Paragliding
PARAGLIDING IN HIMACHAL:
HOW NOT TO KILL YOURSELF
Tandem paragliding in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu-Manali and Bir-Billing can be pretty dangerous. Here is how you can make your ride in the sky safer…
Planning to try tandem paragliding in Kullu-Manali or Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh? That’s a good idea but you should be aware of the risks involved. Tandem paragliding can be pretty dangerous if you jump off a cliff blindly without having done your homework. You just can’t do tandem paragliding randomly.
In this article, we are looking at the tandem paragliding sport in Himachal Pradesh — a little bit of its history, how safe is it and what are the risks. We are also sharing some must-follow safety tips for you to have a safe and memorable experience.
What is tandem paragliding?
In simple words, a tandem paraglider has two seats — one for the pilot and another for you. So, in tandem paragliding two persons fly, the pilot and you. You experience the fun and thrill of flying without having to become a pilot.
When did paragliding start in India?
The paragliding in India started in Himachal’s Bir-Billing in the early 1990s. The paragliding sites were first identified here by two foreigners — Neil Kinnear and Keith Nicholas. But before paragliding, there was hang gliding, which was made popular in Bir-Billing by foreigners only. Then in the early 1990s, paragliding took over hang gliding with solo pilots like New Zealander Bruce Mills ruling the skies. Some of the early paragliding pilots from India are Roshan Thakur, Gurpreet Dhindsa, Debu Choudhury and Rajan Juvekar, who popularised paragliding.
When did tandem paragliding start in India?
The tandem paragliding was started in the Solang valley, near Manali, in Himachal Pradesh in 1996 by veteran paraglider Roshan Thakur, who also is the first paraglider of India from Himachal. Till 2000, there were not many operators or pilots but their number swelled after 2005 or so. Up till June, 2022, there were 445 licensed tandem paragliding pilots and 45 paragliding operators in Kullu alone. Bir-Billing also has over 300 licensed pilots.
Which are the top paragliding sites in Himachal?
Some of the most popular paragliding sites in the country are in Himachal’s Kullu and Kangra districts. While Kangra has the world famous Bir-Billing paragliding site, in Kullu there are four popular sites — Solang valley, Dobhi, Nangabag and Garsa. There are some other sites as well in Kothi, Marhi and Majach villages in Kullu district. Bir-Billing was famously featured by Cross Country magazine in its list of top 10 paragliding sites of the world.
How much money is charged for a single flight?
The official rate decided by the district administration in Kullu is Rs 3500 for a single flight that lasts for around 8 to 10 minutes. But operators usually charge less than the fixed rates. These rates are inclusive of the transport charges for reaching take off sites and returning from landing sites. But you will need to pay extra if you want the footage of your flying video, recorded by the pilots using action cameras. You are charged minimum Rs 500 for a single footage.
Is tandem paragliding conducted throughout the year?
No. The paragliding is not allowed for two months from July 15 till September 15 due to the monsoon season. Other adventure sports like rafting also remains suspended during the same period in Himachal. Except for these two months, paragliding and rafting are allowed throughout the year.
Actually, September till December are considered best for paragliding due to more sunny days but less windy conditions.
Is tandem paragliding safe?
It’s safe as long as you land on the ground safely. The paragliding in Himachal operates under the Aero Sports Rules, 2004. But when it comes to the monitoring and implementation of same rules, it hardly happens resulting in blatant violations.
So, despite rules, paragliding still remains an unregulated sport. There is no routine checking of flying equipment, emergency medical services are lacking and experts say a good number of pilots are not properly trained due to flaw in rules.
Experts believe that licensing system is also faulty and documents and experience can be fudged to obtain a pilot’s license for tandem paragliding. So, one needs to be double careful in such a scenario.
In March, 2022, paragliding was banned in Bir-Billing and Kullu due to violations by operators. The state the tourism department is preparing SOPs for better regulation of the sport. Hopefully, it will make paragliding safer.
Why paragliding can be risky?
Because of the number of accidents and fatal crashes. As many as 20 people have died in over two dozen crashes at various paragliding sites in Kullu district and in Bir-Billing in the last 10 years or so. The victims were mostly flying tandem.
Many solo paragliders including from abroad have also died in crashes. Rapid commercialisation has resulted in cut-throat competition among operators with hardly any care for the rules.
To make matters worse, there were no immediate first aid or emergency medical facilities available near the crash sites. Many survivors of the crashes are still coping with their injuries, mostly spinal.
What are the main reasons behind paragliding accidents?
In most cases of tandem paragliding accidents, amateur pilots or their helpers were at fault. They couldn’t either take off or land properly. Then there were cases in which the safety belts were not properly fastened and the harness came loose resulting in deadly falls.
There were also accidents in which inexperienced pilots flew in bad weather or their helpers got entangled in ropes while taking off. Experts say that operators using flying gear beyond their lifespan is also one of the factors behind accidents.
There is also the problem of drug-use among pilots in both Kullu and Bir-Billing, prompting Bir-Billing Paragliding Association recently to demand a mandatory doping test for all pilots.
What are the paragliding safety tips?
Here are some of the safety tips from the top paragliders we spoke to:
*Don’t be in a haste while selecting the operator for your paragliding experience. There are many unregistered fly-by-night operators present in both Kullu and Bir-Billing. First thing you must check is that the operator is registered with the local administration. You must check the relevant documents to ensure that.
*Check whether your pilot has the license for tandem paragliding or not. Check his flying experience. A license is given only if a pilot has 500 hours of flying and 5 years of experience in solo flying. Check his safety track record as well.
*Check the equipment to ensure that it doesn’t appear worn out. A glider has a life of 500 to 700 hours and must be discarded after that.
*As per rules, all paragliding activity is to be stopped one hour before sunset or 6 pm, whichever is earlier. You must follow this rule.
*Don’t go paragliding if the weather is windy or rainy. Bad weather is one of the top reasons behind crashes.
*Fly with a sober pilot. You yourself must also not be under the influence.
*Ensure that the pilot has an extra parachute for emergency landing.
*The operator/pilots are supposed to give you a briefing about the safety and risks involved. Do ask for the briefing before take off.
*Do not try paragliding if you have a fear of height or any other medical condition that may aggravate. Consult your doctor before taking a decision.
*Inquire about the presence of emergency medical service, ambulance etc near the paragliding site. Don’t believe when you are told that “kuchh nahin hoga” (nothing will happen).
*It’s better if you are insured.
*Do your homework before jumping off a cliff. After all, it’s your life.
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