping around since most schools offer a certain number days or a time frame on when to expect a rating. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. Jerome has the experience of working with many students. This gives him the perspective of knowing that some students are quicker or slower than others. He will progress you based on your skills and safety. On our first day, we progressed quickly. I always felt that I was learning something new and once I was "good enough" (Jerome's term) at a skill we moved on to something else. This all culminated in a 750 foot flight at the very end of the day! It was fantastic to be able to put all the modular skills together into a 5 minute flight at sunset. From a training perspective, it allowed me to start feeling out my wing and furthered my progress for the next day. You can expect to be continually challenged. You get what you pay for. One-on-one training with the best instructor, at the best site is worth every dollar. Thanks Jerome!
Chris Koury, California / USA, 2019/9/6:
Jerome was the most knowledgeable instructor I have had, and I have had around 5 instructors. He helped me understand how to stay in thermals much better in just one day, and how to manage my wing to maximize my ascent rate and capability. He definitely has a fair price compared to other instructors in the Southern California area and Marshall is an incredible site to learn and get better at. I am excited to have Jerome as a contact now as one of the most advanced pilots in the US, possibly even the world who is willing to share his knowledge. Thanks Jerome for an awesome day!
Christian Britt, California / USA, 2019/11/9:
I truly appreciate all the advice & wealth of knowledge Jerome has shared. When I made the decision to learn to paraglide, I did some research. Looking for a safe & professional atmosphere while concerned about keeping the cost to a minimum; Jerome quickly stood out as an obvious choice for my goals.
In my opinion, Jerome’s training is unsurpassed. His dedication, experience, and structured lessons make your time & money efficiently spent. If you get the hang of it, the first two lessons will be the most physical as you learn the basics of controlling the wing. Jerome is there every moment and his radio instructions while flying are excellent. Chances are he will lead you into a thermal.
Beyond the lessons, Jerome offers unbiased recommendations on equipment & offer excellent insightful advice to all your questions. I feel it’s a privilege to have been taught by Jerome. Many thanks!
Clyde Ford, California, 2018/5/29:
I found Jerome while searching the internet looking for an instructor in my area. Before I even asked Jerome to be my instructor, I asked lots of questions and he promptly replied. I proceeded in booking a week of training several months out and asking questions all the way up to my scheduled week of training. I found Jerome to be an excellent instructor as well as being very patient, especially during the reverse kitting training. Jerome’s knowledge of the sport is second to none and is evident in the fact that other instructors even ask for his opinion and input.
During my training, I liked the trust and respect we developed for each other as instructor and student. There was never any disrespectful horseplay or bantering and focused on my safety and training. I really liked the fact that Jerome wanted me to succeed, and if that meant driving me to the 750’ launch site or Marshal all day, then that is what he did. I noticed other instructors would only take their students up once or twice while Jerome took me up all day long as long as weather permitted.
If you are serious about paragliding and obtaining your rating, you can do no better than having Jerome as your instructor!
Cody Gauer, Alaska / USA, 2013/10/10:
For once, someone is telling me I need to go faster and turn quicker, speed flying is for me. Jerome's instruction was complete and thorough in all regards. Having no flying experience, he took me through all the necessary steps required for me to take my first flight. The course had a good mix of theory, practice, and hands on learning. My experience was great.
Coleton Ulmer, California / USA, 2013/12/4:
Learning to fly couldn't have been easier! Jerome's teaching style is just what I hoped for, it was progressive to my personal learning curve and didn't follow strict guidelines or goals. I was out of my car and in the air in no time! He could answer any question I could possibly have asked but he was so thorough without over complicating in explaining the first time around that I had few questions anyways. I would highly recommend Jerome to anyone who wants to learn to fly.
Colin Taggart, Oregon, 2019/2/15:
Jerome is the best instructor I've ever worked with. Some instructors have a lot of experience but aren't great teachers. Jerome has both massive experience and knowledge, but is also adept at passing his knowledge along to the student both in discussion format but also in real time during flights. He's crazy good at explaining concepts - the drives up to Marshall were jam packed with information that I swear he could have been reading from a textbook. He is very professional as well, quickly returning emails or phone calls, and making your time a priority. Jerome Daoust is an asset to the paragliding community.
Cory Young, California / USA, 2021/10/19:
Jerome is an incredible pilot, communicator, and most importantly teacher. I met Jerome about five years ago. I was recovering from a near fatal speed flying accident. My good friend thought it would be good to get back in the air, I agreed and we ended up at Marshall. Jerome, was the only other person on launch. Unlike other local pilots, he was very courteous and helpful, and in a few minutes gave us the best site introduction possible. He even knew what time we should launch, and at the time I had no idea how right he was. The flight was uneventful, I sank out pretty quickly and landed safely. Which was normal and I was so nervous that I didn’t enjoy it the way I did before my accident. I flew a handful of times since the accident, but I didn’t enjoy it, I was scared although I didn't admit it to myself at the time. So, I stop flying, but I still wanted to. I got married, I even went to the Soboba a few times but I didn’t even take my wing out of the bag. I need to be safe and I didn’t feel that I could trust myself to make good decisions.
Finally, I wrote Jerome an email. I expressed my concerns and asked him to look at my equipment. He said if it was him, he would not fly it and recommended a suitable wing. My biggest challenge at that time was finances, he made it happen. He told me that I could use my old harness and reserve as well as my vario and that I could do it safely but not the wing. He was able to give me a discount and I was able to afford the best wing possible regardless of brand or personal gain in the form of commissions for pushing a certain brand. We had a lesson, and wow. I felt like a VIP, when I got to our pre-establish meeting spot, I was surprised to find out that I was the only student that day. And I also found it strange that Jerome did not bring his paragliding gear. As was the case my other classes. When I asked him, he simply said "today is all about you Cory". And it really was. He knew all the launches, how to read and forecast the conditions. He knew what I was ready for. Conditions were not quite right at the first place we tried, so he took me somewhere else. I was very nervous, after a few missed launches I was in the air, with Jerome on the radio. And my brand-new wing above me... If I recall, I had three excellent flights that day. It also left me with the confidence and hunger for more.
Since then, I’ve had a few more lessons with Jerome, working with him in more challenging situations. It took a little bit of time, and quite a bit of patience. But I don’t feel scared like I did after my crash. I feel safer than I did. I really can’t say enough good things about Jerome as an instructor, he’s patient, he’s an excellent communicator, he is safe, and fun. He knows when is it OK to go for it and when it is too dangerous. If you’re thinking about improving your skills, if you value enjoying yourself and flying safely for the rest of your life, I recommend using this valuable resource. I wish I would’ve started with Jerome, thank you my friend, thank you for giving me back what I lost, thank you for showing me how to be safe and for sharing your knowledge. I’m looking forward to many years and many flights thanks to what you shared. Thank you.
Coty Mayo, Alaska / USA, 2015/1/24:
My time spent working with Jerome Daoust to earn my basic instructor rating was highly productive. Jerome draws on his background as an engineer and is extremely organized ensuring that the vast amount of time is spent working towards the course goals which are clearly set forward. Jerome is always calm and collected whether on the radio or pouring over paperwork. He is a wealth of knowledge for those willing to listen and ask the right questions. As a PG pilot of six years, I was able to gain a new level of understanding as we discussed why we react with certain control inputs instead of blindly following what is recommended. I feel this will dramatically improve my teaching as well as my own understanding and safety. Thank you Jerome.
Dale Schneider, British Columbia / Canada, 2013/12/18:
I had a great time learning speed flying, Jerome has a fantastic way of teaching confidence and safety and on my first day we even made a launch from 1300 feet. I have never done any flying of any type before and Jerome taught me to fly in 3 days. His calm personality and positive training made it easy to feel safe and progress quickly. There is a lot of mental stress that I never anticipated and I was pretty exhausted but I made many flights and felt very comfortable and confident to continue on my own after my last day of training, thanks to Jerome's constant attention to details and compliments, and relentlessly chasing me up the mountain LOL.
Damien Germano, California / USA, 2015/1/6:
The amount of knowledge and experience Jerome possesses is truly amazing. His ability to custom tailor a training program to account for a student's strengths and weaknesses allows for a very fast learning curve. I began working with Jerome as a skydiver transitioning to the world of speed flying. He seamlessly merged what I already know of canopy flight into the world of mini-wings and launching, and he was always willing to delve farther into theory and the principles of "why" to do something.
When I decided to take on paragliding, Jerome was an obvious choice for my instructor. Once again he has proven to be an huge help. He gives advice with a critical eye for the finer points of flying, while allowing me just the right amount of freedom to learn on my own. I would recommend anyone desiring to get into the world of paragliding or speed flying to seek out Jerome and his expertise.
Dan Berlandy, California / USA, 2017/5/29:
Jerome is a fantastic instructor. He arrived early every morning meticulously prepared to spend every minute of our time together toward progression. We as beginners place ourselves in quite a vulnerable place in our search for flight. We cannot know what we do not know, and have to place trust in our instructors to guide us through. I would encourage anyone to put their trust in Jerome. He will keep you safe in the early stages, laying a solid foundation on which to build. His teaching style is patient and calm, but not overbearing. You will learn the independence necessary to make the decisions for which you alone will pay the consequences. And you will have loads of fun doing it. Thanks a heap, Jerome, look forward to seeing you in the air!
Danger Charles, Missouri / USA, 2013/6/20:
Learning to speed fly with Jerome Daoust was a truly engaging and unique learning experience. I came away not only confident in my abilities, but with a toolbox of tricks and knowledge that I would never have expected to learn and that I suspect many other instructors wouldn't be able to impart. Calm, patient, and passionate I couldn't think of a better person to learn from. Thanks Jerome!
Daniel Cortez, California / USA, 2015/9/21:
Recently certified P2 but needed a sign-off for Marshall, Jerome is a fantastic instructor, very professional and made me feel comfortable throughout the process. I would highly recommend Jerome for any type paragliding instruction. Andy Jackson Airpark is a great place and also perfect for kiting. I can't wait to return for more flying. Thanks again Jerome!
Dave Berry, California / USA, 2014/6/22:
Jerome has all the qualities I could ask for in an instructor; he is patient, communicates directions clearly, demonstrated skills before asking me to do them, adjusted his lessons to my ability, punctual, humble in his accomplishments, relaxed, he "walked the walk" when he hiked and flew with me, and he gave me his full and undivided attention each day. With 25 years of experience as an active pilot, competitor, teacher, and administrator, as well an impressive professional technical background and knowledge of flight and weather theory, I give my highest recommendation for choosing Jerome as a coach and instructor.
Dave Oddy, California / USA, 2018/9/10:
I recently spent two days of paraglider mountain training with Jerome. Prior to that time, most of my flights were coastal soaring with only a few hours of mountain flying. I was, as Jerome called me, a "smooth P3!"
I really wanted some expert coaching in how to find and stay in thermals as well as a check of my basic flying technique. My time with Jerome was worth every penny. Even in the light conditions with which we were presented, Jerome gave clear advice and radio instruction that helped me to make the most of the short flights, striking a perfect balance of instruction when needed and silence when he knew that I needed to work things out on my own. I could tell that my safety was his top concern as he was extremely conscientious of launch timing, pre-flight double-checks and post-flight safety critique. He was patient with my questions and listened carefully to make sure he understood what I was asking. Jerome also made some critical equipment adjustments that made an immediate improvement of my flying technique and comfort.
It was also a pleasure to see the rapid progress of Jerome's other students. Some, with only a few hours of flight time, were already better mountain pilots than I.
Thank you, Jerome, for a wonderful two days of expert instruction!
David Angel, California / USA, 2017/8/28:
I felt like I was missing critical experience and understanding befitting my designation, so I sought out further instruction to address my ignorance. Jérôme was recommended to me. He rapidly assessed my weaknesses and provided me with tools and experiences which vastly increased my safety, and accelerated my progression. I was impressed with his attention to detail, organization, and impeccable professionalism.
David McOmber, Arizona / USA, 2019/5/16:
5 out of 5 star review. I would strongly recommend a friend or family member to Jerome! If you are looking for a paragliding instructor, you are in the right place. I just finished a two day session with him and am very pleased!
It is obvious that his first priority is the student's flight experience. We rescheduled 4 times because weather conditions were below average. Prior to each session he provided a thorough weather update with recommendations then let me choose to continue with training or reschedule. Clearly, he is willing to be flexible to realize the best training conditions. Our patience paid off and we were rewarded with several great flights.
Jerome's caliber of training in combination with the venue of Andy Jackson Airpark is hard to beat. The launch sites at both 750 and Marshall were very doable and the HUGE grassy LZ is a big plus. He is very professional and organized in all communications and demeanor. If you're considering learning to fly, you will be very happy with Jerome, however don't delay. He mentioned planning to retire as an instructor in 3 years.
