Aviators glide into record books

Six paragliders from city fly for over six hours continuously at night

Six paragliders from city fly for over six hours continuously at night

For the first time in the country and in Asia, a team of six aviators created history last night by setting a record in night paramotoring. The members of Wings and Flies supported by Pune Gliding Centre flew between 7 pm and 1 am continuously and extended it till the wee hours.

Scaling new heights: The paragliders, all members of Wings and Flies and supported by Pune Gliding Centre, flew between 7 pm and 1 am continuously. pic/jignesh mistry

Paragliding instructor Eric Menezes, Environmental Officer, PMC Mangesh Dighe, city-based businessman Umesh Kulkarni, Director of Hyderabad based company Imad Farooqi, dentist Dr Rammohan Nair, and more importantly automobile engineering student Rhone Menezes (17) defied all odds and set the record, despite low visibility, pitch darkness, windless night and cold weather.

Captain Shailesh Charbhe, instructor in charge of gliding centre said: "All the records in flying are set by European aviators, but we want to show the world that Indians are quite capable of rising to the
occasion."

Menezes said: "Night flying is a difficult and complicated task. Darkness was our biggest fear, but with the help of moonlight we acheived it."

An excited Imad Farooqi, who struggled to take off initially and only made it in his third attempt said: "Live life to the fullest, it's too short to put in a lot of thinking, just go ahead and make it lively."

Dr Nair, flew with a message. "Through this sport I want to promote oral hygiene."

Dighe, who hogged the limelight with some daring stunts on his paramotor, was applauded for his feat. Menezes has already made a mark by flying 100 km and as high as 3,000 feet, which in itself is a great achievement.

Charbhe on this occasion said that youngsters should take up this adventure sport to achieve new heights.