India’s first national air sports policy (NASP 2022) paves the way for a new era in aero sports with the announcement of the Union ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) on Tuesday.
In its present form, the NASP will cover 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.
“The youth of India represent the future of aero sports. Programs will be encouraged to increase interest in aerial sports, and schools, colleges, and universities will be encouraged to include air sports in their 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 ASFI will be an autonomous body, and will present India at the Fédération aéronautique internationale (FAI) and other global platforms related to air sports. It will provide governance over all aspects of air sports, including regulation, certification, competitions, awards, and penalties,” MoCA said.
To ensure safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable air sports activities, national air sports associations will be responsible to ASFI.
According to MoCA, all regulatory issues related to safety, training, licensing, and airworthiness will be handled by sports associations. Air traffic control authorities must coordinate with them for safe operations, along with manned and unmanned flights.
“The long-term funding for development of air sports in India shall come from corporate investors, sponsors, membership fees, events, and media rights… All air sports competitions in India will be conducted as per guidelines laid down by FAI, wherever applicable,” the policy read.
The policy also stated that a person, or an associated person, involved in an accident will inform the concerned air sports association in writing, along with a copy to the ASFI, no later than 48 hours after an incident.
“Inability to enforce adequate safety standards by an air sports association may lead to penal action by the ASFI against such association, including financial penalties, suspension or dismissal,” the policy stated.