Soheil Barikani

Disciplines	Sales Manager \| Cross competition
nationality	Iranian
city	Munich, Germany
Birth date	1985
Gin team since	2016

Soheil Barikani is a professional paragliding pilot, mechanical engineer specialized in fluid dynamics, and founder of CloudBase Paragliding Club and Service Center in Iran. Combining engineering expertise with high-performance flying, he has achieved an Asian record flight and multiple international competition successes. Active internationally, he focuses on competition flying, product development, and building structured pilot communities.

Know more about Soheil

Biography

Interview

What’s your job or profession?:
I am a professional paragliding pilot and mechanical engineer specialized in fluid dynamics. I manage CloudBase Paragliding Club and work internationally within the paragliding industry in sales, product development, and pilot support.

Do you have any hobbies besides paragliding?:
Exploring new flying areas and routes, especially in unknown terrain. I enjoy pushing into new regions and combining flying with travel to different countries.

When and what inspired you to start paragliding?:
The idea of flying long distances using only natural energy inspired me. It combines adventure, performance, and technical precision.

What are your favorite flying spots?:
The Central Alborz mountains in Iran, the Alps, and strong competition sites where strategy and performance are key.

What is your best flight or adventure?:
My 441 km cross-country flight, which stands as an Asian record, is one of my most important achievements. Flying over Mount Damavand at 5,800 meters and completing the first cross-country flight across the Alborz mountain range to northern Iran are also among my most unique experiences.

Could you share a link to your best flight track? (e.g., XContest or similar):
Asian free distance record

What do you like most about flying?:
The balance between control and uncertainty—reading the air, managing risk, and optimizing performance.

Why do you want to be part of the GIN team?:
GIN represents innovation driven by real pilots. I value its combination of performance, structure, and long-term vision.

What are your objectives for the next two years?:
To compete in major international competitions such as PWC events and World Championships, while actively contributing to the development and improvement of GIN products. In parallel, I aim to support the global growth of GIN by strengthening sales networks, working closely with pilots and dealers, and helping position the brand more effectively in key markets.

What advice would you give to new pilots?
Focus on fundamentals, progress step by step, and respect the air. Consistency is more important than talent. Always prioritize safety, make conservative decisions, and aim to stay injury-free so you can enjoy flying in the long term.