From your first flight to a championship

Schänis airfield is the Swiss centre of excellence for comprehensive gliding training, from the first theory lesson to top results in national and international championships.

Numerous titles, records and competition victories have been recorded in the history book of Schänis airfield over the last few decades.
The flying groups based at Schänis have an exceptional fleet at their disposal, ranging from well-maintained old-timers to the most modern racing aircraft.

Everyone is on first-name terms with experienced alpine pilots, Swiss champions, record-breaking pilots and participants in international competitions.

The full range of gliding experiences

Schänis airfield offers a wide range of training and education programmes that will enable you to enjoy countless flying experiences safely and for many years to come.

Self-launch training

In recent years, Schänis Airfield has specialised in the current trend towards self-launching gliders and offers complete training on a robust ASK-21-Mi for this type of launch, which is independent of aerotowing.

You will benefit from the know-how and years of experience of the flight instructors in cross-country tactics and the practical use of motorised gliders.

Several two-seater gliders are also available for your cross-country flight training or, for example, a introduction to the well-known strong wind "Föhn".

The basis for top flying performance is perfecting the basic skills - benefit from the experience of our 30 or so flight instructors. They are happy to share all their knowledge with you - both live in the cockpit and in the theory room.

I want to become a glider pilot, what do I need?

• Age restrictions
  • Start of training: no minimum age
  • 1st solo flight at the age of 14
  • Practical test at the age of 16
  • No upper age limit as long as medical requirements are met
• Medical requirements
  • Glasses are not an obstacle 
  • Your weight should not exceed 100kg
  • Before your first solo flight, you must undergo a medical examination by a FOCA-approved medical officer.

Minimum requirements for the practical gliding test?

• Completed EASA training programme
• Completed theoretical training programme with passed exam

If you stick with it, glider training will continue for two seasons and the winter in between. Some pilots are faster, others need a little more time.

Here in Schänis, you set your own pace. Thanks to our infrastructure, you can train every two weeks when the weather is good, and unlike smaller airfields, we offer regular basic training weeks.

Click here for a complete overview of the training programme: 

Costs are based on experience and assumptions and depend largely on your personal flying ability and talent.
(By the way, you can substantially reduce the costs by intensive training on our simulators).

Glider training (towing)
The costs are made up of the price of the glider (including instructor) and the towing costs.
For example, 70 flights at CHF 80 each will cost approximately CHF 5,600.

The fast track: learning with self-launching gliders 
Learning with the ASK-21mi is very efficient.  The handling and costs of towing are eliminated. However, the ASK-21mi costs a little more per minute.
So this method is basically more expensive, but also faster.
So, 70 flights at CHF 120 each make about CHF 8'400.

You can start your training with us at any time - not just in spring. We look forward to your call (+41 (0)55 250 50 00) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Advanced training: Motorglider as Touring Motorglider (TMG) according to EASA
Goal: You have an SPL/LAPL licence with TMG endorsement.
You should budget CHF 3,000.-- for the 'Motorglider as Glider Pilot' training programme.
The costs are made up of:

• 10 flying hours at CHF 225.- each; CHF 2'250.--
• 100 landing fees at CHF 8 each; CHF 800.--

From zero to TMG licence
Complete motor glider training as a touring motor glider according to EASA:

• Cost of aircraft: Dimona Fr. 3.75 / min. (only flight costs are charged)
• Flying time, 35 to 40 hours sum up to approx. CHF 8'000.--
• Landing fees 250 to 400 landings at CHF 8.- sum up to approx. CHF 2'800.-- (Landing fees can also be charged at a flat rate).

The gliding licence (SPL) includes a practical and a theoretical part. The theoretical examination consists of nine subjects:
 
10 Aviation Law
20 Aircraft knowledge
30 Flight Performance and Flight Planning
40 Human performance 
50 Meteorology
60 Navigation
70 Operating procedures
80 Fundamentals of Flight
90 Radiotelephony (RTF)

Gliding Theory Course Winter 2026/2027

In addition to the practical test, passing the theory test is a prerequisite for obtaining the Swiss Glider Licence (SPL). A theory course will be held next autumn under the expert guidance of Andi Brunner. The course will be held online via MS Teams

Course Director:

Andi Brunner, Leiter Flugschule ASSAG
Im Städtli 38
8872 Weesen
079-648 63 60 / 055-210 51 66
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Sign up here for the 2024 theory course:

If you are under 26 years old and are learning to fly in Schänis, you will benefit from our junior promotion programme.

We offer you great advantages:

• Reduced price for the introductory offers "trial day" and "trial week"
• Entry to the Lägern gliding group at the SGL junior flat rate. In return, you can fly their gliders for up to 30 hours free of charge
• Participation in social events (financed by the SGL junior development fund)
• Weekends with targeted further training

Help out as a junior instead of paying

We offer a range of paid activities to help you finance your gliding if you are still at school and/or on a tight budget.

Depending on your interests, you can help with flight operations in the summer or workshop work on the gliders in the winter.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be happy to help you.

Why become a member of the SG Lägern?

It makes a lot of sense to become a member of the SG Lägern even if you are a student pilot. The SGL gliders and trainers are at your disposal and as a student pilot you have the same voting rights as other SGL members.

What are my benefits as a junior?

Student pilots under the age of 26 also benefit from our junior programme. The first 30 flying hours on SGL aircraft are included. You pay no fees for training flights and take-offs.

Find out more about the different clubs and how to become a member.