David Pearson, California / USA, 2013/4/25:
Learning with Jerome has been extremely fun but most of all, it's been packed with knowledge from every angle. Jerome's approach is well rounded… from understanding wind on a micro and macro level, to understanding my gear and system, to the theory, and most of all the experiential. He has a knack for making the process relatively simple and he does it in a relaxed but very attentive way, which inspires confidence. Jerome's ability to understand me and the way I learn has been apparent throughout. Plus, he's an interesting guy (with a great fashion sense) to spend time with. I would recommend him to my closest of friends.
David Stevenson, California / USA, 2014/7/10:
Today, I took my first unassisted, unsupervised paragliding flight (at 57 years old). Alone, at 650 feet, I completed a successful launch and a textbook landing. I became a paraglider pilot. My instructor, Jerome Daoust, would have been proud. From day one, where I found myself more ground turtle than flier, Jerome has been there. Calm, patient and encouraging, he made the difference between me flying and packing it in and going home.
I remember one sunny day after making a perfectly awful landing (my very first training landing) I found myself flat on my stomach kissing the desert floor at Soboba. I had just completed what Jerome called a “record”, training flight down the training hill. (I had come to hate that hill - it’s the walking back up with the wing that sucks!) I’d brought plenty of water as instructed but neglected to drink it in sufficient quantities and suffered the consequence which was a full-on case of stomach cramps. Jerome, calm as ever, walked down the training hill and over to me. He looked down and politely inquired if I was OK. I said yes, and after ascertaining in fact, that I was OK, simply turned around walked back up the hill to my fellow student awaiting his training launch.
Once Jerome determined that I was ready for my first real flight, he sent me up to 250 feet and by radio, talked me through to my landing – which again, wasn’t pretty. While in flight, by radio he encouraged me in the things that I did right and after landing, again, encouraged me and asked me about what I thought went wrong with my landing. After listening patiently, he explained to me what happened, why, and how to avoid the same thing for future landings. The second landing was much better than the first and though all of my flights weren’t perfect, I can now launch and land safely. When I was committed, sure that I wanted to be a pilot, Jerome recommended gear and helped me to get equipped.
I am a pilot now, thanks to Jerome’s knowledge, skill as an instructor, and especially his patience. If you are thinking about learning paragliding or speed flying, go to Soboba and talk to Jerome.
David Webb, California / USA, 2019/3/22:
I came into PG completely new and with zero flying experience, with the exception of a quick tandem ride. I consider myself a pretty detail-oriented and methodical person, so I began to do some homework on instructors, flying sites, and gear. To be honest, my search was met with quite a bit of frustration and disappointment - instructors would not answer my questions by email, some schools required purchasing specific gear from them with little attention paid to the unique body or needs of the student, and some flying sites had unique physical characteristics making them less-than-ideal for someone with no experience. Some of the coastal sites, as I also learned from talking to other students and instructors, seemed to also produce pilots with a limited range of experiences, with little to no interaction with mountain sites, thermal activity, and multiple launch techniques.
Coming across Marshall as being at about my limit of geographic convenience and contacting the instructors there, Jerome was quick and detailed in his responses to my (many) questions. From day one, our time was used very efficiently - no time wasted, and information was dense but digestible. Growing up with an engineer, I appreciated his methodical approach to introducing me to flying and ensuring that I had the knowledge and confidence to make safe and sound decisions as I start to go off on my own, both on the ground and in the air.
Dennis P Coltrane, New Jersey / USA, 2014/3/5:
Jerome is an excellent instructor. His experience level and love for flight instruction is clearly apparent. He has a very relaxed, calming demeanor that makes learning fun and easy. As a professional skydiver who has just spent two amazing days learning to paraglide, I would highly recommend his program.
Derek A, Philippines, 2017/5/8:
Jerome is very professional and thorough in all aspects. From the moment of first email contact he was very detailed and practical - Taking his time to understand my experience level and expectations for the training session to come. We met at Andy Jackson Airpark and Jerome was punctual. He efficiently ran through all the necessary paperwork and had a list of accomplishments we were to go through for the day. Without much ado, we proceeded up to the 750 launch site. He wanted me to set up as I would normally set up and prepare for flight as he silently watched (and rechecked) my routine. He gave me a few helpful tips and before long I was ready to launch.
I had emailed to Jerome a couple of my launches ahead of time and this helpful for him to initially understand my level of skill. Nonetheless he was very cautious with the pace of our training and made sure that we were both comfortable with the launch site, conditions vis-a-vis my skill level. Safety was always at the forefront of Jerome's mind.
Throughout the day, I had great comfort that Jerome was always on the lookout for my safety and in improving my paragliding skills. Between flights we reviewed the theory and he filled in the gaps where I was weak. He has amazing knowledge and insights in paragliding.
I got my P2 rating 7 months ago but have had limited flight time. I was looking for an instructor who could review my skills and help me progress further. Jerome was amazing and far exceeded my expectations. Thank you Jerome!
Derek Cash, California / USA, 2017/6/21:
Over the days I spent with Jerome he was nothing less than calm, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. Any little question would get a thoughtful, thorough response and there was never any pressure to perform making it one of the least stressful training environments I have ever been in. I would absolutely recommend Jerome as anyone's first instructor who is looking to get into the sport.
Dewain Baker, California / USA, 2015/12/4:
I just completed six days of PG training with Jerome. Started in late Sept and finished in early Dec. From day one I knew that Jerome was the right instructor for me. I wanted someone who was calm, knowledgeable, and had a strong focus on safety. Jerome is all this and more! He takes his time with you and explains things very clearly. He also has very good recommendations for books and equipment. He helped me pick out my equipment and pointed me to the right sellers. He answered all my questions calmly and thoroughly (as many times as I need to ask the same question!). I consider Jerome a great teacher and resource. For now, he has equipped me to fly safely at Marshall. Now, it's up to me to gain the experience and practice. I plan to use Jerome for advanced training in the future and would highly recommend him to others for PG training. Thank you Jerome!
Dima Vadalazhski, California / USA, 2018/3/9:
My friend and I - both P2 pilots - came to Marshall to gain more knowledge and experience in the thermal flying. Before Marshall, we've had several mountain flights, some ridge soaring experience and a lot of sled-ride flights. Jerome shared with us knowledge about the local conditions, checked and hugely expanded our understanding of the theory of thermal flying, taught us how to judge if the thermal conditions are within our limits. I especially enjoyed the radio coaching, which was quite fruitful as it was only two students, Jerome stayed on radio until he saw that we got the idea how to catch thermals of the day (which took probably two hours in total). Discussion between flights covered our questions, which we got while flying also helped understand what we should do in the air. Now, I have feeling that I gained essential knowledge how to catch thermals, my thermal flying got some logic (as opposed to random turning here and there), I understand how I carry vario and now, I actually know why I have it. I think, my turns got improved because Jerome pointed out what there was to improve and explained what exactly I needed to change to do the improvements. All time we spend with Jerome was used very efficiently thanks to the Jerome's approach to organizing the process.
Though, it still will be a lot of air time and coaching for me to get better at flying thermals, but I feel that I got plenty of knowledge during the time spend with Jerome. Thank you, Jerome!
Dimitrijus Sazinas, North Carolina / USA, 2017/11/4:
I had a great opportunity to work with Jerome on my visit to California in November. Even though I have quite a bit of experience in paragliding and own my own site on the east coast, I still strongly believe that it is great to work on for skills and improve your flying under someone’s supervision. Jerome was that perfect guide and instructor for me since it was a new site for me when I came to fly Marshall. His knowledge and attention to detail was admiring. He is calm and attentive to all your questions and needs. I highly recommend him to any pilot, from beginner to advanced and I look forward to working with him in the future!
Don Croft, Idaho / USA, 2018/1/4:
I found paragliding as an old guy (past retirement age) and it's been my main passion for three years. I've traveled a lot (coast to coast) for this sport, attended an SIV in Utah two summers ago, then a cross country clinic in Washington last summer. I was only seeking certification to fly Marshall and Crestline this week during my visit to San Bernardino and after Jerome checked me out I was rather shocked when he invited me to test for P3 and said I might even be close to qualifying for P4.
I've had good instructors and less-than-compatible ones and Jerome's at the top of that scale and also qualifies as friend. He only instructs one or two students at a time in order to give them each his full attention. A big bonus for me was that I was able to clearly understand him on the radio, which is a first. I had rather given up on radios on account of my poor hearing.
I'll be seeking more instruction from Jerome the next time I drive down here from N Idaho.
Donald Simon, California / USA, 2013/7/8:
What a blast! [umbrella school name] provided a perfect experience. Most helpful of all was my flight instructor, Jerome Daoust. Trained as an engineer, Jerome brought that same methodical, step-by-step approach to his speed flying instruction. Learning a new series of physical action can be challenging, because there’s so many elements to keep in mind as you progress through the activity. This is true when learning to swing a golf club properly, and it’s even more true with Speed flying. Jerome made the process easy by breaking down each movement necessary for a successful and safe flight. I knew I was in good hands, and that proved to be the case. With an emphasis on safety, the patience of a grandmother and the skill of a seasoned paragliding/speed flying pilot, Jerome made my speed flying experience everything I hoped it would be. He loves the sport and helping others jump in. Thank you for Jerome!
Dylan Warburg, California / USA, 2019/5/7:
I had a lot of fun learning to paraglide with Jerome. He is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. Anytime you are with Jerome, other paragliders recognize him and ask him for small tips or observations on the days conditions which he is happy to give. He is recognized by all as a true expert in safely putting distance between yourself and the earth. Why learn from anyone else?
Ed Huckle, California / USA, 2015/9/9:
I had Jerome as an instructor when I went through the check-off process to be able to fly at Marshall. He is very different from other instructors I have encountered. In addition to having an encyclopedic knowledge (and intuition) about the physics and techniques of paragliding, he is a TRULY professional guy.
He explains things in exactly the terms that you will understand, and adds extra information that would be useful in the future. He is very dependable and punctual, and has excellent judgment about safety concerns. Also, the prices that he charges are very reasonable and perhaps cheaper than others of comparable quality.
I would ABSOLUTELY tell anyone in the SoCal area to go to him first when thinking about becoming a paraglider.
Ed Hunsinger, North Carolina / USA, 2017/10/7:
I had the pleasure of flying Marshall under the guidance of Jerome Daoust, one of the best instructor/teacher/mentors I have ever worked with. Jerome adapted his guidance to meet me where I was. He is calm, knowledgeable, a born teacher at heart and ever eager to help me understand all aspects of PG, weather, micro-climates, etc. I am a P3 from North Carolina and have been flying intermittently over 18 years, but I was feeling rusty when I arrived at Marshall. After a few flights with Jerome on the radio, I quickly regained that old sense of comfort and confidence in ridge lift, thermals as well as launches and landings. I had multiple flights under Jerome's direction including one of the best flights I have ever had. Jerome is great! I will definitely be back to learn more from his vast wealth of knowledge and skill. Thank you Jerome for a memorable trip.
Eddy Borysewicz, California / USA, 2013/10/10:
After a frightening accident and 9 years of not paragliding, I was very hesitant to get back into the sport. After meeting Jerome Daoust and taking a few refresher courses with him, my mind was quickly put at ease by his professionalism, knowledge, and overall teaching technique. He inspired me to consider flying again and to take up a hobby I once abandoned. Thanks to Jerome, my confidence is back and I can again feel the freedom of flight. Thanks again for the boost, and "Bravo" for being such a great instructor!
Erick Aldrich, California / USA, 2018/4/9:
Jerome is not only very knowledgeable, experienced and organized, but he is also a great teacher. He not only knows the most appropriate thing to say to the student at any particular time, but he also listens to the student so that he can provide the best, safest and most efficient instruction to each unique student.
His calm, straight forward communication, and consistent application of key safety elements makes for a confident student that can progress at their own pace. There is always a balance between pushing the student so that they can progress the way they should be, but at the same time making sure to not allow the student to do things beyond their safety level or comfort level. Jerome knows very well how to keep this balance for each student, and helps develop the trust that the student needs in his instructor. Thanks Jerome!
Erik Davitt, Connecticut / USA, 2017/10/12:
Jerome was a great instructor to learn from during my visit to Southern California. At the time I was still working on my P2. Up to that point I did not have any experience with thermalling and my longest flight prior to working with Jerome was 7 minutes. On my first evening of instruction I flew 1 hour and 20 minutes! What I most appreciated while with Jerome was his priority on safe flying while on the ground and in the air. He definitely has a lot of experience and it shows in his instruction. Next time I am in the area I will definitely look him up for another lesson or two!
Erik Fryman, Alaska / USA, 2014/1/23:
Spent three days on January taking the speed wing course at Soboba flight park. My instructor was Jerome and I could not have asked for a more knowledgeable, professional and patient instructor. Jerome made me feel comfortable on the speed wing from the first flight with his detailed instruction and calm demeanor. I was able to progress quickly (I’m a P2 paraglider) and was flying the speed wing from the 800ft launch on the first day. Jerome corrected me on some things that I was doing wrong on my landing approaches, and by the end of the three-day course I had all the little quirks ironed out. Soboba flight park is a great place to learn and practice your speed flying and paragliding and I highly recommend Jerome as your instructor if you do come.
