What is common to paragliding, skydiving, ballooning, drones, aeromodelling, and paramotoring? All of these are air sports – sports that use air space as their playground.
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland is the world governing body for air sports. Founded on 14 October 1905, it sets standards, organizes events, and maintains global records. FAI has over 100 members and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
At the moment, India does not have a policy for air sports. Therefore, there are also no competitions, except local, small events by private enthusiasts.
To develop air sports in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has made a draft National Air Sports Policy.
This policy has been prepared by specialists in the field.
The policy covers the following ten sports:
a) Aerobatics
b) Aeromodeling
c) Amateur-built and experimental aircraft
d) Ballooning
e) Drones
f) Gliding
g) Hang gliding and paragliding
h) Microlighting and paramotoring
i) Skydiving
j) Vintage aircraft
This draft policy has now been released for inputs from the public. If you have an interest in sky sports and would like to share your inputs, please read the short, 10-page policy at this link.
How does one share feedback?
Feedback can be emailed to Shri S P Singh at sdit.div-moca@gov.in .
The email should be in the following format:
A. Subject should be: Feedback on Draft NASP 2022.
B. Mention the clause in which a change is suggested, the change, and the reason for the change.
Suggestions can be sent up to 1700 hours IST on 31st January 2022.
Image: Representative Image of Hot Air Ballooning.