<p>Last weekend, three individual paragliding accidents resulted in fatalities in Himachal Pradesh and Goa.</p>.<p>City-based experts share tips to keep in mind when paragliding. </p>.<p>Kumar Swamy, who manages Bangalore Aviation and Sports Enterprises, says one should not take risks with aviation-based activities. Licensing and experience of the pilot (for tandem paragliding) are important, he says. “Weather conditions matter most. One cannot take off in a crosswind (wind from the side). Taking off in a headwind (wind blowing in opposite direction of movement) is key,” he adds.</p>.Woman tourist, instructor die in paragliding accident in North Goa.<p>His group only did 30 flights between January 1 and 15. “It was either raining, too cloudy or windy,” he adds. October to March is the ideal time for paragliding in Bengaluru. In good weather, on an average, they do up to 50 flights in a day. </p>.<p>A passenger must be guided about the number of steps to run before take-off and placing legs straight when landing, among other things. “Most accidents happen due to the pilot’s decision to take off even in unfavourable circumstances. We need regulations, not restrictions,” he adds.</p>.<p>Krishan Kant Bhagra of XC Wings Aerosports says it is a passenger’s duty to check if the pilot, gliding site and the operator are licensed and approved by the government. “Before a flight, do a visual inspection of the equipment,” he says. Passengers should wear closed footwear, he adds. At Bir and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, the state government annually tests and reviews the equipment used. “Such mandatory regulations should be applicable in every state,” says Bhagra.</p>.<p><strong>Solo paragliding</strong></p>.<p>Be it solo or tandem paragliding, a few details should be kept in mind, points out licensed pilot Srikanth Venkatesh. “Studying the wind conditions — direction of the wind, intensity and its speed, and checking the weather forecast is a must,” he explains. Check the helmet, knee and elbow braces, harness, reserve parachute, carabiners, porosity and lines of the glider before a flight, he adds. If flying solo, training under a certified instructor and school is important, insists Bhagra. </p>.<p><strong>4 DEATHS SINCE JAN 17</strong></p>.<p>Jayesh Ram, a Tamil Nadu-based entrepreneur, succumbed to injuries after a paragliding accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on January 17. On January 18, Bhavsar Khushi from Ahmedabad died in another paragliding accident in Himachal, near Dharamshala. In another incident on January 18, Shivani Dabale from Pune and her instructor Sumal Nepali from Nepal died in a paragliding mishap in North Goa.</p>.<p><strong>CALL FOR GUIDELINES</strong><br></p><p>Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, who is a friend to Jayesh’s parents, posted on X about how “stronger regulatory oversight” is needed in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. Several netizens stressed the importance of regulations and a regulation authority for adventure sports in the country.</p>
<p>Last weekend, three individual paragliding accidents resulted in fatalities in Himachal Pradesh and Goa.</p>.<p>City-based experts share tips to keep in mind when paragliding. </p>.<p>Kumar Swamy, who manages Bangalore Aviation and Sports Enterprises, says one should not take risks with aviation-based activities. Licensing and experience of the pilot (for tandem paragliding) are important, he says. “Weather conditions matter most. One cannot take off in a crosswind (wind from the side). Taking off in a headwind (wind blowing in opposite direction of movement) is key,” he adds.</p>.Woman tourist, instructor die in paragliding accident in North Goa.<p>His group only did 30 flights between January 1 and 15. “It was either raining, too cloudy or windy,” he adds. October to March is the ideal time for paragliding in Bengaluru. In good weather, on an average, they do up to 50 flights in a day. </p>.<p>A passenger must be guided about the number of steps to run before take-off and placing legs straight when landing, among other things. “Most accidents happen due to the pilot’s decision to take off even in unfavourable circumstances. We need regulations, not restrictions,” he adds.</p>.<p>Krishan Kant Bhagra of XC Wings Aerosports says it is a passenger’s duty to check if the pilot, gliding site and the operator are licensed and approved by the government. “Before a flight, do a visual inspection of the equipment,” he says. Passengers should wear closed footwear, he adds. At Bir and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, the state government annually tests and reviews the equipment used. “Such mandatory regulations should be applicable in every state,” says Bhagra.</p>.<p><strong>Solo paragliding</strong></p>.<p>Be it solo or tandem paragliding, a few details should be kept in mind, points out licensed pilot Srikanth Venkatesh. “Studying the wind conditions — direction of the wind, intensity and its speed, and checking the weather forecast is a must,” he explains. Check the helmet, knee and elbow braces, harness, reserve parachute, carabiners, porosity and lines of the glider before a flight, he adds. If flying solo, training under a certified instructor and school is important, insists Bhagra. </p>.<p><strong>4 DEATHS SINCE JAN 17</strong></p>.<p>Jayesh Ram, a Tamil Nadu-based entrepreneur, succumbed to injuries after a paragliding accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, on January 17. On January 18, Bhavsar Khushi from Ahmedabad died in another paragliding accident in Himachal, near Dharamshala. In another incident on January 18, Shivani Dabale from Pune and her instructor Sumal Nepali from Nepal died in a paragliding mishap in North Goa.</p>.<p><strong>CALL FOR GUIDELINES</strong><br></p><p>Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, who is a friend to Jayesh’s parents, posted on X about how “stronger regulatory oversight” is needed in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. Several netizens stressed the importance of regulations and a regulation authority for adventure sports in the country.</p>