PANAJI
The Goa government has published draft rules to regulate aero sports such as paragliding and paramotoring in the State.
The proposed Goa Aero Sports Rules, 2025, issued under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 “ notification of which was released on Thursday “ has invited objections and suggestions within 30 days.
The rules set out qualifications for operators and tandem pilots, registration procedures, and inspections by a technical committee. Operators would be required to have a local office in Goa and meet language, age and technical proficiency requirements.
The rules have specified qualifications for operators and tandem pilots, registration procedures, and inspections by a technical committee.
As per the draft, operators will be required to have a local office in Goa and meet language, age and technical proficiency requirements.
Also, operators intending to conduct aero sports during the upcoming season must apply to the competent authority between June 1 and July 15 each year, or on dates notified by the Tourism Department. Applications will be scrutinised by officials and then placed before a technical committee, which will fix inspection dates for documents, equipment, and practical tests “ including viva voce and flying assessments of tandem pilots. The committee must submit its recommendations by September 15, annually. Once approved, operators must pay the prescribed fee to receive a Certificate of Registration.
The draft has also clarified that mid-season registrations, between October and May, would not be permitted. Solo pilots flying their own or hired equipment, or working under a registered operator, would also need prior registration and permission.
Qualifications for operators comprise Indian citizenship, a minimum 10th standard pass, proficiency in English, Hindi, Konkani or Marathi, a minimum age of 21 years, and advanced technical knowledge of aero sports, which may be tested by the technical committee “ headed by Director, Tourism.
For Tandem Pilot, the educational qualification should be 12th pass, medically fit with mandatory annual medical check-up, applicant should already be working in this field as tandem pilot with technical qualification and not having required educational qualifications as laid down in clause; should have achieved 100 hours of Solo Flying and 50 non-commercial flights as sports tandem pilot before converting to commercial flying, etc.