Evan Mathers, Alaska / USA, 2015/1/22:
Over two separate trips I have worked with Jerome on getting my P3 rating and my Basic Instructor rating. Both times I found him to be extremely knowledgeable, and very safety conscious. He makes sure that you know what you're doing, but also has a relatively hands-off approach that helps for learning and for finding the pilot within yourself.
Fabrizio Boriero, Italy, 2018/9/3:
I live in Italy and I am close to completing my paragliding course there. I have to spend a month here in California so I decided to find someone that could help me to fly also during this period abroad.
Jerome was the only one that replied to my request and I am very happy to be under his supervision for a day of flights. He showed all his long free-fly experience with many small suggestions that had a big impact on my learning. I had the possibility to try, for the first time, a thermal flight and it was an experience that I will never forget.
Under his supervision, I felt at home at Marshall.
Fedor Zhdanov, Washington / USA, 2013/10/24:
Jerome is one the best instructors I had in any discipline. He is incredibly thorough, and able to explain all the concepts in detail, separating important and less important content. This makes learning easy and understanding deep. After any surprised behavior of the wing, he is able to explain what exact move has triggered the behavior, and for the whole course has never been mistaken. He is also extremely patient and calm when a students' wing shows unexpected movements. I enjoyed a lot learning from Jerome.
Felix Castillo, California / USA, 2013/5/29:
I came to [umbrella school name] with a skydiving background and zero speed flying / paragliding experience. Within moments of the course beginning Jerome displayed a wealth of knowledge in speed flying / air sports far beyond what I was expecting before the day began. His understanding, explanation, and professionalism made for the optimum learning environment.
Felix Castillo, California / USA, 2015/2/2:
Having previously taken the speed flying course with Jerome in 2013, I returned this year for the paragliding course. Jerome kept the course interesting and at a good pace through the entire day. As with the speed flying course, Jerome displayed a wealth of knowledge in the sport and he explained the course information in a way a student could easily understand. He provided excellent debriefs and made maximum use of the time we had available. I will certainly return for future training, and I highly recommend his school to anyone interested in learning to speed fly or paraglide.
Frank White, Alaska / USA, 2023/3/31:
I had the pleasure of meeting Jerome on my recent family trip to Temecula. We met at his home which is conveniently located within a stone's throw of one of Southern California’s premier P2 soaring sites. Soboba. My visit included a written test for a P3, and a reserve chute repack.
Jerome is friendly and welcoming. As soon as you enter his space, he gives you 100% of his attention and he makes everything very clear about the goals and expectations of the lesson. Having an instructor that is passionate about flying gliders while remaining patient and focused on the safety of his students is a really great asset to the flying community. I feel safer after discussing concepts and real-world scenarios at Jerome’s school and after we repacked my reserve chute together, I have a far better understanding of how to maintain it and successfully deploy it if ever needed. From now on I will be going to JD Paragliding for my glider equipment and service.
Gabriel Huang, Québec / Canada, 2019/9/27:
I was a visiting pilot from Montreal Canada who wanted to fly at Marshall Peak, and needed an instructor to get a USHPA membership and instructor sign-off. I picked Jerome Daoust as an instructor because of his website expandingknowledge.com which has a ton of information, not just on the flying sites, but on paragliding techniques and knowledge in general (I highly recommend browsing through all the resources he has made available). During the 1-day instruction, I learned a lot, despite already being an autonomous pilot. Specifically, Jerome and I talked about various subjects such as aerology, observing site conditions, flight incident management, and the potential dangers that we need to be aware of. I also learned how to check the weather sites and to determine whether flying is safe or not (although that is a constant learning process). Overall, I am very happy to have taken instruction with Jerome, and I felt confident flying on my own after.
Gareth Ashworth, UK & USA, 2013/7/1:
I was looking for an instructor that could help me back in the air after several years of inactivity. It was clear to me, partly because of the detail in this website & his reputation, that Jerome knew what he was talking about. Jerome helped me gain my US USHPA rating and also repacked my reserve. Whilst doing so, he found an error in the way it was originally packed that could have caused problems with deployment. This goes to show how important good training with the right instructor is! It's obvious that Jerome has a wealth of knowledge and I learnt an enormous amount in the time I spent with him and will hopefully continue to look towards him for further direction. Merci, Jerome!
Gastón Nogués, California / USA, 2015/4/15:
I had been wanting to learn paragliding for over four years. In that time I did my research, visited several schools, had a tandem flight in San Diego as well as a day course in Santa Barbara to see how I liked it. I met several cool people at these schools and the experiences only furthered my interest in the sport and my desire to become a pilot, but, I felt that something did not quite click with me and how I like to learn. Then I met Jerome.
I instantly liked the fact that he never teaches more than 3 people at a time so that he can focus on the specific needs of each student, I also liked the fact that I was not required to purchase all the expensive gear prior to completing my instruction and that he has no specific product brands to push. Teaching for him is less business and more passion for sharing his extensive knowledge of the sport.
I was hooked and scheduled 3 days of instruction with him. His rates were super reasonable and far less than I personally bill people for my time!
We met at the flight park early in the morning and I came to find out that I was going to be his only student on those days...I had an instructor all to myself! How awesome!
Learning to fly can feel intimidating but I instantly felt safe under his watchful eye. We went over the gear, some theory and techniques and started playing. Before I knew it my feet were off the ground and I was making short flights down the training hill. We spent a few minutes after every attempt discussing what I did right and what I did wrong, my confidence skyrocketed and soon I was doing more right than wrong and flying from a 650' hill spending more and more time in the air. Those 3 days were amazing and before I left I already knew I wanted to purchase my own gear. He worked with me to select a glider and harness and got me a great price, I love my Buzz Z4 and WV Haska! Continuing my training with it has been a good choice and now I'm flying in the mountains from 3500'. Jerome and I will go up to the launch early and sit and watch other more experienced pilots and discuss the conditions, his knowledge of the sites is extensive and he has sat with me patiently as we wait for conditions to be just right for my skill level. During that time we discuss many topics that allow me to ascertain when it is right for me to launch. Mountain flying is different than the coast since you experience thermal activity that will move the glider about a little more than the nice ocean air. I'm glad to have learned in the mountains and had the experience of getting lift while encountering thermals, having the glider move about a little has given me more confidence in my gear. Jerome's awesome French accent saying my name over the radio and giving me guidance further makes me feel relaxed and comfortable and his cool orange flight suit makes it easy to pick him out against the green grass of the LZ!
Jerome is not just my instructor he is my mentor!
As a newly minted P2 pilot I look forward to continuing to build skills and soon to be thermal flying with Jerome.
George Beirne, Alaska / USA, 2013/2/2:
As a prior instructor, of demanding sports; I find Jerome to be an inspiration, and a wealth of knowledge. Taking the time to help me perfect my skills, and advance in techniques safely and proficiently. I would, will and have recommended his services to future pilots.
George Bokinsky, Virginia / USA, 2013/3/25:
Jerome Daoust recently taught me to speed fly at Soboba, and I can say, without any hesitation, he really is a magnificent instructor. He possesses patience and prudence - cultivating an extremely safe training environment, while constantly encouraging the trainee to challenge themselves, so that they may develop their skills quickly. He is incredibly friendly and humorous making for a unique and truly enjoyable learning experience - one which I will not soon forget. Thank you Jerome!
Giles Fabris, California / USA, 2014/6/2:
World class Speed flying instruction. After spending even just a few minutes with Jerome it's clearly obvious that he's a master at his game! His professional instruction is the perfect way for anyone to learn; He's calm, detailed oriented, patient, perceptive, a good listener and teacher. I had a great experience learning Speed flying, Jerome is one of the few who can teach skills, confidence and safety while making it fun. His instruction exceeded my expectations and I would urge anyone who's thinking about Speed flying to choose him if they have the opportunity
Graham Vickowski, Arizona / USA, 2014/2/27:
Jerome clearly brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his paragliding and speed flying instruction. His ground based teaching was helpful and easy to follow, and his communication while in the air made it easy to progress as a pilot. I highly recommend Jerome as an instructor.
Jack Urich, Nevada / USA, 2014/6/22:
I returned to paragliding after 8 years, with my vintage paraglider :) to get my P3 back with USHPA. Jerome is truly the best instructor I could have ever hoped for; he knows paragliding inside and out, has the teaching skills and patience of a real pro. All aspect of my experience was informative, exciting and very professional. I highly recommend Jerome for any and all instruction you may need. Thank you.
James Cockrell, California / USA, 2017/4/4, updated 2019/7/22:
You absolutely need an instructor to get into paragliding. You cannot learn to paraglide by watching YouTube videos and reading books. I mean, you can try, like I did at first, but you're going to waste a bunch of money and are probably going to hurt yourself too. If you are looking for the highest quality instruction, Jerome Daoust is your man. No amount of online research can compare to Jerome's one-on-one instruction. You're learning to do something thought impossible for almost the entirety of human history. Do not go to a random school and accept whatever instructor they give. Research your instructor, figure out their teaching style and what you want as a student. I know Jerome and I really appreciate his efficient and straight forward teaching style. For Jerome it has always been just about providing the safest and most effective way of bringing paragliders into the sky. His professionalism and calm demeanor make jumping off a cliff for the first-time stress and anxiety free. Jerome is a widely known, valued, and respected member of the paragliding community. He has been doing this for over thirty years. P5 flyer. Wind wizard. Jedi master. 10/10. A perfect place to start your flying career.
James Stark, California / USA, 2016/7/10:
I've had multiple instructors, not by choice, on my path to becoming a PG pilot. None of the other instructors were as efficient and productive with our time together as Jerome Daoust. My experience with other instructors provided for a profound appreciation for Jerome's efficiency, professionalism, and organization. I am a teacher, so it was very refreshing to witness another teacher at work. Jerome is an excellent teacher and a master of his subject. Enjoy your new endeavor with confidence that you are in good hands. Enjoy and see you in the sky.
Jamie Bishop, California / USA, 2017/9/19:
Jérôme is the quintessential coach - calm, experienced, knowledgeable, very organized and there for the love of the sport. His dry wit and wry sense of humor are a bonus. I went with Jérôme in part because I wanted an introduction to Marshall and because a couple of friends, in recommending him, happened to mention how he actually incorporates and speaks to the noises that a variometer makes while thermalling.
That sounded perfect to me. I had a very specific goal in mind for a day of coaching: make peace with the vario. I was looking to cure my buyer's remorse after buying one - and for sure, I had to break the cycle of launching from a mountain site and cruising through obvious areas of lift while horrified at the alarming sounds coming out of it. We tinkered with a few of the settings; Jérôme alone decided to turn up the volume.
He coached me through morning and afternoon flights, and I am now more attuned to the vario. Jérôme’s prompts, over the radio and from launch, matched up perfectly with the vario and I was able to start to create new associations between its noises and the air around me. Success! I also really enjoyed his assessment of my knowledge throughout the day, and his simple but scientific explanations of physical phenomena as they relate to flight conditions. Thank you, Jérôme!
Jan Schullerus, AZ / USA, 2016/9/13:
Was it a whole week? Time flies when you're flying ... in San Bernardino. What a blast! I've become a well-trained (and thrilled) P2+ in a week! 35 real flights (not counting training hill "hops") have given me an exciting introduction to paragliding. Efficient planning, concise explanations, and exceptional skill of predicting (and explaining) wind and weather conditions where the key ingredients. Let me recommend you to everyone ready to have fun and learn. Smooth rides and jaunty climbs, I'll see you in the air!
Jarred Bonaparte, Washington / USA, 2013/12/25:
I spent a few days learning to speed fly with Jerome. He was very calm, collected, and professional while teaching. He was able to clearly point out do's and don'ts while learning and because of this I was able to pick up the sport very quickly. He also took into account my paragliding background when teaching and that helped me progress as well. Overall he was fantastic to learn from and now I'm having a blast flying!
Jason Folker, California / USA, 2017/7/31:
If you're interested in progressing as a pilot, I cannot recommend Jerome highly enough to assist you in that goal. He is the friendly, consummate professional that can take your flying to the next level -- whether you're a brand new student or someone with more experience. When it comes to his knowledge of paragliding, weather, and site conditions, he is without peer. His ability to relate complex and important concepts is equally unrivalled and he does so with utmost patience and, equally as important, always without reproach. While you're flying, he will be the perennially calm, cool, and collected voice you need to guide you through stressful situations and gain much-needed confidence.
I am deeply indebted for the help and instruction I received. I came to Jerome already certified as a mostly ridge soaring P2 and spent a number of days with him learning mountain flying and thermalling skills. He had me doing nearly two-hour thermalling flights in just a matter of days. There is so much more to learn and I will be back soon for more instruction. Thanks again!
Jason Keene, California / USA, 2014/10/6:
Jerome is a great instructor; I had tried other instructors before I got to him. He assessed my skills quickly and worked with me hands off giving input when I needed it. He has a comfortable and friendly demeanor and I think would work well with any skill level of student.
