Aerial adventure: Paramotoring activities begin in Visakhapatnam

As the sun rises, Rushikonda feels as if she’s holding her breath. I’m strapped into my paramotor harness, the sand still cool under my feet, as the glider catches the first clear breeze. The engine cuts out, the beach slides back, and within seconds I’m floating above the water as the shoreline shimmers below me. The view feels simultaneously immediate and unreal, as if the day were unfolding in an instant from 120 meters above the sea.

Vihang Adventures, along with Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), offers this experience every day through its paramotor operations at Rushikonda and Sagarnagar coast.

The activity was officially launched on November 15 in the presence of APTDC Chairman N Balaji. Since then, early morning and late evening cruises have already become sought-after slots, largely because these flights allow passengers to watch the sunlight change along the coastline while paramotoring steadily at about 400 to 500 feet above sea level. The trips cover an aerial radius of approximately five to six kilometers for cyclists to see long, uninterrupted stretches of beach, rocky humps and the gradual return of the sea towards the harbour.

According to Surya Teja, the chief pilot and one of the driving forces of the project, the team currently operates around 30 flights per day and plans to increase the capacity in the coming days. The long-term goal is to reach 100 rides a day, he explains. “We are also preparing to introduce Jeep parasailing and jet skiing so that visitors can plan their entire adventure programme,” says Surya.

A paramotor landing on the beach in the background of sunset in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: KR Deepak

Although the organization has previously brought powered paragliding to the city for short periods of time, the current program is an ongoing operation designed to be run as a permanent feature. The team includes two trained pilots operating the twin-engine paraglider and seven ground personnel who handle equipment checks, weather assessment and passenger support.

The paramotor units used at Rushikonda and Sagarnagar include Power2Fly and Fly Products designs paired with Rotax aircraft engines. The two-seat configuration includes full-body seat belts, which are monitored and cross-checked by ground crew before each flight. Surya describes the journey as comfortable and stable. “It was my first paramotor ride. I felt safe and comfortable there. In fact, the entire experience can be compared to settling into a well-supported chair slowly rising from the ground,” says Ch Chaitanya, who experienced his first ride at Rushikonda last weekend.

A private security guard is on duty at the beach throughout the day. It monitors wind behavior, cloud activity and signs of changing conditions. Rides are stopped when wind speed exceeds 15 knots or there are signs of rain or cyclonic weather. Passengers receive a brief briefing before departure; During this briefing, they are told how to hold their seat belts, where to place their feet, and how to signal the pilot if they feel uncomfortable or want to interrupt the flight.

Paramotoring at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

Vihang Adventures has conducted aerial events during Araku Chali Festival, Flamingo Festival in Sullurupeta, Masula Beach Festival in Machilipatnam, Bharuva Beach Festival in Srikakulam and Utsavalu in Vijayawada during Dasara. They also currently operate paramotor units at Ramapuram Beach and Gandikota.

Paramotor activities in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

The scope of the organization is not limited to entertainment. Its personnel supported NDRF teams, State disaster agencies and defense authorities by providing aerial assistance during emergencies and special operations.

During the recently concluded CII Partnership Summit, Vihang Adventures signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh State government for a helicopter tourism project worth ₹25 crore. The service is expected to connect Visakhapatnam and Araku Valley through air shuttle services.