Tom Cruise, 57, takes to the skies as he learns to paraglide in the French Alps

He’s famed for carrying out his own stunts, and Tom Cruise was hard at work learning a brand new skill as he prepared for a forthcoming film role on Thursday.

The Hollywood actor was in the French Alps, where he was taught how to paraglide under the watchful eye of an instructor.

Sporting a safety helmet and sunglasses, Cruise, 57, was guided through take-offs and landings as he sat in a safety harness beneath the enormous, wing shaped sail.

New skill: Tom Cruise was taught how to paraglide under the watchful eye of an instructor in the French Alps on Thursday 

The actor was believed to be taking tuition ahead of his involvement in a new film, and his decision to train in the French Alps suggests the area may well play a part in his latest blockbuster.

Accompanied by small crew, Cruise looked completely focused on the task at hand as he worked on his posture and balance while hovering several feet above the ground.

The actor was also seen attempting to seamlessly land without losing his footing on the uneven ground as his team looked on from the sidelines. 

Hard at work: Sporting a safety helmet and sunglasses, Cruise, 57, was guided through take-offs and landings as he sat in a safety harness beneath the enormous, wing shaped sail

Absolute pro: The actor, who is famed for performing his own stunts, looked completely focused on the task at hand

Paragliding involves navigating a large fabric canopy, traditionally made from non-porous polyester or nylon,  while suspended below in a buckled harness.  

Without the use of an engine, paragliders can often cover hundreds of kilometres while gliding at altitudes of up to 24,000 ft. 

While Cruise didn’t quite reach those heights, he appeared to e comfortable in the harness while working on his movement both in the air and on the ground.

On a wing and a prayer: Cruise ran again the wind with his large pink sail billowing behind him