Just run and take off, that’s how easy it is at the Coupe Icare free-flight festival in Saint-Hilaire in the French Alps. It is considered the oldest of its kind and anything that glides and soars without a motor, even in fancy costumes, is allowed to take part.

For six days, the event attracts crowds of onlookers and daredevil pilots to the mountain near Grenoble. Euronews reporter Rhal Ssan was there with his skin and hair (and his paraglider).

“This is how pilots take off!” After a short spurt, he soars into the skies. “This is where it all happens, above the Chartreuse massif in France. Tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world come to see the air show.”

Weird birds abound in the sky – and on the ground. There is a carnival-like atmosphere. French paraglider pilot Nicholas Pelar obviously thinks someone is Tom Cruise – and has recreated a rather famous fighter jet with his co-pilots.

“This is a reproduction of the F14 Tomcat from the movie “Top Gun”, the first one. With a little innovation this year: Goose will pilot the plane and I will peacefully watch the scenery as Maverick. The goal is not to win, but to build a great flying machine, make the kids laugh and the old-timers dream.”

In 2020, the popular flying festival was cancelled due to Corona, and the past two editions turned out much leaner.

This year, everything is back to the same – trade fair, dress-up competition and children’s programme included.

Thibaut Lajugie of the organising team is relieved: “Yes, it’s a great added value for tourism, it has a year-round impact on all the trades that are involved here, the paragliding schools, the restaurants, the retailers.”

Euronews reporter Rhal Ssan has meanwhile returned to the ground and says: “For three years, flying fans and pilots had to limit themselves because of Corona – and this year they were able to say goodbye to the summer in style as usual. “