PARAGLIDING Paragliding is the latest aero sport to take the world by storm. The origin of the sport dates back to 1940s when an aviation pioneer, Dr. Francis Rogalo constructed his flexible Delta Kite and filed a patent for it. But it was not until the early 1980s that parachutes were foot launched regularly from hills. Since then, this sport has been rapidly expanding. Thousands of people all over the world have found this sport convenient, sheer fun and a safe medium of soaring in the air. A para-glider is different from a hang-glider or a parachute in the sense that it is much lighter than a hang-glider, much easier to open up, takes little time, and the additional advantage that you do not need to jump from a helicopter or airplane to enjoy the glide in the sky. What you need is some basic training and the will to achieve success. The slopes of the Solang valley near Manali offer some of the most popular sites for paragliding. Apart from this, Kamshet and Panchghani in Maharashtra offer great slopes for this sport. Other areas coming up for this sport are the Nilgiri hills in the south, the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling/Gangtok area, Auli in Uttaranchal, and Sansar in Jammu & Kashmir. Aero Sports in India - Introduction How about a flying visit in the sky, like a bird with your wings opened up and floating with the force of the air? Come to the ultimate adventure, the adventure of flying free, without any hindrance, the excitement of freedom, the freedom to fly. Come and glide, you little boy! Important Information Physical Requirements - Physical fitness is of utmost importance to participate in this game though importance of mental fitness cannot be denied. People who have high/low blood pressure and are overweight are advised not to participate in high-altitude games and sports. Best Time for Gliding in India - India is a vast country with different geographical zones. These zones also have different climatic conditions that allow a variance in the climate of the country. This variance gives the aero-sports enthusiast ample opportunities to participate in their favorite sports all through the year. more on this...