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 Not
blessed with the wings, Man always wanted to fly like the birds
and in this endeavour he invented aircraft. Still
envied the birds for the thrill they derive from riding the warm
thermal currents of the air. This desire to fly like a bird has
resulted in various aerosports, such as hand
gliding, parachuting, parasailing and paragliding that have
become very popular today all over the globe. Parachuting needs
an aircraft to jump from while parasailing needs a vehicle to
pull the parachute. Paragliding
is the latest in aerosports. Paraglider is a non-motorised
foot-launched device. The aerofoil canopy is designed to be
flown and landed with no other energy requirement than the wind,
gravity and muscle power of the pilot. A Paraglider is a
rectangular parachute, light and aerodynamic, designed to go up
rather than down. Paragliding
is just like a bird flying and soaring upwards on currents of
air. Almost at will, you dip and wheel high over the hills and
valleys.
 Constructed
from a specially designed parachute of rip-stop nylon coated
with polyurethane to ensure zero porosity, the top and bottom
surface of the canopy is joined by number of vertical segments.
The resulting chambers are called the cells. When the canopy is
fully inflated, the cells take up an aerofoil shape with a
somewhat fat lower surface and a curve top surface. The pilot is
clipped into a harness, suspended by sturdy kevlar lines and is
placed in a sitting position for maximum comfort. Flex the knees
during take off and the canopy loads with air. Raise the arms,
which are holding the risers (cables running up to canopy) and
it rises. Pull them down and the canopy begins to collapse.
As the angle of attack into the wind is increased air
speed reduces. Even if the airspeed reduces to zero or the wind
stops, the glider stay afloat with the creation of relative wind
generated by the moving glider. It creates an aerodynamic drag
force to constantly battle gravity.
 For
every Paraglider, India is a perfect destination. The vast
expanse of varied topography combined with ideal weather
conditions make this country a dreamland for Paragliding pilots.
It offers mountain flying, coastal flying, desert flying
and flying over flat lands.
The Himalayan ranges in the north are the highest in the
world and harbour perfect mountain flying conditions.
The rugged mountain range of Western Ghats 1500 meters
high meandering southward along the coast, “Billing” in
Kangra valley (Himachal Pradesh) ,The Nigiri hills and hill
resorts of Ooty and Kodaikanal are great flying sites.
Paragliding in India is in a nascent stage and the
treasure-trove of perfect flying locations in India still
remains unexplored.
Some
of the ideal flying locations include Panchgani
six hours drive from Mumbai. Its towering pleateau and clear
weather make it an ideal spot for basic and advance level
flying. The breathtaking views of the hill station enhance the
pleasure of flying and soaring.
Kamshet, three
hours drive from Mumbai on Mumbai-Pune highway is another
perfect flying location. The crescent shape hills, undulating
fields and huge unspoilt lake add to charms of the location. It
is ideal for basic, intermediate and cross-country flying. The
topography and temperature allow both ridge and thermal soaring.
The fields at the foot of the hills make for good
landing. “Billing”
in Kangra Valley (Himachal
Pradesh) is one of the best flying locations in the world. It is
also a site for national championship.
Patnitop, 108
Kms from Jammu with its picturesque surrounding and panoramic
view offers an ideal site for paragliding. The
Solang Valley near Manali is a perfect site for paragliding.
Tandem flying or joyrides with the experienced freelance pilots
on specially fitted gliders is very popular with tourist here.
Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur and Pabbar valley near Rohru are some
of other paragliding locations in Himachal Pradesh.
The
recently documented sites for flying include Chamundi and Nandi
hills in Karnataka, Nilgiri hills (Ooty and Kodaikanak) in Tamil
Nadu, Anjuna and Aramobal beaches in Goa, Nainital and
Pithoragargh in Uttar Pradesh, Shillong in Meghalaya, Mt Abu-the
Aravalli hills in Rajasthan.
Like
any other adventure activity, paragliding too is a
risk-associated sport. Injuries and deaths do occur even to
trained and experienced pilots.
It is therefore imperative that one undergoes proper
training from a proficient and experienced instructor. Pilot
certification programme enlightens one about the flight
decisions and imparts knowledge about weather, equipment and
safety procedures. One
can learn the basic course in just five days and become a
student pilot. To be a successful paragliding student and pilot
one needs to be able to think clearly and listen well. While
negotiating with the forces of nature, personal judgement,
attitude, physical and mental alertness is of paramount
importance. Ankle
boots with proper grip, pair of trousers or jeans which allow
free movement and a thick shirt are required to be worn while
flying. The best
time to fly is spring to early summer when thermal currents are
sufficient and post monsoon from September to November.
Various adventure tour operators hire freelance pilots
and offer attractive flying course packages for the sport
lovers. However one
should make sure of the reputation and qualification of the
pilot.
Whom
to contact:
Nirvana
Adventures,2a
Takshila Apts.Tagore Road Santacruz 9W) Mumbai
Te.91-22-6493110
Fax. 91-22-6493110
Harly
India Para School.
No.2,
Yogesh House, East street , Pune Tel: 0212-643860
Western
Paragaliding Association,5,
Siddhi Sadan, SVP Road,Borivli ( W ) Mumbai
Phone:
91-022-8934803, 91-022-8936184
The
Himalayan Institute of Adventure Sports,
Village
Barua, P.O.Bahang,
Manali. (H.P.)
Phone: 01901-3050
Wanderlust
Travels Pvt. Ltd
, M-51-52 Palika Bhawan opp. Hyatt Regency New Delhi
Tel:
011-6875200 & 6111889
Banjara
Camp & Travels,
1A, Hauz Khas Village, Phone: 91-011-6861397, 91-011-6855153.
Fax: 91-011-6855152, 91-011-6513828
Mahindra
Rush Paragliding Camp.
Contact Person: Manish Singhal, A-9, 14/C, Kalkaji Extension New
Delhi. Phone: 91-011-6993301, 91-011-6994730. They hold camps at
various locations in Indian
to make paragliding popular.
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