Aerosport hub plan yet to take off

On April 13, last year, the Gliding Centre, Pune (GCP), sent a proposal to the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asking for equipment that could make the gliding centre a multi-aero sport hub. Interestingly, the proposal was drafted as per instructions of Director-General of Civil Aviation, E K Bharat Bhushan, who had visited the GCP on March 16 the same year. He had said the centre could be converted into a hub for aero sports activity and aero tourism.
It has been a year since the proposal was sent but the equipment is nowhere in sight. Also, the DGCA has established no further correspondence with GCP.
With construction of a Helicopter Training Institute and Heliport by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL) under way at GCP, gliding enthusiasts have expressed concern that powered flying could affect gliding activities at the centre.
In the proposal, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, the GCP, in phase one, had demanded two training gliders, each costing Rs 30 lakh, one medium performance, single-seat glider (Rs 25 lakh), two motor gliders each costing Rs 85 lakh and a high power winch (Rs 60 lakh), besides spares and accessories worth Rs 5 lakh.
28/03/12 Pranav Kulkarni/Express India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2012