AI Generated Summary
- With the wind beneath his wings and a licence in hand, Rahul Gadhwal is charting a new course — one that soars above the Himalayan hills and into the future of adventure aviation.
- His achievement is expected to open new avenues for tourism in Himachal Pradesh, positioning the state not only as a haven for trekkers and skiers but also for those who dream of taking to the skies.
- Rattan praised Rahul’s accomplishment, describing it as “not just a licence to fly — but a symbol of a new era in adventure sports for Himachal Pradesh.
In a pioneering moment for Himachal Pradesh’s growing adventure tourism sector, Rahul Gadhwal from Nadaun has made history by becoming the state’s first officially licensed Para Motor Glider Pilot (PMGP). His certification, issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, marks a significant breakthrough in the development of motorised aerial sports in the region.
The licence was formally presented at a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, with Nadaun MLA Sanjay Rattan handing over the official documents. Rattan praised Rahul’s accomplishment, describing it as “not just a licence to fly — but a symbol of a new era in adventure sports for Himachal Pradesh.” He expressed optimism that Gadhwal’s feat would inspire a new generation of young adventurers to explore careers in aviation and extreme sports.
Rahul’s journey into the skies began nearly two decades ago, in 2007, with paragliding training in Solang Nallah near Manali under the guidance of instructor Budhi Prakash. His early experiences sparked a passion that eventually led him to explore flying closer to home. He scouted numerous locations including Sujanpur Hills, Solasinghi Dhaar at the Hamirpur–Una border, and the hill ranges near Jawalamukhi in Kangra. However, it was the expansive riverbanks of the Beas near Nadaun that captured his imagination for powered flight.
Encouraged by his mentor Col (retd) Neeraj Rana, former Director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Rahul committed to mastering the art of para motor gliding. He trained extensively at both ABVIMAS in Kullu and the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) in Arunachal Pradesh. The path to licensing required an impressive 300 hours of solo flying and significant personal investment — nearly Rs 10 lakh in equipment and training.
Now, as the first PMGP licence holder in the state, Rahul is setting his sights on promoting motorised paragliding as a viable sport and business. “It’s not just thrilling,” he says, “but can also be financially rewarding if supported well.”
His achievement is expected to open new avenues for tourism in Himachal Pradesh, positioning the state not only as a haven for trekkers and skiers but also for those who dream of taking to the skies.
With the wind beneath his wings and a licence in hand, Rahul Gadhwal is charting a new course — one that soars above the Himalayan hills and into the future of adventure aviation.
