Ever dreamt of flying freely and soaring across valleys and mountains? How does it feel to imagine yourself as a free bird, experience breathtaking sceneries and drifting along clouds? If you are thrilled to hear this, Paragliding is the easiest way to live it.
How is Paragliding Done?
Paragliding is done on a paraglider, which is a free flying glider aircraft and has to be launched by the foot. The pilot generally sits on a seat which is suspended below the fabric wing. The paraglider pilot can fly many hours at stretch, if he is skilled and trained.
Anyone above 12 years of age and more than thirty kilograms can try paragliding. Paragliding is all about meteorology, general flight area etiquette and aviation law.
Paragliding in Nandi Hills. Source Flickr
The Nandi Hills Experience
Nandi Hills, located 60 kilometers from Bangalore in the district of Chikballapur, is a delight for every adventure sports enthusiast, and with paragliding being brought back, the experience gets even better. Nandi Hills has canopies, which makes the view from the enchanting hills breath taking.
Paragliding was conducted before by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), but was later stopped by the State Horticulture Department after it was regarded as a dangerous activity. Now expect a huge surge in the number of adventure sports enthusiasts as paragliding has been reintroduced. Flying freely 4581 feet above sea level can be an amazing experience indeed.
Many trainers and professional paraglider pilots prefer Nandi Hills, due to the ideal terrain for paragliding.
How to Get Started Paragliding is a form of sport that needs ample amount of training, before taking off from higher places. Courses ranging from two or three days to a week are available to train paragliding enthusiasts. Important aspects such as forward launch techniques, low level flights, maintaining airspeed and site assessment are taught as a part of the course.
The general focus is on building landing, flying and launching techniques via intensive and repetitive flying trials. A proper training course equips you with adequate expertise to avert difficult weather conditions and taking curves when necessary.
There are many certified courses which can be taken up make you a professional paraglider pilot. Safety is given a lot of importance and is not a reason to worry. Many organizations offering paragliding courses provide the participants with radios, harnesses, helmets and gliders. An ideal paraglider pilot should wear a full sleeve tee, jeans, and sturdy footwear; carrying enough food and water are a necessity.
Quick Facts About The Activity
Paragliding at the end of the day leaves you enthralled with a never-like-before experience. The adrenalin rush is worth experiencing. Now KSTDC offers joyrides at Nandi Hills; all you have to do is reach there and have an experience with a co-glider, who is a professional.
Time limits from 10 minutes to 40 minutes are allotted for the flight, depending on the rush. An option for group sessions on paragliding is also being introduced and is aimed at students and professionals. Apart from various organizations offering paragliding courses, individual trainers are also present.
Also See:
- About Nandi Hills
- Sight Seeing in Nandi Hills
- Nandi Hills – A Spot for Adventure Activities
- 5 Interesting Places near Bangalore You Can Reach in Less Than 2 Hours
- About Bangalore
- Adventure Sports in Karnataka
- Yogi Run To The Nandi Hills