The Hindu Business Line : Paramotoring: Flying to gain further momentum

Advertisement

Coimbatore Jan. 26 Adventure Inc is all out to create some thrill in the sky. The passion to fly like a bird in the sky has driven a group of five enthusiasts from Kerala focus on `paramotoring'. And the group is now intent on creating `adventure' awareness among the youth.

`It's like motorcycling in the air', says Mr A.M. Sunil, Founder-member of Adventure Inc. The team, according to Mr Sunil, has pioneered this sport in Kerala by covering the coastal areas. They are now trying to popularise it in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

After performing a spectacular paramotoring feat at Madukakari near Coimbatore, he explained: `Paramotoring is "powered paragliding". `In paragliding you climb a hill, glide and land in a valley. In paramotoring you take off from any open space, even a small piece of land. Unlike most other aerial sports this is affordable. Training though is vital for this sport. An individual should master paragliding to graduate to paramotoring,' he said.

A backpack-style ultra light aircraft engine called paramotor attached to a standard paraglider wing is used for the flight.

`One does not need a licence for flying this. The versatile use of this machine is in recreational flying, for taking aerial photography, filming, wild life research, advertisement and business promotion, land survey and a lot more. It can also be used by coast guards,' he added.

Stating that farm owners in the US and Europe used this equipment to take an aerial view of their holdings and trained adventure lovers popularised this sport in tourist spots such as Goa, he said the sport was yet to take off in a big way in the South.

`Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have advantage over Kerala as there is vast expanse of open land and the weather generally suited for flying,' Mr Sunil said.

Wet weather conditions and heavy winds are a definite `no' for this sport. The ideal wind speed would be 8 to 9 km/hour and the equipment can easily soar into the sky up to a height of 18,000 ft above ground level (AGL). The comfort level, however, would be 5,000-6000 ft AGL, he said.

Visual flight reader is used in low/short altitude flying.

The team has invested about Rs 6 lakhs for importing the equipment from Germany. `We know the technology, but have not developed one yet,' says Mr Sunil.

Adventure Inc is, however, trying to introduce a two-seater model very soon. `We have two single seaters for showcasing this sport at present. The two-seater would make it convenient for anyone to enjoy the flying experience by tagging along with the pilot,' he explained.

The team has in the meantime done some advertising events for business houses in Kerala. `We are planning to tie-up with corporate houses, district tourism promotion board and adventure lovers to promote this sport, which like any other adventure sports is not without risk,' said Mr Sunil.

More Stories on : Tourism | Tamil Nadu | Sports

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
`Social negotiation must for distribution of land'

Karnataka Govt sanctions Rs 5 cr for temples renovation

R-Day parade

Capping it all

Republic Day meeting

Old DD serials a big success online

Getting women into gaming parlour

When the city with a soul beckoned him

Paramotoring: Flying to gain further momentum