Jean-Noël Michel, France, 2013/1/28. Picture of Jean-Noël on 2013/2/17.
Je suis arrivé sur le site de Soboba sans savoir qui était l'instructeur. J'ai été agréablement surpris de la qualité de l'instruction, claire, pédagogique, avec beaucoup d'attention, très bien. La bonne situation du site permet une progression facile et sécuritaire, la pente école, toute neuve est excellente. J'ai fait mon premier grand vol deux jours et demi après mon arrivée avec des conditions météo bonne au début puis une matinée pluvieuse, il faut bien que l'herbe pousse. Le même jour, j'ai passé mon niveau P1 et je suis heureux de cette bonne progression. J'espère avoir mon niveau P2 dans les semaines à venir en fonction des conditions météo, le point clés d'un bon vol. Pour finir, j'ai fait un magnifique vol de pente de plus d'une heure dans des conditions de rêve avec une altitude de plus de 1200 m, je suis emballé par le parapente, c'est génial. Merci à Jérôme pour ces très bon conseils.
Translation: I arrived at the Soboba flying site without knowing who the instructor was. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of instruction, clear, educational, with lots of attention, very well. The good location of the site provides a safe and easy progression, the training hill is brand new and excellent. I made my first high flight two and a half days after my arrival with good weather at the beginning and then a rainy morning, to allow the grass to grow. The same day I got my P1 level and I am pleased with this good progress. I hope to get my P2 in the coming weeks depending on weather conditions, the key point of a good flight. Finally, I made a beautiful flight of over an hour in ideal conditions with an altitude of 1200 m, I'm excited about paragliding, it's great. Thanks to Jerome for his great advice.
Jeff Beckman, California / USA, 2014/6/16:
Jerome has been a great teacher and coach. He's always been able to find a way to explain things in a way that I'm able to understand, and seems to know just the right balance of encouragement and advice. Thanks Jerome, for getting me into this wonderful sport.
Jennifer Cleerdin, New Mexico / USA, 2013/1/28:
A weekend of speed flying lessons with Jerome was simply incredible! I gained much confidence as a result of Jerome's tranquil nature, superb and obvious knowledge, as well as his ability to push me just past my comfort level in order to advance to the next sequential step. In addition to the knowledge gained during the hands-on course, Jerome also provided supplemental information that I was able to review and digest afterwards, continuing the educational experience. I would highly recommend this instruction to anyone interested in this sport.
Update, 2014/9/22:
I recently had the pleasure of earning my P2 rating under the mentorship of Master Paraglider Jerome Daoust. Jerome is an erudite instructor, possessing a tremendous amount of knowledge related to the sport and associated weather conditions. His training program consisted of sufficient hands-on demonstrations and transfer of technical knowledge balanced perfectly with instilling confidence to allow me to find independence. His keen ability to predict weather conditions allowed for maximum flights, placing us at the ideal location specific to the day and time of day. This allowed me to reach my P2 goal in a relatively short period of time, maximizing efficiencies. I will continue to seek further instruction from Jerome as often as possible, as it is well worth the 12 hour drive to do so, and he has so much more information to offer. The learning continues after leaving direct instruction from Jerome, as he continues to transfer a wealth of knowledge to the PG community via his personal website, ExpandingKnowledge.com/PG. I simply cannot image a more productive, professional, or rewarding experience and would submit that Jerome serves as a model of what Paragliding Instruction should entail. By the way- Jerome also married my fiancé and me at the end of our 2 week PG/ wedding trip. PG Maestro AND deputy commissioner for us on our most special day?- Truly nothing can beat that :-)
Jens Mueller, California / USA, 2015/5/6:
If your passion is to fly and you've decided Paragliding will be the way you accomplish that, then finding the right school and instructor are your next step. In my opinion, picking the right flight instructor is as important as picking the right surgeon. I believe I have found "The" #1 flight instructor in America. Jerome Daoust. I recently completed 2 days of flight training with Jerome Daoust at Andy Jackson Flight Park and was absolutely impressed with the 26 years of paragliding knowledge, his careful attention to every detail- from unpacking your wing to soaring to packing your wing properly. And your schooling doesn't stop after your flight! As you await your next flight, he teaches you about the wind and their relationship to thermals. Clouds- In 2 days, I know more about clouds and how they form and how they relate to your flying than any 1 month class I could have taken. And he does not rush. As a student with some flying experience (4 flights), I was only allowed a certain window to fly in due to high thermal activity. I got a morning session and then, weather permitting, a late afternoon session. He waited with me until the wind and conditions where just right, never risking a dangerous flight just to satisfy me and my expectations of that "big" flight. If it's not right, we were heading down the mountain. In closing, let me just say, knowing what I know now, that I would travel from anywhere to be taught by Jerome. Please feel free to call me (760-578-4139) if you have any questions.
Update, 2015/6/17: Just completed my flight requirements and called on Jerome, my PG instructor to say I was ready for my P2 test. I’m very new to flying, but I feel that with Jerome as my instructor, I can look forward to many safe and exciting hours of flight! Now I just need to get to 90 flights for my P3! Thank you Jerome!
Jeremiah Seifert, California / USA, 2013/6/18:
I took my first speed flying lessons with Jerome and have been absolutely amazed about how much fun and focus he is able to produce in a small period of time. Precise instruction that flows, relative information at the right moments. He is someone who has this incredible mixture of technical knowledge with a pure passion for the intricate nature of flight. Some people are built for instruction and Jerome is one of them, very calm and patient, friendly and funny while getting information across at critical moments in a way that builds confidence and safety.
This is an instructor to seek out, one of the best experiences I can remember!
Jeremy Brassard, California / USA, 2018/2/15:
Jerome Daoust is a professional. Learning to fly with Jerome was a great experience! With his extensive years of flying experience, he created a very effective learning environment. Jerome carries his self with a calm cool demeanor that instilled confidence through the entire learning experience. He has a great way of explaining abstract concepts in way that are simple and straight forward, there no one I'd rather have learned how to fly from!
Jeremy Jones, California / USA, 2017/7/28:
Jerome not only gave me the tools to experience flight, but he built my confidence to believe I could. Everything has an explanation. Nothing was passed until he knew I understood. The entire experience was phenomenal. Because of Jerome my wing quickly felt like an extension of myself. It was an absolute pleasure to learn with him. When the time comes to further my education and training, there'll be zero questions on who I'll be going to.
Jim Milliken, New Hampshire, 2017/12/1:
Marshall was my first mountain launch and it was well worth the visit. The best part was getting instruction from Jerome. He has a vast amount of knowledge of paragliding and does a great job sharing that knowledge in an instructive way. Our time was spent very efficiently, utilizing our ride to the launch as training time to discuss weather dynamics, flying techniques and safety. As a P1 with many short flights off small hills I had many launches and landings but very little air time. Jerome was great about focusing on the areas where I needed the most reinforcement and training. Overall, I would highly recommend training with Jerome and I plan to make another trip to the area for more instruction with him.
Jim Wilson, United Kingdom, 2019/8/14:
Today I completed my USHPA P2 check / exam, Marshall site briefing / sign-off and some thermal coaching with Jérôme.
I found him to be an excellent instructor who puts safety first at all times. He has a meticulous approach and tailors the training provided to your own experience and needs. He is clearly extremely knowledgeable and has a very calm and relaxed teaching style which certainly put me at ease. If he senses that you are uncertain about any training point, he ensures that area is explored and clarified.
I am an Airline Pilot with 18000 hours flying time, and this was some of the best training I have encountered during my flying career. I would not hesitate in recommending Jérôme as a top instructor whatever your training requirements may be.
Joe Catan, Connecticut / USA, 2016/1/18:
TOP NOTCH instructor. If you are looking for an adaptable, organized, conscientious instructor, Jerome is your man. While meticulous and procedure oriented, he is also keenly aware of your progression level. If you need more time, you will get it but if you demonstrate capability, you are moved ahead. He is conscious of the value of your time and your money. His awareness of the flying conditions and your ability are unparalleled. I started my program with another instructor back East but found that it was well worth my money (would have spent less with Jerome if I had completed the entire program just with him) to work with Jerome. I learned more in one day with Jerome than with the other instructor for the entire program. I was introduced to Jerome by my brother-in-law, another student of Jerome's, who had no flight experience. I am a commercial airline pilot. Jerome was perfect for each of us, adapting as necessary to our experience and skill levels.
John Dorrance, Virginia / USA, 2016/2/19:
Jerome was a consummate professional. His experience and knowledge speaks for itself, and his organization and clear communication skills gave me confidence as a student to digest his knowledge at a pace that worked for me. Go with Jerome if you like to know WHY in addition to HOW. In particular I like that he appears to be 'vendor agnostic' while suggesting gear choices. Also, he showed me a reasonably priced and tasty sushi place in town, so there's that.
John Dyer, North Carolina / USA, 2018/8/27:
No matter where you live it is worth the plane ticket to train with Jerome. With Jerome you are going to get professional instruction at an outstanding location for a fair price. In addition to the training, you will receive unbiased advice and discounts on equipment. Many other schools will require you to pay over $1000 up front and will only sell you their equipment. Jerome will collect one day at a time and will recommend the best equipment specific to you from a variety of manufacturers.
John Lizardi, California / USA, 2022/5/1:
I had a chance to do a training session with Jerome less than a week ago. I was surfing the internet and I saw his name and I was impressed with the fact that this man has been paragliding for over 30 years and never had to deploy his reserve. That tells me that he makes safety a huge priority in his flying. I found he was very helpful and helping me pull up the wing and doing some kind. He was always encouraging and even when he needed to correct me, I never felt belittled or discouraged. He has a natural ability to convey a message without you making yourself feel discouraged. He is very specific in his directions and I immediately felt at ease in his presence and I can tell I was progressing within a very short period of time. If you want a great instructor who has a complete knowledge not only paragliding but also the weather conditions that are most conducive to flying then this is your man. His rates are extremely reasonable and you're getting 30 years' worth of experience with him. I will definitely be using his services in the future and I highly recommend anyone whether you're an experienced pilot or a beginner to use his services. You won't be disappointed!
John Swift, California / USA, 2018/7/29:
Jerome is an incredible resource for paragliders everywhere. He understands weather and flying on a very technical level, and can easily communicate that knowledge without getting caught up in technical jargon, or glossing over important details. He asks questions that encourage you to move beyond "what" you should do in a given situation, and into "why" those actions are appropriate, or what is happening physically with the wing. I would whole-heatedly recommend any and all pilot drop by and spend some time with Jerome!
Jordan Neidinger, California / USA, 2013/7/30:
After a few years of motoring, I'm trying to pick up more soaring experience. Jerome has helped me on multiple occasions by giving instruction and insightful critique on several issues. I appreciated that he spent a bit of Q&A time figuring out what my experience level was and what I was comfortable with before unloading the important information. I found his style to be relaxed and friendly which made it easy to process what he was saying even under demanding circumstances.
Joseph Teng, California / USA, 2015/10/3:
I had a couple of lessons with Jerome and I find he is an instructor with passion, when I ask questions he explains them to me very clearly and if I still don't understand, he will email me links about those subjects. I am very appreciative for that. I like to take lessons with him.
Julie Donohue, California / USA, 2014/12/4:
I had the pleasure of learning to paraglide with Jerome recently and had a blast at Soboba. I appreciate Jerome's attention to detail and repetition which instilled a structure to each phase of paragliding. His continuous positive feedback and his calm demeanor left me feeling as though I was progressing at a good pace and left me feeling confident in my abilities. Thank you Jerome and I hope to see you again!
Justin Thomas, California / USA, 2013/11/19:
In my time in aviation sports, I've learned to fly planes, jump out of planes, jump off mountains, and fly off mountains. Jerome was definitely one of the best instructors I've had in any discipline. He allows you enough room to learn and helps you through any road blocks. Would recommend!
Karma Barfungpa, Hong Kong, 2018/1/29:
I undertook my P3 certification with Jerome in January 2018. I understand January is not the best time to fly in Marshall and the weather before and after my planned two days there was on form. My two days there had sun and thermal on the first day and wind and cloudy flying condition on the next day. Someone had planned this in advance. Marshall might arguably be one of the best paragliding places you could find; the place is beautiful with acres of spaces in front of the landing spot to fly. The local pilots are very friendly and the support system created by the flying pilots are second to none.
It was apparent right after I met Jerome that he was a methodical instructor and had a list of tasks he wanted me to perform for my P3 certification as well as introducing me to the site. This physical list is right up my quality management procedure and it was wonderful to see this being executed. I was given an extensive site and weather briefing by Jerome, the latter was more challenging as we did have almost the full weather cycle of sunny, windy and cloudy conditions.
