How to Start Paragliding in India

Since paragliding is an adventure sport, it is important to choose your training institute carefully. It is easy to go to Google and select the schools that appear first, or simply choose one based on Instagram advertisements. However, there is a better approach.

Visit the websites of multiple paragliding schools and look at their qualifications, certifications, experience, and training philosophy. Understand what they value most in their teaching methodology and choose the school that you feel is best qualified to train you. Ensure that the instructors are well educated, experienced, and actively involved in the sport.

Before booking your course, get all your questions answered.

Some common questions prospective students ask are:

What does the course cost?
How many days of training are required?
Is certification provided?
Qualifications of Instructors and training staff?

Let's answer these questions.

1. Cost of Training

Remember that lower costs often mean compromises are being made somewhere.

Paragliding equipment has a limited lifespan, and this lifespan reduces further when equipment is used extensively for student training. Most school gliders need to be replaced every 3–4 years. A complete set of training equipment can cost upwards of ₹5–6 lakhs.

If a school charges significantly less than others, it may struggle to maintain the same equipment replacement schedules and safety standards. When evaluating a school, it is important to understand what is included in the fee and how the school maintains its equipment and safety systems.

2. How Many Days Are Required Before Your First Flight?

Like any sport, progress depends less on the number of days and more on the number of quality training hours invested.

At our school, day 1 starts with students training throughout the day on a large open field for as long as weather conditions permit, maximizing learning opportunities.

If you train only 2 hours per day, you will generally require around 3 days of ground training before taking your first flight. Each day begins with a review of the previous day's lessons, followed by new exercises, equipment setup, and packing procedures.

However, if you spend 4–5 hours training on your first day, you can often be ready to fly on Day 2, while also developing a stronger foundation of skills.

From the first flight to becoming a competent independent pilot, most people require approximately 15 days of training. These days can be spread out over time, although completing them consecutively is generally more beneficial.

3. Certification in India

The Aeroclub of India (ACI) has been appointed to facilitate paragliding training and establish safety protocols for paragliding schools across the country.

ACI-affiliated schools can provide nationally and internationally recognized pilot Licenses. To obtain these licenses, students must successfully complete both practical and theoretical examinations.

Our training institute also maintains a digital record of your rating level. You can view your current pilot rating and insurance validity dates at any time through our website. These records are updated regularly as you progress through the sport.

3. Qualifications of instructors and training staff

When choosing a paragliding school, one of the most important factors to evaluate is the qualifications of its instructors and training staff.

Across India, many schools advertise various certifications and credentials. However, there is often confusion about what these certifications actually mean and whether they reflect current industry standards.

To understand this, it helps to look at how paragliding training developed in India. In the early days of the sport, international solo pilots visited the country to explore its flying potential. Many generously shared their knowledge with local enthusiasts, introducing them to the basic fundamentals of paragliding. Some of these early pilots went on to establish training schools, creating opportunities beyond traditional occupations of the local villagers where they were staying during their visit; these pilots offered them the opportunity to grow the sport in India.

While several schools have continued to evolve with modern equipment, teaching methods, and safety practices, others still rely on training systems and procedures developed more than 25 years ago. Paragliding equipment, safety protocols, meteorological understanding, and instructional techniques have advanced significantly since then, making continuous professional development essential.

To address this, the Aero Club of India (ACI), the governing body responsible for air sports in India, has introduced more structured and modern standards for paragliding training and safety. Schools seeking ACI affiliation must meet a range of requirements, including:

Employing properly qualified and certified instructors.
Maintaining equipment to approved standards.
Using training sites that meet operational requirements.
Following established safety and instructional procedures.
Complying with ongoing inspections and operational guidelines.

Schools that meet these standards are granted ACI affiliation and are authorized to issue official pilot licenses for domestic and international flying. There are many schools that say they are certified but they are not. ACI is the only official body in India that can issue paragliding ratings and licenses.

Before enrolling in any paragliding course, verify that the school has met the standards established by ACI. Paragliding is an adventure sport, and while risk can never be eliminated entirely, it can be managed effectively through proper training, modern safety systems, qualified instructors, and professional operating standards.

Choose a school that invests in safety, education, and continuous improvement. When selecting a training institute, remember that you are placing your trust—and your safety—in their hands. Make that decision carefully.

Booking Your Course

When booking your course, you will be asked to provide details such as your height, weight, and other relevant information. This allows us to assign equipment suited to your individual requirements.

Paragliders and harnesses are certified for specific height and weight ranges, and it is essential that your equipment matches these specifications.

You will also be required to complete a self-declaration regarding your medical fitness and sign a waiver form, as paragliding is an adventure sport.

Take the time to read these documents carefully, understand the risks involved, and ensure that all questions are answered before signing.

Most paragliding schools also require advanced payment to reserve your course dates.

How Does Your Paragliding Course Begin?

Your first day is often the most challenging, as this is when you begin learning how to control the paraglider and develop the skills required for safe takeoffs.

