Helmut 'Heli' Eichholzer

Do you have a nickname that you go by?
Heli

Where do you live?
Kuchl-Salzburg-Austria

What do you do for work?
Quality manager

What year, and how old were you when you started flying?
I started paragliding in 1992, I was 16 years old. I got my license in 1995. 

 Did a family member introduce you to paragliding? Does anyone else in your family fly?
Not really, me and my friends were too lazy to walk down the mountains after climbing. My brother is also a pilot and mountain guide.

What other passions do you have, or activities do you enjoy? 
As a child, i started with wrestling and skiing. My passion in the winter month are backcountry skiing. I love to have some adventures in the nature.

Why is flying important to you, and what does flying mean to you?
Flying is like: take a break from normal life. I feel so free and get out so many nice experiences. More and more I am able to see flying as a way to dream and life in a creative way. To have friends all over the world, to interact, get news and learn things from them is a good way to create the future…?!

Flying accomplishments. 
6 times austrian champion
5 times austrian league winner
winning some task in worldcup´s
worldcup winner and some podium´s
winner Crossalps and Bordairline
Top 3 Red Bull Dolomitenmann
2003-5th world championship Portugal
2005-4th Red Bull X Alps
2009 Red Bull X Alps
2011 world record triangle (270km)
2011 Red Bull X Alps
2015-1th world pilots ranking
Projects: Fly to Ski, Climb to Fly, Pierra Menta…
2019-15th world championship Macedonia

Do you have any goals, dreams or plans for the next 1-2 years that you want to share?
I love to do some comps in the summertimes and plan a volbivy trip next year 😉