Many of us come from different flying conditions, differing levels of skills and flying habits. Jerome does an extensive homework about the flying condition for the day, reviews the micro climatic condition that might vary and uses his decades of experience as a pilot and instructor to create visiting pilots like me an envelope of safety, succinct instruction and recommendations. It was apparent that Jerome is very observant, recognizes your flying traits, developing wind conditions and provides his recommendations in a very clear, simple and calm tone. As the condition I was flying in was very different from my domestic sites, Jerome provided clear and calm direction I should follow and learn from these new challenges.
I was very impressed by the level of service and professionalism that Jerome offered in my two days in Marshall. The value of this far exceeds what one pays and I learnt much from Jerome and would highly recommend other pilots seeking higher certification, renewal of their flying skills or just visiting Marshall for the first time.
Kasey Campbell, California / USA, 2014/2/8:
Jerome is as good as it gets. His calm, thorough explanation and encouragement builds confidence. With his extensive flying background and knowledge, he will make you a better pilot no matter what level of speed flying or paragliding you are at.
Kate Reiter, California / USA, 2017/2/20:
I decided to take lessons with Jerome from a recommendation and I couldn't have asked for a more patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable instructor. He was professional, very organized, and dependable. He always explained the 'why' behind everything and made the training sessions together both challenging and enjoyable. If you want a professional, intelligent, and patient instructor, I would highly recommend taking lessons with him. Jerome is simply the best paragliding instructor! Thanks Jerome!
Ken Cote, California / USA, 2019/5/28:
I went with Jerome for my P3. Since my P2 instruction at a coastal school, I'd accumulated the P3 flight number and time requirements at inland sites, with informal support from the San Diego free-flight community. I knew that there were gaps in my knowledge and skills, but there weren't a lot of instruction options in my area, and I'd heard that the coastal school didn't provide much inland flying as part of their P3 program. Looking farther afield online, Jerome's other testimonials, especially from other P3 students, seemed to mesh with my own personality, and it turns out they were spot on. Jerome provided a very calm, organized, informative and supportive learning environment, with thoughtful, probing questions to find the holes in my own understanding, and good explanations when he found 'em. He knows the site very well, and is appropriately conservative WRT flying conditions for his students. He was able to get myself and two other students to morning launches at Crestline and Marshall, and to a third Marshall extended soaring session in the afternoon, with excellent site briefs, and lightly encouraging inflight advice on the radio. It was a very long day for me, including the drive to and from San Diego, but I highly recommend Jerome.
Kenny Kim, California / USA, 2021/7/26:
As a visiting pilot, I was curious to fly Crestline/Marshall but didn't know anyone in the area. Upon the recommendation of my colleague, I reached out to Jerome who promptly responded and agreed to provide a full training day at the site.
Jerome is an excellent instructor and easy to work with. I found him to be detail-oriented, organized, and efficient with the students' time.
I learned an immense amount of information regarding local site features, thermalling theory, and how to best judge weather conditions for flying. On the radio, Jerome gave me useful information on where to find the best lift and tips on how to thermal more efficiently.
After a day of instruction with him, I now feel comfortable flying at Marshall, and feel I progressed as a P3 pilot. Thank you Jerome!
Kent Wien, New York / USA, 2014/2/7:
I've been reading Jerome's tips for years and so when I sought out an instructor for speed flying I was thrilled to find that Jerome specialized in this skill as well. So I met with him the day after calling and managed to get in five flights on his speed glider and later transitioned to my own glider the same day. Jerome's attention to detail, his concise and clear instructions and his demeanor all contribute toward a wonderful experience. One thing Jerome does that I've never come across; he keeps track of what he teaches his students, so he doesn't forget to demonstrate anything. Other instructors should take note of this basic, and yet overlooked technique. I may have learned as much about paragliding as I did speed flying when working with Jerome. I'm a big believer in learning from as many pilots as possible, but Jerome just may be the only instructor anyone needs. Once Jerome was satisfied with my speed flying skills, he turned me loose. He doesn't operate on a 'one size fits all' course that forces you to pay for extra days you don't need. I plan on sending my friends who are interested in learning to fly to Jerome. I was that impressed.
Kerem Kirkpinar + Demet San, California / USA, 2021/6/14:
We are local pilots from the San Diego area and first saw Jerome in his signature orange jumpsuit at Soboba coming to fly for his leisure. Word on the LZ was that "If Jerome is here, surely it will be a great day as there is no one who can read the weather better than him!". After that first impression, we kept hearing more and more positive reviews and feedback about Jerome as the instructor of many local instructors, and when the need arose for us to do a skills refresher on mountain flying and thermalling with safety, Jerome's name was on top of the stack as the go to instructor.
After a rather long absence from the mountains, we wanted to remember and refine skills which were new to begin with as relatively fresh P3 pilots. Jerome accepted us as students for a whole day skills refresher clinic. He patiently explored our objectives, skill level, concerns and once it was all clear he put together an excellent plan and curriculum for the day. We had an early morning flight out of Crestline and a late afternoon flight from Marshall Peak. Jerome provided an excellent blend of theoretical knowledge refresher and practical information as well as active guidance on the radio to improve our thermalling skills.
Thanks to Jerome and his very structured and efficient approach to teaching we had an excellent day filled with learning and enjoyment. Jerome is an instructor who can be counted on to deliver the required learning objectives while making the day as productive as possible. He has an impeccable track record on the safety front and is very well respected across the board in the local flying community. We can't think of a better mountain flying experience, we feel like we've become much more aware pilots in every aspect. Thank you Jerome for an incredible full day of fun, knowledge and flying to the maximum, it was an honor to finally meet you!
Kimball Dodds, California / USA, 2019/11/18:
I recently chose to add paragliding to my flying experiences. I've acquired certifications to fly multiple categories of aircraft over 45 years and in that time, I've learned excellent instruction is hard to find. There are many reasons why people teach. Along with aptitude, and experience, it's important you find an instructor who does it for the right reasons. Cost? This is not my primary concern when shopping for a flight instructor. I require excellent references from seasoned pilots, not other students. Jerome has proven himself to be a professional flight instructor. He has the background to know what he's talking about, the teaching skills to adapt to student needs, and the proper motivation to teach flying. In my book that means he loves flying and he loves sharing it with others. Jerome worked with me one-on-one and adapted his lessons to meld with my prior flight experience. This approach provided an excellent review, setting the stage for a productive learning environment. I received references for other paraglider instructors, some good, others not. When selecting a flight instructor look beyond the basic needs of your first flights. Jerome promotes an efficient and productive learning environment. He also brings depth to the conversation.
Kurt Leithe, Texas / USA, 2017/10/30:
Wow! What a great time and instruction with Jerome. I have taken lessons from 4 different instructors over various flying sites. Jerome is by far the best! Just that simple! You will learn safely the good habits you need for success. He is a pleasant, knowledgeable, structured, personal instructor who has a lesson plan for each day. I will always come back to fly with him! Thanks Jerome!
Ladislau Molnar, California / USA, 2017/8/3:
An extremely competent paraglider and a talented teacher, Jerome helped me improve my skills in a very short time. He is very organized, and will value your time. He will help you in all aspects of the training going beyond just the actual session, from directions to the site to recommending the type of equipment that will make the training safe and effective. His emphasis on safety both on how he organizes his sessions as well as in the type of information he conveys, makes the time with him well worth it on this basis alone. He is one of the true veterans of this sport and his understanding of all aspects of paragliding is quite extraordinary. His patience and his dedication to teaching are exceptional and it made the sessions I had with him very effective. If you are a novice or when you reach a point where you are ready to consolidate what you know and assimilate new information try a session or two with Jerome.
Lance Rocker, California / USA, 2016/3/4:
I've had such a great time learning to fly with Jerome! His depth of knowledge and experience matches perfectly with his confidence inspiring and custom-fit teaching style. He has a knack for helping people learn to the best of their potential, with a no-stress relaxed but focused teaching style. I progressed so much faster and more comfortably than I had expected, the attention and care he puts into instruction makes such a difference. That can't be stressed enough, the individual care and attention all of Jerome's students experience, feels to me like his way of giving back to the sport he loves. Thanks so much Jerome -- I love being able to fly!
Marcus Wisdorf, Alaska / USA, 2014/2/7:
I was unable to complete my P2 in Maui due to weather, so a friend suggested training with Jerome at Soboba Flight Park. I completed my P2 on Feb 4-5 2014 in great conditions at Soboba. Jerome made an evaluation of my flying abilities and then proceeded to coach me on radio and post-flight for two days as I flew laps. He tells you just what you need to know, nothing more, so you quickly build confidence in yourself and your entire flight process. He also makes sure you take care of the equipment and provides a fantastic website for pilots. I could not be any happier with the training and can't wait to go back there with my own glider as soon as I obtain one!
Mark Rumsey, California / USA, 2014/5/6:
I'm sure there are a lot of great PG pilots out there but it is rare to find one that is also a great teacher. Jerome's teaching method is finely tuned to get the most out of your day and he knows how to keep you on a perfect learning curve. I never felt that it was going too fast or too slow and because he is so experienced both as a pilot and a teacher he knew exactly what I was doing right and doing wrong. You simply cannot ask for a better instructor!
Mark Sipperley, California / USA, 2018/11/3:
Jerome was my instructor for a checkout day at Marshall. He was exceptionally detailed, organized, and made me feel very confident as a P2 to fly a new mountain site. His input and teaching style helped me visualize thermals in such a way that no other instructor had before. After only a day I was able to find and explore thermals with a great deal more confidence. I would recommend Jerome for any pilot that learns via understanding and enjoys technical details. I hope to fly with him again.
Mark Stevens, New Mexico / USA, 2019/8/4:
Traveling to Marshall CA and working with Jerome Daoust was phenomenal. Education and experience make the difference. Jerome’s background in aerospace engineering and education allow him to tailor the experience in a collegial manner. Providing insight to the physics and complex interactions between the environment, and our equipment, builds a factual understanding of the limitations and capabilities of free flight. This works toward my personal goal of mitigating risk through education and training. Adding to this Jerome’s gentle personality with patent teaching style, extensive flying, local and meteorological knowledge, rounds out the experience.
Matt Magee, British Columbia / Canada, 2013/3/24:
I just completed three fantastic days learning to speed fly with Jerome and want to say what a great instructor he is. I found Jerome to be very knowledgeable in all things paragliding/ speed flying and he always had a detailed answer to my questions. His teaching style is very thorough and methodical and at the same time relaxed and I always felt comfortable asking questions. It is clear that he has a passion for flying and teaching and I would recommend Jerome as an instructor for anyone interested in learning to speed fly or paraglide.
Max Todorov, California / USA, 2014/6/26:
Jerome is an outstanding paragliding instructor. Before signing up with Jerome, I checked out several So Cal places to train, and made a great decision to train with him. One of the challenges I faced was the fact that, I could only train one day a week, and Jerome was able to work with that. I started in early May 2014, with no experience. For the first two sessions, Jerome meticulously trained me to handle the glider. He never got frustrated with my failures, and was very encouraging and guided me to achieve the proper form. By the end of my third session, we did my first solo flight. Oh, what an amazing feeling!!!!!! After that, every session got more and more exciting! On my 5th session, I got to experience a 20 min flight. And Jerome was there all along the way! One of the things worth mentioning is that while Jerome continues to watch you fly, he slowly forces you to make more and more decisions on your own. I found it very effective. It's a very good feeling to make the flying decisions on your own, but at the same time knowing that you have Jerome there with you to correct you if needed. My last training session was the icing on the cake! I got to soar for over 1.5 hours and qualified for my P2! If you are thinking of paragliding, I highly recommend Jerome as an instructor!
Michael Jones, British Columbia / Canada, 2021/8/29:
I recently travelled from Canada to California to spend 4 days working with Jerome with a goal of developing a skills foundation to allow me to progress safely in paragliding. From the first time we communicated via email to the present Jerome has been beyond generous in sharing the wisdom accumulated over decades of safe flying.
Jerome is meticulous, professional, organized and Swiss-watch reliable and his knowledge of paragliding nothing less than encyclopedic. Jerome's theoretical knowledge of paragliding is matched by his meticulous observation of pilot and wing behavior. Jerome would notice the smallest detail and explain its effect on flight.
Jerome was also very efficient in his use of time and organized each day to best suit the weather patterns typical of the flying site. Days started early so we would catch the first favorable wind and continued until close to sunset. Lunch breaks and rides to launch were used to delve into theory and also review prior flights.
Jerome's engineering background allowed him to dive extremely deep into all aspects of flight. Jerome was able to explain the most complex topics in layman's terms but with mathematical charts as a backdrop if that interests you as it did me. Jerome also had an ability to approach a single topic from a variety of angles to help cement an understanding and adapt to different learning styles.
At the flying site Jerome was calm, patient and always aware of the interplay of weather, equipment, pilot behavior and pilot psychology. The latter allowed Jerome to both predict, explain and remedy repetitive pilot errors. When the temperature for ground handling was warm enough as to degrade pilot performance (aka roasting! ;-) Jerome showed up with a cooler that we would fill with ice and water to ensure time could be used as effectively as possible. This is but one example of the dozens of times that Jerome went above and beyond to make sure that nothing interfered with achieving our objectives.
