Paragliding 101

1st Row (L to R), Back: Patil, Capt Pankaj, Milind Uncle
2nd Row Standing (L to R): Pankaj Tyagi: Instructor,
Debu: Winchman, Ramdas, Rahul, Captain Abhishek,
KS Reddy, Deepu, SK, Shailender, and the Titan Driver

Seven Students meet a Gentle Para Gliding Instructor
Six of them are Experienced Himalayan Para Gliders
Para Cheetahs, of the 60 Army Pilots of ~400 in India
One is a Wild Card Entry, Boss gets him Special Access

For Five Days, They Take Off with a 1km Tow and Land
And (re)Learn the Basics, Including the Boss's Respect
After all, Only that's When the Instructor will Trust you
Old Saying: There are Old Pilots & there are Bold Pilots
But There rarely are Old and Bold Pilots, Nature's Rules

One gets an advanced Training Session, He is Lucky
The Para Cheetahs are Gearing up for an Expedition
The Instructor will be Occupied near the Indian Ocean
Until 1st December, Then He's Open to Civilians Again
Wishes the Para Cheetahs Land at India Gate, 26-Jan

Flying into Sunsets, does make One feel at Peace
Even with Baggage that you Can't Leave Behind
Then the BMW India Head of Purchase shows up
on the Last day. He's been Paragliding for 20 yrs
Yes, The DGCA Waiting List for Pilots is 1.5yrs long
Tchh, that we now import aging Pilots for Aviation
Capacity Planning in India will take time, till then...

Anyways, after Paragliding 101, some Stats are,
Total Winch Flights : 62

Solo Flights, Rahul : 12
Solo Flights w/o Ground Control, Rahul : 3
Solo Hard Landing, Rahul : 1 (downwind, gusty)
Short Term Action Items : 7
Long Term Plans : 3

Para Gliding becomes Practical in 1978
Para Gliding Introduced in India in 1992
Para Gliding Pilots in France are ~80000
Para Gliding Pilots in Germany are ~18000
Para Gliding Pilots in India are roughly 400
Para Gliding Pilots in the Indian Army are 60
Well, One Part-time Long Term Plan is Obvious