FlyNirvana BLOG

I spent an interesting day on the hill with Apoorva and Celine. Both of them had finished their Elementary Pilot (beginner) course and having logged more than 10 flights each from ‘Shinde Tekdi’ ( the training hill) were looking forward to learning how to soar. They were here to do  instructional tandem with Steve and then continue with the Club Pilot ( novice) tuition.It was Apoorva’s first time at Tower Hill and she admitted to be daunted by the height and the distance to the landing. Later she told me “ The tandem flight changed all that’ . I felt so much safer and confident because I was taking off with my instructor. As a student everything goes so fast and there is so much pilot input on short flights that one has to concentrate on. With Steve behind me I got a chance to relax and focus on the tasks at hand.”“Yes I was given the controls in-flight and the tasks are harder on the tandem but you are confident that they are not dangerous but simple normal maneuvers. The instructional tandem helps inculcates a safe attitude  and one is able to grasp the instruction quicker and progress at a relaxed, confident pace.  for the first time I actually enjoyed the view from the top.”“After the instructional tandem when I flew solo I had a clear idea about soaring and knew what it was all about – before that it was just theory.  I knew exactly what I was doing and what was expected of me.”Over the next few days both girls breezed through the CP tasks. soaring beats, efficient turns,  big ears, speed bar, active flying etc. all briefed, practiced and honed.Peace Bliss & Happy LandingsAstrid Rao Nirvana Adventures

Friday saw us get to Shelar in the afternoon. It is always great to fly at Shelar. Meet the kids at the site, enjoy the walk through the fields crushing the foliage underfoot releasing a spicy fragrance that subtly rises up to greet our noses. The grasses on the hillside are now bleached golden while the fields beyond still have traces of green looking like a big patchwork quilt from the air.Dinesh, Rahel and Lina are excited too. For Lina it is a big day – her first flight with her father. She is in a big hurry and wants to fly ‘now’ Rahel has that worried look of a mother that I pick up on immediately. Been there done that! I reassure her and we continue to walk up to the site.Lina took to the air naturally, like a fledgling. It was a glorious day. Great flights and great fun. But first she helped out spreading gliders on the hill.Saturday was reserved for parawaiting at Tower hill. The wind went from strong to inconsequent. It was a day for watching the clouds form and gather.Sunday saw us back at Tower Hill flying all day. East face in the morning and west face in the evening. Nirvana Adventures

Those of you who have been lurking in the Kamshet skies for a while now will have met Dinesh and Rahel who were regulars at Nirvana Adventures and the Kamshet flying scene since before 2000’ they upped and left for Switzerland a few years ago and are here on holiday. It is great to fly and catch up with old friends Doc is here too people. After saying goodbye to him in Bir in October he has made a long road trip visiting all the bird sanctuaries on the way and is presently parked at Native Place making the most of the thermals going off at Tower Hill. Have seen pix of his site at Pipalkoti and all I can say is hats off to him for his determination and passion.