MEVPA Challenge 2025-2026 wraps up

BGD are proud sponsors of the MEVPA Challenge, whose season just wrapped up at the beginning of March with a seventh successful round, this time in Chamoux.

The MEVPA Challenge is a series of hike-and-fly events with a difference, run in the French Alps over winter. It’s fun and sociable, and a way for pilots to keep fit and keep practising their flying skills in the off-season.

The brainchild of Franck Largeault, this was the series’ fourth year. The format is unique, interesting and very inclusive, probably the reason it attracts such high numbers of participants.

MEVPA stands for Marche et Vol et Precision Atterrissage (hike and fly and precision landing). The format is a timed hike to launch, with a handicap system taking into account pilot age and pack weight. Then a flight, which is not timed – a choice made so that pilots can enjoy their flights, with no pressure to rush on launch. You can earn points for spot landing, or achieving a task such as a groundhandling challenge.

In the 2025-26 season there were 250 participants across the 7 rounds (La Bognette, Le Revard, Le Salève, Verel, Montlambert, Gresivaudan and Chamoux), with 78 participants on average in each event. Keep an eye on the website for next year’s dates.

Series Winers (best 3 races + final)

Women
1. Audrey D
2. Lucile T
3. Anne A

Men
1. Loïs M
2. Axel A
3. Sam A

Photos: Lorraine Marie G