Solo paragliding flights in Pokhara are back after almost three years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has lifted the prohibition that stopped these flights following a deadly crash in Sarangkot. The decision now allows certified pilots, both local and international, to fly alone again, without any passengers. Flights will now be watched and handled more closely than before, and there will be dedicated locations for takeoff and landing. According to CAAN, the objective is to raise the level of flying abilities and help bring back tourists to Pokhara. The Nepal Air Sports Association (NAA) will be in charge of the events to make sure that pilots stay in their assigned regions and follow safety rules. Flights are being monitored with stronger laws on the conduct of pilots, such as barring drugs or alcohol. Any breach of these terms might lead to the suspension of licenses or revocation of permits. The requirements also contain technology monitoring, and the pilot and firm concerned will be held completely liable in the event of mishaps. There was a valid justification for the suspension. Safety considerations came first right away when a single pilot perished. At first, CAAN banned all kinds of paragliding. Later, they only allowed tandem flights, or commercial ones, under careful supervision. However, solo flights were still grounded since there was no way to enforce the rules.
Operators had been seeking permission to continue for a time, but CAAN delayed until it could assure closer surveillance. Times have changed. New regulations particularly emphasize safety, and CAAN is keen not to repeat the Sarangkot catastrophe. Flights must stay inside permitted paragliding zones, especially crucial in Pokhara where an international airport presents airspace difficulties. Historically, unauthorized solo flights impeded airline and helicopter flights. These are procedures to guarantee the activity progresses without causing new difficulties. The resurgence of solo flying is not necessary for adventure or sports. It can influence the experience of tourists in Pokhara. Solo foreign pilots would earlier pour into Pokhara. About a thousand of them supposedly used to arrive every year, and quite a few of them lingered for weeks, even months. The bulk of them missed Nepal completely during the prohibition. With the sky gates now open again, these visitors are certain to come back, injecting money, energy, and a feeling of camaraderie into the tourism economy.
Despite the restart, pilots must follow the CAAN-approved route and remain away from prohibited zones. Venturing out from these zones will incur hefty penalties. Although tandem flights are easy to control since there are predetermined timings and timetables, solo pilots fly on their own. For that reason, regulation must be tougher and enforcement firmer, especially in Pokhara. For Pokhara, it's a key aspect of the local economy. The landscape attracts many people , but it is the activities like this that motivate them to remain longer and spend more cash. From restaurants and guesthouses to equipment hire and local transport, the benefits of allowing solo paragliding activity are wide-ranging. Reopening solo flights will enable Pokhara to once again be a destination for fliers and, in doing so, strengthen its image as one of the world's most sought-after paragliding spots.