Since departing Crestline Jerome has continued offering tips and advice on equipment, future trips etc. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jerome and believe I learned more in those 4 days than in all my prior flying days combined. In summary, I do not believe you will find a better mentor than Jerome and I am very much looking forward to a return trip to California and the energizing free flight community that calls AJX home.
Michael Rapp, California / USA, 2013/10/14:
After seeing paragliders in flight on a recent trip I was instantly hooked. I have significant background in skydiving and sailplanes, but I knew paragliding was going to be my next adventure. As luck would have it I contacted Jerome and before we even met in person the exchange of information was exceptional. He took the time to answer my questions, and there were many, and provide information I needed but did not yet know I needed. We met at the Soboba flight park and I began my training. Not only is Jerome a patient teacher, he is very safety conscious. If conditions are not favorable for safe flight, we reschedule. I felt confident during every step of my training, that I have gained the knowledge and skills to fly on my own. He helped me obtain and choose the right gear for me, set it up correctly and administer the P-1 test. I know that I am a safe beginning paraglider pilot because of the thorough instruction I have received and am confident when I launch each time I have the decision making tools now to progress towards my next paragliding goal. I would recommend Jerome to anyone who truly wants to learn to safely fly paragliders, in fact, I have, my oldest son has also recently completed his P-1 training with Jerome. Thank you Jerome.
Michal Gola, California / USA, 2019/6/13:
I have meet four paragliding instructors throughout my life. I was recommended by my friend from one flight site to get certified and get paragliding license at Jerome Daoust School (active since 1989). I decided to give it a try as I had no luck coordinating my schedule or saving up thousands of dollars to get my licenses with another two instructors around. I found Mr. Daoust to be not only the most professional and knowledgeable instructor out of all but also his rates were low comparable to the other two instructors. I liked how committed and dedicated he was during my P2 examination. He focused strictly on me and didn't fly himself even once the day he got me certified. I would highly recommend him to anyone for his dedication, professionalism and attractive flight site he runs his school at.
Michal Maretta, California / USA, 2016/11/26:
I just finished my paragliding course with Jerome, and I have to say I couldn't choose better instructor. After I found Jerome's website, I was impressed with the amount of information he has posted on it and the fact that he is one of very few pilots who has P5 rating as well as he has long flying career. I am a large build guy and my weight is over the range of XL size solo paragliders, he guided me and helped me to purchase (for a great price) a brand new small tandem wing Gin Fuse which suits me perfect. Training went very smooth and I had a great time. I would like to say that Jerome is very organized and can use every minute of the day for training, flying, kiting, theory, test depending on current weather conditions, so you get the most of every day even if conditions varies. His knowledge of local weather and flying sites is unsurpassed, and you know that he is the right guy when you see senior pilots asking for his opinion. I have great respect for Jerome and his work, for his patience, professionalism and for his friendly and respectful persona. Even if Jerome is the only trainer I had, he will always be the one I will recommend to my friends and anybody who will ask. Thank you Jerome for helping my dream become reality. I am looking forward to flying with you at Marshall.
Mike Hutton, Illinois / USA, 2013/8/31:
I just finished up one of the best weeks of my life learning to Speed fly with Jerome. He is a world class instructor and an overall great guy. We progressed up the mountain thanks in part to him safely pushing our boundaries while knowing what we were capable of. Thanks for all your help and sticking it out through the 110 degree heat and I look forward to flying with you soon!
Mike Moser, Colorado / USA, 2019/9/18:
I learned to paraglide while living in Germany. During that time, I achieved my DHV XC rating and IPPI card. Upon returning to the US and settling in Colorado, I figured that if I will be visiting established sites, I should obtain a USHPA rating to minimize confusion and began searching for an instructor to convert my international creds. As I have no such pool of instructors in my home area, I took advantage of a trip to the San Bernardino area to visit the Marshall site. Prior to arriving, I began to research the Crestline Soaring Society and instructors local to the area. Jerome’s name immediately popped out as one to choose. I naturally wanted a skilled instructor, but also preferred to find an individual who was familiar with the European paragliding instructional system. My day with Jerome was well spent. His organization was razor sharp, and his approach to instructional topics was extremely methodical- as one might expect from someone with his engineering background. Despite his relaxed demeanor I recognized that he was closely attuned to my actions and missed nothing as he assessed my skills. His wealth of local knowledge and years of personal experience provided an abundant source of learning, even during the non-flying periods of the day. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone wishing to pursue PG pilot instruction.
Mitch Szpila, Arizona / USA, 2014/11/22:
Since I have had some experience prior doing PPG I had something to relate with speed flying but that being said there were still a lot of gaps that I needed to get filled in on, I learned an extreme amount in my very short time with Jerome and he allowed me to advance at my speed and always supported me with good advice the entire time to make it a lot easier to advance. Would recommend to any of my friends or family.
Morgan Diefenbach, California / USA, 2018/8/30:
I am a new paraglider pilot and obtained my P2 with Jerome over the course of several weeks in summer 2018. I had a half day of instruction at another school prior to starting flying lessons with Jerome - just enough to understand, when I read about Jerome's teaching philosophy and others' experiences in learning from him, what a rare type of instruction Jerome offers. Expect a focus not on turning out as many "good enough" pilots as possible in a short time frame to make a profit, but rather intensive attention to you as the student pilot and your specific instructional needs, strengths, and weaknesses. In contrast with schools that teach students in batches, don't be surprised if your first few lessons with Jerome are private for maximum focus on you.
Instructional quality: Jerome has the wisdom of a sage - and the patience of a saint! I initially struggled with kiting, and he provided calm, even-tempered instruction even when I repeated the same mistakes for hours one afternoon in triple-digit temperatures. Jerome's own safety record as a pilot speaks for itself, and the knowledge he imparts with every lesson is a testament to his extensive experience with the sport. Every instructional day was optimized for the best use of time, weather, and curriculum. The instruction does not stop when the flying does - when midday conditions are too intense for newer pilots to fly safely, expect lessons in how to read the clouds, wind, and other weather indicators to help you make safe decisions when you are signed off to fly independently.
Flying site: My training flights with Jerome took place at Marshall Peak and the 750' launch at Andy Jackson Airpark. While higher than some training hills, these sites offer the relative safety of altitude to correct potential problems and make for fun, longer flights, with the opportunity to learn thermalling and ridge soaring as conditions permit.
Equipment: In my search for a school I also noticed that many push students, often contractually, to buy gear early - generally with more regard for which brands they sell or stock than which gear best suits the student's goals and abilities. In contrast, Jerome allowed me to rent safe, meticulously maintained gear until I was ready to commit to purchasing my own, and then provided me with detailed and unbiased recommendations tailored not to pitch a certain product line but rather to my size, skill level, and personal preferences. Having now had the opportunity to use each piece of the gear he recommended to me, I have that much more respect for the time and effort he put into helping me select the right equipment.
In short, I couldn't recommend Jerome more highly to anyone looking to begin or improve their paragliding. You will not find a better instructor!
Nate Neufeld, Alberta / Canada, 2013/04/24:
I was traveling through the area and had an unscheduled extra day for flying. Luckily, I stumbled on Soboba, and Jerome. Being a new P2, I needed some guidance and Jerome was very forthcoming and welcoming. In addition to site orientation, Jerome had tips on my harness and flight technique. For my flights, he stayed on radio with me, and I always felt that he was keeping an eye on me without being overbearing. A great site and facilities and instructor, only wish I could have stayed longer! Thanks Jerome!
Neil Karstetter, California / USA, 2021/3/22:
Jerome is a world class paragliding instructor and somewhat of a modern-day renaissance man. By that I mean he is an expert in many different surrounding fields of knowledge. When you train with him not only will you gain the skills to fly, but you will walk away with a complete understanding of the wing’s aerodynamics and advance meteorology. Jerome is absolutely the best in the Southern California region. He has decades of experience as a pilot (P5 rating) and has a profound ability to teach and can translate between standard and metric measurements quickly or even from French to English! He is thorough yet efficient and won’t waste your time.
He is also very good at reading people. And will know when you're ready to advance through training or when it is better to master something before graduating to higher levels. He is very easy to communicate with and preserves a calm and patient professional attitude no matter what. For the most part Jerome is the paragliding instructor’s mentor. He is very involved with local chapters and on the national level with USHPA. I can’t say enough great things about him. I am very glad I chose Jerome when I started my training and I’m positive you will too.
Nicolas Barth, California / USA, 2019/4/29:
While learning to fly at Marshall/Andy Jackson I got to see at least three other instructors working with many students. While none of the students necessarily appeared to be having bad experiences and the instruction seemed good, I saw enough that it was clear to me that I made the right choice of instructor. Jerome prefers one-on-one instruction; it suits his teaching style and this ensures that you are able to learn at your natural pace. Like any good teacher he has a clear sense of what his students are capable of and adjusts to meet their needs. Jerome’s attention to detail means that you are constantly getting corrective advice and suggestions that tune your skills beyond what other instructors provide.
Given the investment of time and money, I greatly appreciated how meticulous Jerome is about making the most of every training day; he establishes goals and has the intimate knowledge of the site’s weather to adjust the plan for the day’s evolving conditions. Some days I already had four flights logged by the time some of the other instructors and students arrived- that felt good! I felt I was able to advance more efficiently and more well-rounded under his tutelage than I would have otherwise.
While waiting for rides back to launch I often had moments to talk with other pilots at the LZ who [unprompted] spouted nothing but respect for Jerome- not only for his instruction and safety record, but also involvement in the community (helping organize launch site maintenance, the incredible resource of his website, etc.). When you are entering a new and rather close-knit community like paragliding, I think it says a lot to others where and with who you choose to learn. Marshall/Andy Jackson is a great place to learn and Jerome is the man to learn from.
Oleg Pryadko, California / USA, 2020/3/1:
If you're reading this wondering whether Jerome's fees are worth it, just stop and book a lesson with him! It is a bargain; you'll see for yourself. :-)
I am a P2 who is visiting the area and took the opportunity to get two days of lessons from Jerome. His website had already helped me immensely, so I had pretty high expectations of him. And yet, he still managed to exceed them. :-D
First of all, it is always an amazing experience to have one-on-one time with an instructor, and you get that the entire time with Jerome. It gave me an immense feeling of security knowing that Jerome was watching (without distractions) my first flight from Marshall, my first flight from Crestline, and my first thermalling flight. He caught all the subtle moments where a safety or performance tip would have the most impact.
Next, he's an incredibly talented and knowledgeable teacher. I am a very logical thinker and have trouble with the "intuitive" learning that paragliding requires. Jerome very quickly adapted to my learning style and somehow managed to combine logic and intuition in a very natural way.
He gave me dozens of tips and explanations almost non-stop throughout the day, and yet I never felt overwhelmed. He very patiently repeated or reworded anything I asked him to and answered ALL of my questions patiently and in detail. And boy did I have a lot of questions, which had built up for several months! On the last day we stayed until after dark before I finally ran out of questions. Anyone who has mentored me would be amazed at that last statement. :-D
Finally, you'll save so much time! He schedules rides just for you, and he times everything to maximize the potential of the weather (but always with safety in mind). I'm already planning for another day with Jerome!
Paul Aeschliman, California / USA, 2018/11/10:
I started training with Jerome in the summer and have now completed my P-2. I can recommend him unreservedly. He is that rare combination of an instructor who is both highly knowledgeable about his chosen subject matter and also a gifted teacher. He brings an engineer's precision to the sport of paragliding with an ability to break down and make even complex subjects understandable. He also is very patient, making sure he never pushes a student beyond what the student is comfortable with. Since Jerome is retired and only teaches for the love of the sport, you will not have to worry about being pressured to pay for things you don't need or pushed to buy certain equipment. But if you are looking for equipment, Jerome can give you a recommendation based on your skill level. When it came time for me to buy a wing, Jerome wrote up a list of possible wings along with an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses and which one he thought was best for me. That way I was able to make an informed decision rather than only being exposed to one or two wings that another instructor might push since he is a representative for only one company. If you are looking for an instructor in the Southern California area as new student or as an experienced pilot who is looking to expand their knowledge you should contact Jerome.
Paul Alms, Arizona / USA, 2015/2/2:
Thanks for all your help, it made so easy to gain the necessary confidence to take that first leap into the great experience that is paragliding!
Peter Illig, Alaska / USA, 2013/1/26:
Jerome was an excellent instructor as he was able to identify problems accurately and help me progress through my training. His course at Soboba was the best way for me to become confident in my abilities before heading into the mountains with my wing.
Pearce Cucchissi, California / USA, 2014/2/24:
Jerome's unsurpassed knowledge and systematic approach allows for a seamless progression while learning to speed fly. He is perfectly calm and collected while coaching the student through flights, which instills confidence in the student and allows them to be as safe as possible in the air. I would recommend Jerome to anyone and will insist my closest friends learn through him.
