Paraglider pilots undergo safety training in Bilaspur

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, is training the state’s tandem paragliding pilots in emergency maneuvering and landing at the Gobind Sagar Lake near Bilaspur. The first batch of 20 pilots were awarded with medals and certificates after completing their training today.

Gimner Singh, the chief trainer of the course, said ‘Simulation D’Incident’en Vol’ (SIV) is a paragliding course that helped the pilots train in handling a glider in unstable situations and recovering from flight incidents.

He said the SIV course was designed to improve a pilot’s safety and overall flying ability in glider handling, besides learning that how a glider behaved and how to control it in emergency situations.

Tarranum Thakur, a 20-year-old tandem pilot from Bir-Billing, said the course had instilled confidence in him, besides improving his flying skills.

Devesh Kumar from Katrain in Kullu district said he was learning the skills he had never heard about. The training would help him in better maneuvering of the glider, he added.

Avinash Negi, director of the mountaineering institute, said the institute had opened 150 slots during the 30-day training camp and interested pilots could enrol online. He added that all the slots had been booked and more slots would be offered, if need be.

The director said SIV training was being given in batches of 20 pilots. The capacity building training was aimed at enabling the pilots in minimising the risk of accidents.

He said the institute had trained 150 pilots at Pong Dam in March and April. The course was mandatory for every tandem pilot under the aero sports rules, he said, adding that the institute was fully prepared to handle the demand.

He added that the SIV courses would continue till November.