The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched an aero-sports policy to transform India into one of the top destination for aerial sports by 2030. First, an inspection body will be set up for regulation, certification, and accidents. a punishment.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched an air-sports policy to transform India into a top destination for aerial sports by 2030. First, the policy establishes an oversight body for regulation, certification, accidents and penalties.
the story So Far: On June 7, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled a National Sports Policy to promote sports such as aerobatics, hot-air ballooning and paragliding, with an aim to make India one of the top aerosports countries by 2030.
As part of the policy, a four-tier structure will be set up to govern aero sports with the Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) as the apex body. ASFI will be an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
Speaking at the launch of the National Air Sports Policy 2022 (NASP 2022), Mr Scindia said that the air sports ecosystem in India has the potential to generate over 1 lakh direct jobs and generate annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore. “From a small market of around 5,000 odd aerial sports practitioners in India earning an annual revenue of around Rs 80-100 crore, I think we can target an annual revenue of over Rs 8,000-10,000 crore and 1, Can create more than 00,000 direct jobs. The economic multiplier benefit will be more than three times in terms of travel, tourism, support services and development of local infrastructure,” remarked the minister.
A tourist parasailing in Thiruvananthapuram’s Kovalam. , photo Credit: –
What are aerial sports and which will be included?
The policy document defines aerial sports as sports activities involving the medium of air. Examples include air-racing, aerobatics, hang gliding, paragliding and skydiving. The following will be covered by the National Air Sports Policy 2022:
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aeroplane
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Aero Modeling and Model Rocketry
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amateur-built and experimental aircraft
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balloons
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drone
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Gliding and Powered Gliding
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Hang Gliding and Powered Hang Gliding
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Parachuting, which will include skydiving, base jumping and wing suits
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Paragliding and Para Motoring including powered parachute trikes
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Powered aircraft, including ultra-light, microlight and light-sports aircraft
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rotorcraft that includes autogyro
According to the ministry, the list can be extended if required.
The Idea Behind NASP 2022
Although adventurers have been doing aerial sports across the country for years, there is no formal framework to ensure their safety given the high level of risk. Through the Aero Sports Policy, the center states its intention to promote the sector by providing a “safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem”.
Apart from the economic benefits, the government is also looking at harnessing the sector, especially in the hilly areas, to boost tourism, travel, infrastructure and employment.
The policy is also designed to include “overseas” Hawaii sports professionals who move away from major Hawaii sports venues during the winter season. “ASFI and Hawaii Sports Federation will work towards developing a hassle-free process to enable their movement in India. This will enable Indian aerial sports enthusiasts to learn from the experience of visiting professionals, be exposed to global best practices and create opportunities to host global competitions in India,” the policy stated.
Air sports is managed worldwide by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Headquartered in Switzerland, FAI is accredited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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What are the goals of the policy?
In short, to make India a global hub of aerial sports by 2030, the Center has said that to achieve this goal, it will focus on promoting the culture of aerial sports in the country by adopting international best practices on safety. Will do Towards this end, it has announced a four-tier governance structure to oversee the Hawaii Games. The policy also states that sports equipment will be developed and manufactured keeping in mind the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The government is also considering an incentive scheme to promote the manufacture of aerial sports equipment in India.
Newly Established Policy Framework for Aero Sports
Four Tier Governance Structure: The 11 identified aerial sports will come under a four-tier governance structure, with the Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) as the apex body. It will oversee aspects such as regulation, certification, accidents and penalties. National federations for individual aerial sports would be at the second level, regional units and their state allies would be at the third level and district level aerial sports federations would administer the games at the local level.
ASFI: The apex body will control aspects of regulation, certification, competitions, awards and penalties. It will also be responsible for organizing promotional events and competitions with the help of the National Hawaii Sports Federations. ASFI will have the Civil Aviation Secretary as the head while the Joint Secretary of the Ministry will be appointed as the Member Secretary. Its Governing Council will consist of two representatives each from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), National Air Sports Federation and Aero Club of India and three aero sports experts to be nominated by the Chairman. , The Council shall meet once in every three months. A secretariat will be established at ASFI which will bring together professionals with knowledge and experience in aerial sport, administration, finance, marketing and law. ASFI will publish its draft guidelines within six months.
National Hawaii Sports Federation: Regulatory issues related to safety, training, licensing and airworthiness will be handled by these associations. They will coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to ensure safe operation of manned and unmanned flights as well. These national air sports federations will organize competitions at the national level and collaborate with international organizations. They will maintain all flight records and other data from these competitions. The rules for insurance and compensation in case of accident will also be made by him.
Each National Hawaii Sports Federation shall have an elected President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Executive Council shall consist of the President and Secretaries of State Level Aerial Sports Federations, representatives of Central Departments, Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces etc. and at least two stalwarts of the respective Aerial Sports. The report said the public would be charged “without compromising on the quality, security, national security and operational requirements of the forces” to use selected facilities of the armed forces, CAPFs and state police forces.
Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Time limit of 48 hours to report accidents
Air sports can be exhilarating, but they also carry a lot of risk. To ensure safety, Hawaiian sports federations will set safety standards for equipment, infrastructure, personnel and training in accordance with global best practices for the sport concerned. The guidelines will also include details of disciplinary action that will be taken in case of non-compliance.
Under the policy, an accident related to an aerial sport must be reported in writing to the aerial sports federation concerned, with a copy to ASFI, within 48 hours. The policy states that failing to do so may result in penal action.
If ASFI finds that an air sports federation is not implementing adequate safety standards, it has the right to take punitive action, including suspension.
Register for Hawaii Games
All individuals and organizations providing aerial sports or related services must register as members of aerial sports federations. Major equipment must also be registered with the Air Sports Association. In the case of closed or damaged equipment, Hawaiian sports federations must ensure safe and risk-free disposal by their members. Associations must be notified when aerial sports equipment is transferred.
To promote aerial sports, the Center may advocate for 5 per cent or less of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) on equipment. Currently, the GST on aerial sports equipment is 18 to 28 percent.
Who will authorize sports flights?
Since aerial sporting activities will share space with manned and unmanned aircraft already in operation, they will be conducted in coordination with ATC. Local ATC may also be contacted for conducting aerial games in restricted and controlled airspace. Each national air sports federation will rely on airspace statistics published by the Aeronautical Information Publication as well as Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
For any aerial sporting activity, all necessary clearances need to be obtained from the authorities at least 24 hours in advance. If sporting activity is common in the airspace, ATC may ask the operator to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP).
In areas where aerial sports are frequently held, aerial sports federations have to apply to the MoCA for the establishment of a ‘separate airfield’. The clearance for such airfields will be given after reviewing the national security and security aspects. If approved, the details will be published in Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)-India to facilitate hassle free aerial games at different airfields.
AIP is an aviation document published by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) containing aeronautical information and other details required for air navigation. “We are looking at creating separate airfields for aerial games in some corridors, as we have done with drones. This will help in the spread of these sports,” said Mr. Scindia.
In case of violation of air sports rules
Violation of the rules prescribed by the policy will result in a maximum penalty of Rs. 50,000 This applies to both individuals and organizations, and may be imposed by the AFSI or the relevant Air Sports Association.