Falko Staps
| Disciplines | Hike & fly competition |
|---|---|
| nationality | German |
| city | Obermaiselstein, Germany |
| Birth date | 1998 |
| Gin team since | 2026 |
Biography
Fueled by a lifelong passion for aviation, he began designing autonomous motor gliders during his school years before joining the Air Force for officer training and studying aerodynamics in Munich. He discovered paragliding in 2020 and quickly turned it into both a profession and a competitive pursuit. Combining technical knowledge, athletic endurance, and a love for the mountains, he developed into a dedicated cross-country and hike & fly pilot. Since 2024, he has been working as a tandem pilot and workshop technician at Oase Flugschule while competing in the German Paragliding League, where he finished 6th overall in his first full season. Inspired by adventure and progression, he continues to push his limits through bivouac flights, multi day H&F and XC Competitions.
Interview
I work for Oase flight school as technician, instructor and tandem pilot. In Winter I am also a ski Instructor.
I used to do a lot of stuff from Drones to Gliding but at the moment just (Ski)Mountaineering
I knew what it takes to get a Glider plane into the air. So, it was the simplicity of getting in the air with the combination of running thought the mountains.
Col Rodella in Autumn with friends.
When I just flew spontaneously from my home to lake garda in my second year of xc flying. It was 3 days alone with just a sleeping back and some food. I realized I could really fly 100km to get somewhere and it works out. Especially flying in the evening in the high mountains on the west faces with the sun already deep but still above 3000m.
This is my furthest: xcontest.org/world/de/fluge/details/:Backpack_Pilot/18.06.2026/07:40
The simplicity and combination between walking and flying to get to cool places.
I like the spirit of creating something in the lab, bringing it to the real world and never stop looking for new possibilities in nearly all categories.
I am not sure what is possible in two years but for now want to finish the Dolomiti Superfly 2026 again. Also, I would like to get my first Podium at a XC Comp.
Surround yourself with people who help or fly with you at your current level and never stop learning.
Achievements
km
