Ban on solo paragliding lifted

Pokhara / Mar 26: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has lifted the ban on solo paragliding that was imposed on March 5.

CAAN had imposed the ban on solo paragliding nationwide for an indefinite time, three weeks ago, after two persons lost their lives and few others were injured during solo flights.

According to the chief at CAAN’s Pokhara branch, Bhola Prasad Guragain, the meeting held on March 19 decided to lift the ban effective from March 24.

The Authority informed about it through a release of circular to Nepal Airsports Association (NAA), Babu Adventure Paragliding Training School, Syangja and Blue Sky Paragliding Training School, Pokhara.

The circular details that a foreign pilot taking a solo flight should be provided with complete information about local weather and landing areas. It also reads that solo flights must be taken from specified areas and that foreign pilots are forbidden to engage in any paragliding competitions.

The document further specifies that a foreign pilot trying to take a flight requires a letter of recommendation from NAA. It also emphasises that tandem and solo flights must not be operated from the same area, which has raised a question as to where the solo flights would be operated from henceforth.

Presently, tandem flights are being operated from Sarangkot in Pokhara and Toripani area.