Peter Hudson, California / USA, 2019/10/01:
Wow, what can I add to this glowing list of recommendations? If you've read through much of this web site, you have a taste of his depth of knowledge and more importantly his willingness to share that knowledge freely by providing these pages as a resource to all. I wanted to reward that kind of behavior with my business when I needed some personal coaching.
I had laid off flying for a few years and needed both a sign-off to fly Marshall as a P2, and a general review of bad or forgotten habits. This was the best instructor experience I've had, it was a full, and well organized day, of working through a checklist of topics to assure I could safely operate in this great flying environment. Once in the air, the lesson shifted into thermal technique and local site knowledge as he guided me via radio to some saves, great climb-outs and some long beautiful flights. We reviewed each flight for things that went well, things that could have been better, and why.
I'm looking forward to working with Jerome in the future as I build skills and start exploring cross country. He talked about several "out and back" goals at this site as a great place to start.
So, great flying site with a beautiful LZ, nice gentle thermals (at the right times of day), a range of challenges for the future and a guy in an orange flight suit who can guide you through it. I'm all in. Thanks Jerome!
Peter McLean, California / USA, 2019/8/24:
Jerome is very adaptable to the unique needs of the individual student. He manages to explain the essential information without overloading the student with too much to think about. While the student is in flight, Jerome is very calm and encouraging over the radio. Unless safety is a concern, he does avoids critiquing his students but has endless advice and is happy to answer any questions. After a day with him, he is good at listing out the next steps that a student needs to take in order to progress in the sport. Overall Jerome possesses the deep understanding of paragliding and approachable personality that makes for an amazing paragliding experience under his instruction.
Petr Kalab, Maryland / USA, 2013/11/8:
Last month I was one of the many who got furloughed during the government shutdown and to make the best of the unexpected free time, I signed up for the speed wing course with Jerome Daoust at Soboba. There might be some chance for me to fly speed wings on a ski slope and I would like to be ready. Because I was a bit too busy after returning back to my job at the East Coast, only now I found some time to write here that I am happy to highly recommend this course to anyone interested in speed wings!
Although flying is not new to me (H2/P3) I was quite nervous before my first attempts with the speed wing. However, with Jerome's instruction I was able to quickly progress from the first hops on the training hill to flights from increasing elevations, all the way to 1300 ft the next day! The key to my positive experience was Jerome's training style which emphasized safety, no-nonsense and extremely useful instruction with practical demonstration and accurate feedback on my piloting. Meaning, he could immediately spot what I was not doing right and tell me how to fix it. At the same time, Jerome was incredibly calm and positive and that was exactly what allowed me to keep my mind on what I needed improve, while enjoying the experience. Focus on flying, propelled by fun! That seemed to be the effect that Jerome tried to achieve and it worked.
It was obvious that all details of what Jerome taught were very well thought through and tested. Jerome's background in high-end mechanical engineering (do think rocket science!) I think has something to do with it.
Aside from what I needed to learn for the speed wing, I picked up useful tips for my regular PG, which happened to be one of those that Jerome recently reviewed. It also helped that in the difficult Santa Ana conditions during my visit (prevailing east winds), he was able to make excellent calls for when was the right time to stop, so that I could go flying my regular PG at Lake Elsinore in the afternoon, or when it was better to stay all day at Soboba. My most difficult challenge was to learn the correct high speed approach to "swoop" landing speed wing, which is quite different from landing regular PG. It was really sweet to finally nail it a couple of times at the end of my second day! I was impressed that, after that, Jerome suggested that I could fly speed wings on my own, "without being a menace to myself or others" and that there was no need to take the third day of the course. So I took the refund and flew my regular PG for my last remaining days of the trip and I can tell you with some authority that this course is definitely above all about flying and not just about business.
In summary, this course was quite perfect for me and I think that it would be a great start for anyone who already knows that they want to fly speed wings regularly or even just testing if this exciting sport is right for them.
Phil Wessinger, California / USA, 2016/1/22:
For anyone looking for paragliding instruction in or around southern California, look no further! Jerome is a top-notch instructor who has many years of experience under his belt. He is a retired engineer who takes a very methodical and systematic approach to his teaching – extremely easy to relate to if you are a technical person. The best part about Jerome’s instruction is his willingness to go at your own pace. If you demonstrate competency, he is more than willing to move forward, but if you are hesitant to move on, he will continue to guide you at your own pace. I pride myself for usually being a quick learner, so I was hesitant of his day-to-day pricing structure (for fear that there was a set progression schedule), but it ended up saving me hundreds of dollars in comparison to other SoCal schools. I demonstrated the ability to fly and kite on day one, and Jerome did not hesitate to send me to the top of the mountain for my first solo immediately after (which was a life changing event... literally... I moved to CA permanently 6 months later so I could continue to fly). Safety is always his number one priority, which is ALWAYS appropriate in the sport of paragliding. I would highly recommend Jerome to anyone looking to get into the sport or looking to fine tune their PG skills.
2016/9/1 PG Forum comment: Check out the instruction at Marshall (Andy Jackson Airpark) in San Bernardino. I trained with Jerome Daoust at that site and it was amazing. It is flyable almost everyday during the summer/fall and still fairly consistent during the winter. They have great options in terms of different launches (training hill, 350, 750, Marshall peak (~3k vertical), and Crestline (~4k vertical).
2016/12/12 PG Forum comment: I am a proud graduate of the Jerome Daoust school of paragliding and I can highly recommend Jerome. He has been around the sport about as long as I have been alive and he has a wealth of knowledge he is willing to share. His pricing is very fair and he is always willing to teach at the pace the student is willing to learn - perfect if you are a fast (or slow!) learner. Marshall is a fantastic site to learn at, as even a "sledder" (a short flight with no lift whatsoever) is still 10-15 minutes long. The LZ is perfect for ground handling (its nice and grassy), and the people/community in the LZ are even better. I live in San Diego and the 4 hour round trip drive was well worth the trip to be able to learn from Jerome up at Marshall.
Philip Chamberlain, California / USA, 2014/11/17:
I spent a weekend working towards my M1 speed flying certification with Jerome in May 2014. This was also my first time flying at Soboba and was a great introduction the site. At the time of taking the speed wing course I was a newly graduated P2 paragliding pilot, and I would recommend some experience with other canopies before moving to a speed wing so you know what you are getting into, and have some basic skills. We started practice launches on lower, shallower launches and progressed to higher, steeper and eventually unsupervised launches over the course of a weekend. Jerome's teaching style was very deliberate and clear, which I find really helps to establish good habits with pre-flight checks etc. Jerome is obviously a great resource, and has put a lot of thought and experience into his teaching approach. I greatly enjoyed the course, and would highly recommend Jerome as an instructor.
Preston Drnek, Tennessee / USA, 2019/4/22:
Thanks for spending the afternoon teaching me. You are a wealth of knowledge. Unfortunately, we don't have a dedicated instructor like yourself in Tennessee. I realize that between life, work, and paramotoring, I'm lacking in the scientific's of paragliding. I usually launch after making a half-educated guess and play around in the air. This has got me flying in no lift or way too much lift. I need to dedicate more time being a weatherman. Also, I have found the sites in Southern California very different from my two home sites at Tennessee Tree Toppers. Thanks again for instructing and not just taking someone's money.
Randy Brown, Massachusetts / USA, 2017/5/22:
Jerome is a top-notch instructor. He is extremely knowledgeable, and well versed in paragliding. As an instructor myself, I found great value in his experience as an instructor. It is often difficult for teachers to know when to keep quiet and let the student learn and figure things out. He adds the right feedback at the right time, and guides you where you need to be. I am very happy I went this route to get my P1, and P2 ratings. I highly recommend Jerome Daoust for anyone looking at learning Paragliding, improving their flying, Speed Flying, or getting ready for your next rating.
Rena Brown, Oklahoma, 2018/2/3:
I have been involved in the wonderful world of paragliding since 2014. I had never met Jerome but I had heard Jerome's name mentioned on numerous occasions sitting around at launch para waiting and in the LZ after a good day of flying (In S.E. Oklahoma) Nothing but great things... (He truly is Legend).
A fellow pilot and friend of mine (from Dallas) traveled to SoCal a few months ago and met up with Jerome and received his P3 rating. I got to talking to him about his trip and his experience with Jerome at Marshall and like all the others, he was VERY impressed. So fast forward to Feb 1st 2018... I've had been a p2 for quite some time, with more than enough flights and airtime to receive a p3 however, there were a few things I needed to work on before sitting for the p3 exam. My friend that received his P3 from Jerome in October was coming to Southern California on a business trip and invited me to come along to meet up with Jerome and work on getting my P3. So, I contacted Jerome and reserved his services for February 1st and 2nd. Jerome was so hospitable and did everything he could to help me arrange my time with him. He was very thorough and had asked me beforehand what exactly it was I needed to work on, the gear I would be bringing to fly with. He also gave me a complete list of his fees and what would be expected during our time together. He left no stone unturned, I was very impressed with his thoroughness and kindness.
Upon arriving to SoCal, we were blessed with one day of fantastic weather even though it had been predicted to be very sketchy. Jerome stayed in contact with me the day before and the morning of keeping me updated on the weather and what he thought our chances were of having a successful day. We ended up meeting early and getting in lots of flying that day. Jerome again was very thorough not only with his site intro but also with his vast knowledge of pg. Before launch he pointed out several areas where I was sure to get lift to thermal up, and he was on point! He knows the Marshall and Crestline sites like the back of his hand. As the day came to a close I was so impressed with his professionalism and knowledge of not only paragliding but also meteorology and the reasons the wind does what it does he was very good at explaining all of this (he's been doing this for years!) His prices are reasonable and he's so very accommodating. He wants to make sure that his students not only learn but also have a good time while staying safe at this site. I would recommend him to anyone looking to further their PG knowledge or work on a higher rating.
I will definitely be back and I can't wait!!! Thank you Jerome!
Richard Brizendine, Nevada / USA, 2014/4/29:
I spent five days learning a little paragliding and speed flying with Jerome, his professional and calm approach really helped me progress quickly and build enough confidence to continue flying on my own. He is really great at pointing out what you are doing right and what you could be doing better in a very clear and understandable way which really helped me learn to do everything the correct way. His knowledge of the weather and theory needed for paragliding and speed flying is incredible and he does a fantastic job teaching you to recognize what is safe and was isn't. Overall I had a fantastic time learning from Jerome and would highly recommend him to everyone!
Richard Zahm, California / USA, 2021/3/9:
If you truly want to put in the effort to learn how to become a safe, intuitive, knowledgeable paragliding pilot, work with Master pilot Jerome Daoust. He’s outstanding.
A pioneer of the sport, he was recently honored by USHPA with its highest achievement award.
Jerome teaches as a vocation, not a side-gig. He is a rare – and renowned – Sensei. He is precise, meticulous, thorough. He is discrete, non-judgmental, supportive, professional, and crystal clear. Jerome instructs and certifies other instructors. He’s the guy they turn to.
He has encyclopedic knowledge that he freely shares. His paragliding website is packed with a lifetime of observations and suggestions. Study it. All of it. Your learning time will be reduced. Your understanding will soar. You’ll fly better, safer.
His understanding of wind and the forces behind it is astonishing. From a kilometer’s distance he can place you precisely in a thermal that pilots flying nearby miss. The benefit is instant: your flight length is extended and your skills expand exponentially.
He’s able to transfer what he knows, not an easy thing to do with an activity that combines physical and mental aspects interacting with constantly changing nature.
He understands people, too. Paragliding brings a spectrum of emotions: apprehension, doubt, elation, confidence, ego, terror. He works with all of them. You can place total faith and confidence in him. Pilots who’ve studied with him seem to stand apart at takeoff. There’s a calmness, a comfort, a certainty. They seem to stay aloft longer than others.
His name carries weight throughout the sport – from pilots to vendors to manufacturers – he’s contributed to design and safety improvements. He analyzes and writes, they respond. A PhD, his designs are circling Earth in the International Space Station.
It’s an honor to be associated with Jerome Daoust. If you’re fortunate to have the opportunity to fly with him, seize it. It will be life changing.
Robert Duke, California / USA, 2015/3/29, (source):
I'm a new pilot and Jerome went out of his way to keep an eye out for me on my launch. He wasted lots of his own flight time hanging out with me waiting for conditions to mellow a bit more. During the wait time he was kind enough to share tons his valuable knowledge with me. I all ready have the best instructor around (Stephen) but when any master of the sport speaks, I stop and eagerly listen. Boy, Jerome sure gave me tons of great knowledge to listen too! He, like Stephen, has a knack at putting things in a way that even the most simple mined people, like me, can understand.
The ability to pass on vast knowledge and experience to another makes one a great instructor. The willingness to do so casually for another makes one a great person. Jerome is one of the many great people I have met at AJX. What a super guy, I could never thank him enough!
