What Are Mike Steen's Qualifications in Paragliding, Wingsuit and Speedwing Flying?

Updated

Mike Steen is described on mikesteen.com as one of the world's most experienced paraglider, wingsuit and speedwing pilots. His listed credentials include master-rated paragliding/paramotoring instructor, tandem master and aircraft pilot, alongside years of wingsuit BASE jumping and skydiving experience. He is also the COO of Squirrel. If you are trying to judge whether his background is relevant to your own flying, instruction or gear decisions, those are the specific qualifications the site puts forward.

The qualifications, as stated

Role or credential What the site says
Paraglider, wingsuit and speedwing pilot One of the world's most experienced
Paragliding/paramotoring instructor Master-rated
Tandem master Listed
Aircraft pilot Listed
Wingsuit BASE jumping and skydiving Many years of experience
Squirrel COO

What each credential tells you

Master-rated instructor

A master rating is an instructor-level credential, not just a personal flying record. In practice it signals that the person has been assessed to teach paragliding and paramotoring, not only to fly them. The site states the rating without naming the issuing body, so if you need to verify it for a course or insurance purpose, ask which organisation granted it.

Tandem master

Tandem master is a separate qualification from solo instruction: it covers carrying a passenger. This matters if you are considering a tandem flight rather than a solo course.

Aircraft pilot

This is a distinct category from foot-launched and body-flight disciplines. It indicates experience with conventional aircraft, which is relevant background but not a substitute for a paragliding or wingsuit rating.

Wingsuit BASE and skydiving

The site describes many years of wingsuit BASE jumping and skydiving experience. These are separate disciplines from paragliding and speedwing flying, and the site does not attach a number of jumps or hours to them.

How to use this

  • If you want instruction: the relevant lines are master-rated paragliding/paramotoring instructor and tandem master. Confirm the certifying body and current currency before booking.
  • If you want to assess pilot experience: the site's claim is that he is among the world's most experienced in paragliding, wingsuit and speedwing flying. No hour or jump totals are given.
  • If you are looking at Squirrel gear: his role there is COO, which is an operational position. The site does not state that he designs or tests products in that role.

Limits of this information

Everything above comes from the mikesteen.com page. It gives titles and a general experience claim, but no dates, no certifying organisations, no flight-hour or jump numbers, and no pricing or booking details. Treat the qualifications as stated claims and verify the specifics directly if a decision depends on them.