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Biking in the sky
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Easy to launch, control and land, powered paragliding is a new sport that allows people to fly like a bird, writes K. JESHI
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PHOTO: K.ANANTHAN
FREE FALLING A demonstration of para-motoring.
What is it like to strap on an engine and wing to your back and run into the sky? "Like motorcycling in the air," says the five-member team of Adventure Inc.
The passion to fly like a bird is taking this group of businessmen from Kerala on a mission to ignite the spirit of adventure among youth. "Our objective is to create awareness about adventure sports. After training students from the NCC and air wing in Kerala, we now want to take the thrill of aero sports to youth in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," says A.M. Sunil, founder member.
A spectacular paramotoring feat by the team at Madukkarai, 20 km from Coimbatore, marked the beginning. "Paramotoring is powered aviation (paragliding with a motor). In paragliding, you climb a hill, glide and land in a valley. But in paramotoring, you can take off from any open space, even something the size of a football field, and soar into the sky," adds Sunil.
Team members say it is like a personal flying system where you get to enjoy freedom. A backpack-style ultra light aircraft engine called a paramotor, attached to a standard paraglider wing, is used for the flight. "The ultra light aircraft, sourced from Germany, allows you to travel at as low as one feet and at an extremely slow pace," explains Sunil.
Flying by the beach
Windy and rainy weather are a definite no for the sport. "When the wind is turbulent, launching becomes difficult. The ideal wind speed is between eight and nine km per hour and flight is possible up to a speed of 20 km. The weather condition near beaches is ideal. We flew about 15 km along the coastal belt in Kozhikode," recalls P.S. Ashok, team member and wildlife photographer.
"Though Kerala has the advantage of a coastal belt, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are an aviator's heaven due to its vast expanse of open land and good wind conditions," remarks A.M. Salim, who cruised at 300 to 400 ft.
For shorter altitudes, navigation is by visual flight rating while GPS is used for higher altitudes. Flying speed is typically between 30 and 60 km/hr depending on the wind.
Besides recreational aviation, paramotoring also finds use in aerial photography and filming, wildlife research, aerial touring, advertising and promotions, land survey, joyriding, cross country flying and much more. "In Europe and America, farm owners use this equipment to get an aerial view of their vast farms," says Sunil, who has trained in microlite aviation from Dubai and Mumbai. "Training is vital for this sport. After mastering paragliding, one can graduate into paramotoring. This normally takes a couple of months and costs Rs. 40,000. Trained adventure lovers can hire our equipment," he adds.
The sport is yet to take off in a big way in South India, though it is popular in tourist places like Goa.
Staying fit is vital. "There is a hint of danger in any adventure sport. But, in paramotoring, even if something goes wrong with the engine, you can descend with the help of the parachute," says P. S. Dileep Kumar, another member.
Adventure Inc. also offers training in paragliding, hang gliding and para sailing. At present, they have two single-seaters for paramotoring. A two-seater, where anyone can enjoy the experience by just tagging along with the pilot, will be made available shortly.
"Youth in Tamil Nadu are passionate about bike and car racing; we want to introduce them to the thrills in the sky," adds P. S. Ashok. For details contact 0491 2535960/ 09447030031.
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