Aero Sports Rules Amended, Stricter Safety Norms Introduced

Pilots conducting tandem flights will now be required to complete a paragliding safety course before taking passengers on board.

The Himachal Pradesh government has amended the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022 to make adventure sports safer and more stringent, particularly for tourists who experience tandem flights with professional pilots.

The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation issued a notification on September 20 inviting suggestions and objections within 30 days. The revised provisions will be known as the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The amendment specifically alters clause (j) of sub-rule (3) under Rule 5 of the 2022 rules.

Under the new regulations, tandem pilots must complete a paragliding safety course before obtaining a tandem license. Pilots already registered with the department have until August 31, 2026, to complete a simulation-based paragliding safety training program.

Paragliding remains one of the biggest attractions for tourists in Himachal Pradesh, with popular sites including Bir-Billing near Baijnath in Kangra, Kullu, Manali, and several other destinations. However, the sport has also witnessed multiple accidents, some of them fatal.

The amendment seeks to tighten safety protocols and make safety training mandatory for tandem pilots—those flying with passengers alongside a trained professional.

As per the Himachal Pradesh Aero Sports Rules, 2022, individuals can only participate in aero sports after registering with the Department of Tourism. Licenses are issued only after training and clearance from a technical committee regarding equipment safety.

Despite these requirements, there have been cases of unregistered operators engaging in aero sports. While trained pilots have occasionally been involved in mishaps, accidents during tandem flights have raised greater concern, especially in Kullu, where tourists flying with licensed pilots have lost their lives.

The latest amendment aims to minimize such risks by ensuring that every pilot engaged in tandem commercial flights undergoes rigorous safety training, thereby enhancing both accountability and passenger safety.