| ULTRALIGHT
AIRCRAFT
The history of gliders
can be traced back to 1896 when Otto Lilienthal of Germany
made unsuccessful attempts with hang-gliders. Gliding
as adventurous sports has gained immense popularity
globally in recent years.
Avia Club Nepal is the
pioneer in ultra-aircraft aviation in Nepal. Since its
inception in 1996, it has been offering sightseeing
tours aboard the ultra-light aircraft (power-glider)
in the Pokhara Valley. The choice of the Pokhara Valley
for ultra-light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because
of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes.
For those who wished they could fly like birds when
growing up, this flight is a must. Leave your woes behind
on earth, soar to heights, bathe in the clouds, reach
out for the mountains and kiss the azure sky as you
fly across it. It might be lonely at the top, but the
spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all
worth it.
The company operates flights
from the Pokhara airport beginning September through
June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m.
and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day during these months.
Three different routes are taken:
- Fly for Fun: The
flight duration is 15 minutes. The aircraft flies
over the Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, Sarangkot hill
at the speed of 50 km/hour to 90 km/hr. The maximum
altitude attained is 5,000 feet. This flight is
designed for the curious who just wants to have
a little fun.
- Touch the Fish Tail:
Not quite, but still this flight takes as close
to the Fish Tail as is possible without compromising
the safety. The flight duration is 30 minutes. The
speed is 90 km/hr.
- Mountain Range Sky Trek:
Flight duration 1 hr. This flight covers
the whole of the Annapurna range at the speed of
90 km/hr to 130 km/hr. The altitude attained is
12, 000 feet, high above the clouds. This flight
is intended for those who like to live life on the
fast track, and love a little adrenaline rush now
and then.
Avia Club Nepal has two
ultra-light aircraft of the model “Biman-1”.
Designed and manufactured in Russia by Biman Company
Ltd, the delta wing aircraft fitted with “ROTAX
582” engine and weighing 170 kg, has operational
speed of 50 km/hr to 130 km/hr. Flying on “BIMAN-1”
is safe. The use of aviation-grade aluminum alloys,
Dracron, Parachute Recovery System (which will help
the aircraft to land safely in case of emergency), world-class
piston and satellite-assisted navigation GSP has enhanced
safety while keeping the weight to a minimum. Ultra-lights
can take off and land in a field or on a dirt road,
and in areas where other planes fear to tread. The aircraft
seats two, a passenger and the pilot. It can fly for
hours and ascend the altitude of 5000 m. Its aerodynamic
quality allows it to perform long flight even with the
engine shut off. It is flown by pilots with over 6,000
flights to his or her credit. The aircraft was accorded
high qualification marks in the BOURGE Air Show in France.
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