The day starts with an introduction to the equipment. This familiarizes you with the terminology that will be used throughout the course while also helping you understand the safety systems built into the equipment.

You will then be briefed on the process of inflating and controlling the wing. An instructor demonstration will provide a clear picture of what you will be learning and what is expected during training.

The remainder of the first day is dedicated entirely to developing these ground-handling skills.

Day Two: Simulator, Theory and Your First Flight

The following morning begins with a simulator session. This allows you to learn how to get into the flying position, how to turn the paraglider, and how to prepare for landing, all while remaining safely on the ground.

Following the simulator session, you will attend a theory class designed to help you understand what is happening during flight. This includes a basic introduction to weather and its effects on paragliders, helping you build a clearer understanding of what to expect once airborne.

After a short break, you will complete a brief online multiple-choice examination lasting approximately 15 minutes. The purpose of this assessment is to verify that you have understood the concepts required before flying.

A minimum score of 75% is required before proceeding to your first flight.

Your First Flights

Now comes the part that every aspiring pilot dreams about—flying.

Weather permitting, you will be allowed to fly throughout the remainder of the day until sunset.

All flights on this day are top-to-bottom flights. The takeoff is approximately a 10–15 minute walk from the landing area, allowing for multiple flights during the day.

You are free to fly for as long as conditions permit, and most students average around three flights on their first flying day.

Throughout every flight, instructors will guide you via radio communication, and we trust you to follow those instructions carefully.

For your first flight, focus entirely on the tasks you have been taught. By your second flight, you will begin to understand how the paraglider responds to your inputs. As your confidence increases and you find yourself higher above the landscape, take a moment to enjoy the view—but always remain focused on your radio instructions, as you are ultimately the person controlling the glider.

Progressing Towards Independent Flight

Progress in paragliding is truly a lifelong journey.

However, from your first flight to developing the skills required to fly independently at a basic pilot level (P3 rating), most individuals require approximately 15 days of training.

Once you obtain your P3 certification, you can purchase your own equipment and fly at basic, student-friendly flying sites.

To achieve your P3 certification, you must demonstrate both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

To help students meet these requirements, we teach theory using presentations, demonstrations, and 3D models. We also provide access to an online training manual developed specifically for our students along with videos explaining concepts more clearly.

This allows students to revisit theoretical concepts after training sessions and better understand their practical applications.

Learning to fly high

During your practical training, you will learn different methods of gaining and losing altitude using various air movements.

Different forms of paragliding flight are defined by the way pilots gain altitude.

Let's look at the two most common methods.

1. Ridge Soaring

Ridge soaring occurs when a pilot remains within the upward-moving air created as wind strikes a hill, ridge, or other obstacle.

The amount of lift generated depends on both the wind direction and the strength of the wind interacting with the terrain.

2. Thermal Flying

Thermals are rising masses of warm air generated by uneven solar heating of the Earth's surface.

Because different ground materials absorb and radiate heat at different rates, some areas warm the air above them more effectively than others. This warmer, less dense air rises through the surrounding cooler air, creating a thermal.

As pilots, we learn how to locate and remain within these rising columns of air, allowing us to gain altitude before gliding toward our next destination.

Using thermals, pilots can fly for many kilometres at a time. This form of flight is known as Cross Country (XC) flying.

Obtaining Your P3 Pilot Certification

Once you have reached the required level of skill and knowledge, you can request to take the P3 Pilot Examination through your training school.

Upon successfully passing the examination, you will receive your National and International Pilot Licenses issued by the Aeroclub of India (ACI).

This license is recognized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and allows you to fly at basic flying sites without direct instructor supervision.

If you would like to progress towards more advanced licensing you will be required to meet those higher standards, Any ACI affiliated school will be able to give you the P4 and P5 examinations.

Buying Your Own Equipment

We have discussed how to start paragliding and how to obtain your license in India, but what is the ultimate goal?

For many pilots, the goal is simple: to fly where they want and when they want.

To do that, you will eventually need your own equipment.

Currently, there are no Indian companies manufacturing paragliders, so equipment must be imported. The easiest way to do this is through authorized dealers of established international brands. Most training schools maintain dealerships with paragliding manufacturing companies and can guide students through the purchasing process.

When purchasing equipment, keep the following points in mind:

Your paraglider and harness must match your height and weight range.
Do not forget to purchase a reserve parachute that is compatible with your harness, and have it installed by qualified professionals.
Invest in a certified paragliding helmet designed specifically for free-flight sports.
When you are flying most communication requires a radio (walkie-talkie), which should be considered an essential part of your equipment setup.
Download a paragliding log book app in order to have a digital log of all your flights to show your skill level and air time.

Paragliding is a sport that rewards patience, consistency, and continuous learning. Your first flight is only the beginning of a journey that can last a lifetime.

By Naasha Pithawalla Paragliding Bawas.

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