Ron Gray, California / USA, 2015/10/4:
What impressed me most about Jerome as an instructor was his professionalism. Not only does he have a keen analytical mind about flying from a technical perspective, he is very practical in what is needed for each lesson. He instructs calmly and stays focused which allowed me to do the same. I was completely at ease working with him. After ground school, he narrated my test flights with precision and detail, eliminating the results of my pilot errors and misjudgments. After the lessons I had a solid knowledge of what and what not to do and knew exactly my limitations. Jerome's qualifications and teaching, both professional and personal, are hard to improve upon.
Ryan Courreges, California / USA, 2018/8/22:
When I decided to take up flying again I searched for quite a while to find an instructor. Jerome came out as the one I thought would be the best fit for me and after contacting him and setting up my lessons, my choice was confirmed. Jerome is incredibly knowledgeable and can easily explain complex concepts in several different ways to make sure you understand them. If you struggle with a concept, he will spend more time on it without ever rushing and make sure you have a good grasp. For skills and ideas that you pick up quickly, he will spend enough time to make sure you're solid, but not so much that you're bored. As a student you will progress as quickly as you feel comfortable and he will not push you or hold you back unnecessarily. All the training felt like it progressed exactly as it should as I was ready. On top of all his great characteristics as an instructor, his dry wit and sense of humor are always hilarious. I look forward to many years of working with Jerome to build my skills as a pilot.
Long story short, you will be hard pressed to find a better instructor and you will be very happy with the lifelong skills he will help you build. Highly recommended!
Said Parirokh, California / USA, 2018/9/13:
Master class is the best way to describe Jerome's instruction style. The wealth of knowledge he possesses and his ability to administer it at the right moments makes the learning experience pleasurable. I never felt over pressured nor underwhelmed during my training days. And most importantly, as I worked towards independence, I felt I was bestowed with the knowledge to keep myself and those flying around me safe. Working with Jerome, you will also quickly realize he operates with precision and high integrity. The entire paragliding community highly respects Jerome with good reason and to be his student is an honor and a privilege.
Scott Rumble, Alberta / Canada, 2014/4/22:
You were a great instructor. Unbelievably knowledgeable and very passionate. It was very easy to work with you and you were able to adapt to different learning styles. We achieved the goals for the trip because of you and we had a blast doing it!
SDHGPA (San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association), California / USA, 2014-2015:
Recommends Jerome in its list of good instructors.
Shah Kazempour, Washington / USA, 2014/11/15:
Soboba flying site is the best place to learn and also continue flying after and also get to know more new and old pilots for PG and speed flying. Jerome Daoust was my instructor for learning PG also Speed wing and in few words, he is the best and absolutely hyper knowledge about these sports. I am absolutely thrilled being there and getting my training done by him. I will definitely go back there for more flights. The flying site is amazing and has so many different options and launch elevations that are facing in different directions and makes it the best to fly no matter what. There are few ATV's there to give ride up to 650 feet launching site and there is a hike after to way up to I believe 1700 feet above. Having ride makes it easy to any PG or speed wing pilots to have relaxing flying days. In my opinion Soboba flying site and all the staff and instructors there are the best and friendliest that you would not find anywhere else. Thank you.
Spencer Dobell, British Columbia / Canada, 2014/3/10:
November 2013 marked my first flight on a speed wing. Having no previous experience with flying, I was really apprehensive about the sport. However, with the incredibly easy and detailed instruction from Jerome, my buddy and I were able to do a 1300 ft launch on our first day. We had 3 great days of flying and I have to say, it was Jerome’s professional yet encouraging approach that helped us gain competence so quickly. Jerome was so amazing at helping us see the sport as safe and most importantly fun! We now fly regularly up in Western Canada but are going back to Soboba soon. Thanks Jerome! You are an incredibly gifted instructor and others would be lucky to be guided by your great skill!
Stan Barankiewicz, California / USA, 2017/6/9:
I am a newly minted P-2 pilot and not a student of Jerome. Looking to build time and flights, Jerome graciously gave me rides up to the launches. I observed him teach a student on his first flights over two days. I noticed that Jerome often teaches one student at a time, which he devotes his entire attention to. This means that the student obtains instruction without distraction from other students. Jerome arrived a half hour before his student and was ready to hit the launches running as soon as the student arrived. We accomplished ten flights in just two days—fantastic! I further noticed that Jerome is very safety conscious and detailed. He follows a teaching style that confirms a student’s understanding by having the student answer specific questions, repeat procedures, visualize the flight and maneuvers, and observe out loud weather conditions and set up for launch. I even picked up on few things when Jerome decided to quiz me a bit. :) If you want a dedicated, focused, knowledgeable, detailed, and safety conscious instructor, Jerome would serve you well.
Stephen Buckingham, California / USA, 2015/11/30:
I am a new P2 from NoCal with plenty of flights from our training hill and only a couple flights at our coastal ridge soaring site. So when I was in SoCal I arranged for three days of coaching from Jerome at Marshall. What a fantastic experience for my first mountain flights. Between Jerome's vast knowledge and mentoring and the friendly atmosphere of the CSS, It was a big boost to my confidence in tasting my first thermals. I will certainly be back to fly with Jerome again. Thank you!
Stephen Jalickee, Washington / USA, 2014/2/9:
I spent three days with Jerome learning paragliding and felt very confident of my abilities at the end each day. He is a very patient and proactive instructor, truly analyzing any problems you might have and then coming up with a solution. Besides making sure you know the how, he will make sure you know the why. In addition, Jerome is a very friendly person who truly enjoys teaching and seeing his students being thrilled by a safe flight. Soboba is a great learning location in addition to being a great place for advance flying and you can camp there and enjoy an almost nightly bonfire with other pilots. I live in Seattle and will be taking more trips down to Soboba Flight Park - next up is speed flying with Jerome.
Steve, USA, 2015/11/29:
Based on his reputation and recommendations from several friends, I engaged Jerome for two days of post-P2 instruction. I wanted to obtain my sign-off to fly at Marshall, and also believe strongly in continuing education from a variety of instructors. I was very impressed, not just by his depth of experience and knowledge of foot-launched aviation, but also by his sharp eye for recognizing problems exhibited by students and his patient, calm and friendly teaching style. He was able offer easy-to-implement corrections for some problems I had launching and kiting. He also offered analysis of some in-flight video I provided that led me to a much more efficient turning technique, along with some important safety tips for the landing pattern at Marshall. I greatly appreciate his background in physics and aerospace. He provided free of charge valuable tips and real-time radio guidance for thermalling on a day when I was not even paying for instruction! Whether you are working on your P2 or a more advanced pilot looking to sharpen your skills, you can't go wrong with Jerome.
Steve Alessi, California / USA, 2016/11/28:
If you are considering paragliding instruction in the Southern California, you must learn with Jerome! Jerome has been flying since 1989, he is one of few people who have a P5 certification, he is the instructor who teaches instructors, he's flown all over the world in a multitude of conditions and has never deployed his reserve, he has a PhD in mechanical engineering which means he is smart about all things technical including aerodynamics, flight and weather, he's patient, calm and has a good sense of humor making learning fun/funny. For me, Jerome was the perfect instructor tailoring the pace of learning to my abilities. Throughout the day(s) he is constantly teaching but it feels more like conversation with a good friend. I learned how to safely fly, how to read flying conditions, obtained an understanding of weather (wind, clouds, etc.) and was certified as a P2 pilot all under Jerome's care. He is meticulous in his approach, calm in his delivery and will keep you safe. Jerome is a terrific person who instructs because he loves the sport and wants to share it with others. Keep in mind, he doesn't need the job! I can't say enough about Jerome, if you would like a reference please ask Jerome to get you in contact with me. You'd be making a mistake if you went to another school/instructor.
Steve Rohrbaugh, California / USA, 2015/6/26, (source):
If you are set on Soboba or Marshall, Jérôme Daoust would be a good choice. [other school] has a slick website but is more focused on speed flying. Jérôme would be more well-rounded and Engineer-like highly knowledgeable instructor vs adrenaline junky.
Tom Fredericks, California / USA, 2021/8/12:
I made the trip down to San Bernardino to try out a new site and get some instruction. I have had a few mountain flights will little success thermalling so my goal was to get some in flight assistance to find out what I was doing wrong.
I was refereed to Jerome from another local pilot in the SF Bay area.
I learned a lot more than I was anticipating. I may not have gotten to stay up for an eternity but I know with a little more practice, I can get there.
Among the many tips and suggestions, I am really excited about the forward launch adjustments he suggested. My confidence in forward launching success has been increased to almost certainty.
Jerome is the most knowledgeable instructor I have run into. He is an encyclopedia of all things Paragliding. I look forward to continual learning through his "Tips for Paragliding Pilots" web page.
Thank you Jerome for all you did for me and for what you have done for the sport.
Tom Ryan, California / USA, 2017/5/22:
Jerome was highly recommended and the experience with him met and exceeded hopes. My son and I met with Jerome to learn of, and experience, the great Marshall thermals and hoping to move forward toward P3. Previously we had flown in Santa Barbara over the past year. Paragliding is one of those rare parts of life that offers challenges and enjoyment on multiple levels. The ability to improve physical perform rests on expansion of knowledge / intellect. Fear / apprehension coexist with exhilaration of the senses. In the context of that experience, Jerome provided a well-disciplined, organized guide to expanding knowledge, skills, and safety while laying bare the beauty and experience of Marshall. It was a great day and likely the first of many that will be spent at the Andy Jackson Airpark. … Jerome was great!
Trevor Wichmann, Oregon / USA, 2019/7/14:
Jerome was recommended to me and, after spending a day on the mountain with him, I understand why. As a P2 working on my P3, he was thorough, attentive, patient, inquisitive to help fill gaps in my knowledge, and respectful of what I do and don't know. And, I have never met anyone that manages their flight suit pockets better than Jerome. I don't think it's possible, really. I highly recommend working with Jerome if you get the opportunity.
Uriel Dostie, Alberta / Canada, 2014/3/1:
Jérôme is an excellent instructor, he is focused on his student's safe success. Thank you Jérôme for these three intense days, you made practice and theory very easy to apply and understand. You were able to pinpoint my issues and gave me the tools I needed to fix them. Now I feel comfortable and ready to progress in this new sport [speed flying].
Vinh Tran, California / USA, 2018/11/25:
I reached out to Jerome as a visiting pilot and decided to spend 2 days with Jerome at Marshall Peak. I was close to the end of my P2 and wanted to learn how to fly mountain sites as well as have more formal training in thermalling. Throughout the whole process of scheduling, getting information on how to prepare and what to expect, Jerome was very responsive, clear, and flexible. When it came time for the flying days, Jerome was great in helping me get introduced to the site and gave very thorough explanation of conditions, predicting conditions, what to do, how to fly, and what to expect. I was able to achieve my P3 rating by the end of the training, and learned a lot about thermalling, flying mountain sites, and came out with so much more knowledge and experience then I previously had and now i feel i can fly with much more confidence than before. Overall, I really enjoyed Jerome’s instructions, and time spent learning with Jerome. I would highly recommend anyone to him if you’re looking on flying in the area and learning more.
William Schram, California / USA, 2013/12/30:
Jerome has a masterful combination of technical competency and capable piloting skill. I was pleased to find an instructor who was as willing to train a student in speed-flying as paragliding. His decades of experience enabled me to rapidly progress from a complete novice to independently launching and landing an 18m speed-wing in three days.
Willie Willenbrink, Alaska / USA, 2014/1/23:
I am a new student with a limited amount of kiting and some ground instruction. I had a few days available near Soboba and Jerome fit me in to his schedule with a very short notice. I found him to be an excellent instructor who easily explained the basics to allow me to get my first several flights off the 650 AGL launch, that was awesome. I found his calm demeanor on the radio very relaxing and reassuring while I was in flight. Additionally, his Mechanical Engineering background allowed him to provide some excellent fundamentals of flight ground instruction that everyone in attendance could follow. I live in Alaska, and I will be flying back to Soboba for additional instruction by Jerome!
Xavier Grobet, California / USA, 2017/12/23:
I finally made it to Marshall and was lucky to have Jerome introduce me to the site, it was good to have an experienced instructor like him, very knowledgeable and trustworthy, he’s calm and smooth voice will make you feel safe and focused. I’m also happy to have been certified P3 by him, if you are looking into Paragliding don’t hesitate in contacting Jerome as your trainer.
Zac Hall, California / USA, 2021/8/14:
So thankful I chose Jerome as my instructor. He is very experienced in the air, taught many of the instructors at Marshall. He is organized, clean, punctual and safe!
One of the best parts is that he is there to teach you and two others (if they book) ALL DAY. He won't break up the day to go do tandems. Lessons are much more focused. I received my p2 rating in less than 10 flying days due to the focused effort. We were flying sometimes 4 times a day at Marshall / Crestline.
He will be calm cool, collected, patient with you while you learn and his conversations at lunch on life were enlightening as well. 😊
If you want dedicated/focused /streamlined lessons choose Jerome. He will get you there at the same cost as other instructors but in a faster time and with more quality due to his experience and safety mindset.
Look for the orange jumpsuit, there's Jerome! Thanks again Jerome!!
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