The Union ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) on Tuesday announced the country’s first national air sports policy (NASP 2022), paving the way for a new era in aero sports for India.
“The youth of India represents the future of aero sports. Programs aimed at raising interest in aerial sports will be encouraged. Schools, colleges, and universities will be encouraged to have air sports included in the curriculum,” Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said.
The Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) will be the apex governing body for this initiative. “The ASFI will publish its draft guidelines within six months of the date of publication of NASP 2022 after consulting with stakeholders. This federation will be chaired by civil aviation ministry secretary Rajiv Bansal,” the policy read.
The National Air Sports Policy will cover air sports such as aerobatics, aeromodelling, model rocketry, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding and powered gliding, hang-gliding and powered hang-gliding, parachuting (including skydiving, BASE jumping and wingsuit flying), paragliding and paramotoring (including powered parachute trikes), powered aircraft and rotorcraft.