Icare conferences

Because flying remains a childhood dream, and because flying remains a demanding quest deeply rooted in our search for freedom, our sports go far beyond technical performance.

 

On the occasion of Coupe Icare, a unique gathering where the entire free-flying community comes together to celebrate the sky, we invite you to gain new perspective on our sport and join this panel discussion featuring exceptional guests.

 

Key Discussion Topics

During this genuine moment of sharing, which will reveal a part of our personal lives as pilots, we will address several essential themes:

 

The influence of our environment: How do our family, social, and professional circles influence our behavior, our limits, and our relationship with risk?

 

Aesthetics and commitment: What role do our ambassadors play in passing on the values of our sport and in shaping how we commit to it?

 

The FFVL and Health-Sport: How can our federation fully embrace this initiative for the well-being of all, helping us shape the world of tomorrow together?

 

Inspiring Guests

To nourish this reflection and highlight the meaning behind our passions, we have the privilege of welcoming guests with extraordinary journeys:

 

Maud Perrin: An iconic free-flying ambassador and acro pilot recognized worldwide for her achievements, poetry, and values.

 

Mélinda Parfait: A high-level athlete from the ultra-endurance world. As a new paragliding pilot, she brings a dual perspective on pushing boundaries and the health benefits of sport.

 

Vincent Boury: Paralympic athlete, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. In the air and on the ground, a sensitive encounter that will elevate our discussions and emotions.

Two one-hour conferences dedicated to two rapidly growing sports.

 

Parakiting: key features, training, safety, sharing the airspace, and challenges related to flying sites.

 

Hike & Fly: an introduction to combining hiking and flying, including its benefits, supervision, and safety challenges. We will then explore its development in competition: formats, support teams, fairness, female participation, and balancing performance with risk management.

The advent of the engine forever transformed how we travel, wage war, and view our planet by paving the way for modern aviation.

Yet it is doubtful whether the pioneers of green flight would recognize themselves in that vision!

For Eilmer of Malmesbury—the flying monk of the Middle Ages—or extreme paragliders, as well as the early discoverers of thermals, the goal has never been to fly from Paris to Singapore by following air traffic control or a flight computer, but simply to fly like a bird.

Gérard Guerrier set out on the trail of these adventurers, dreamers, and engineers. Join us as he paints a vivid portrait of colorful episodes and characters where tightrope antics meet slapstick humor, and sometimes even tragedy.

 

Along the way, Gérard shines a light on the crucial role of forgotten pioneers like Australian John Dickenson—the true inventor of the hang glider—while reassessing the actual legacy of iconic aviation figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Francis Rogallo, and even the Wright brothers!

Weather, aerology, and understanding air masses play a vital role in free-flying safety culture. Learn to read the sky to become a better pilot.

 

The French Free Flying Federation (FFVL) continuously strives to improve its members’ knowledge and access to information by giving them the tools to forecast and analyze flying conditions. Mastering aerology is an essential prerequisite for flying safely.

 

With this in mind, the FFVL is developing an official weather forecasting tool available on the SpotAiR-FFVL platform. It will give pilots access to real-time data on wind, thermals, and atmospheric conditions using a step-by-step approach: from global synoptic maps to detailed local forecasts, along with key weather parameters around selected sites or weather stations.

 

At Coupe Icare 2026, the FFVL will host a dedicated conference to:

Discover women in free flying through a unique and inspiring gathering at the heart of Coupe Icare.

 

This public conference invites you to dive into the world of extraordinary women who push the boundaries of the sky and share the same consuming passion for FFVL sports.
Through a series of overlapping portraits, we will give the floor to dedicated and passionate pilots with remarkable journeys.

We are delighted to welcome and bring together the perspectives of three key figures:

Carole Leconte

Adeline Schmidt

 

From their first flights to their greatest challenges, they will share their personal stories, life journeys, and vision of free flying.

Beyond performance, they will reflect on the role of women in air sports, passing on their knowledge, and the unique feeling of absolute freedom that the sky provides.