ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT

Introduction
The history of gliders can be traced back to 1896 when Otto Lilienthal of Germany made unsuccessful attempts with hang-gliders. Gliding as adventurous sports has gained immense popularity globally in recent years.

Avia Club Nepal is the pioneer in ultra-aircraft aviation in Nepal. Since its inception in 1996, it has been offering sightseeing tours aboard the ultra-light aircraft (power-glider) in the Pokhara Valley. The choice of the Pokhara Valley for ultra-light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes. For those who wished they could fly like birds when growing up, this flight is a must. Leave your woes behind on earth, soar to heights, bathe in the clouds, reach out for the mountains and kiss the azure sky as you fly across it. It might be lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worth it.

The company operates flights from the Pokhara airport beginning September through June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day during these months. Three different routes are taken

1) Fly for Fun The flight duration is 15 minutes. The aircraft flies over the Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, Sarangkot hill at the speed of 50 km/hour to 90 km/hr. The maximum altitute attained is 5,000 feet. This flight is designed for the curious who just wants to have a little fun.

2) Touch the Fish Tail Not quite, but still this flight takes as close to the Fish Tail as is possible without compromising the safety. The flight duration is 30 minutes. The speed is 90 km/hr.

3) Mountain Range Sky Trek Flight duration 1 hr. This flight covers the whole of the Annapurna range at the speed of 90 km/hr to 130 km/hr. The altitude attained is 12, 000 feet, high above the clouds. This flight is intended for those who like to live life on the fast track, and love a little adrenaline rush now and then.

Avia Club Nepal has two ultra-light aircraft of the model "Biman-1". Designed and manufactured in Russia by Biman Company Ltd, the delta wing aircraft fitted with "ROTAX 582" engine and weighing 170 kg, has operational speed of 50 km/hr to 130 km/hr. Flying on "BIMAN-1" is safe. The use of aviation-grade aluminum alloys, Dracron, Parachute Recovery System (which will help the aircraft to land safely in case of emergency), world-class piston and satellite-assisted navigation GSP has enhanced safety while keeping the weight to a minimum. Ultra-lights can take off and land in a field or on a dirt road, and in areas where other planes fear to tread. The aircraft seats two, a passenger and the pilot. It can fly for hours and ascend the altitude of 5000 m. Its aerodynamic quality allows it to perform long flight even with the engine shut off. It is flown by pilots with over 6,000 flights to his or her credit. The aircraft was accorded high qualification marks in the BOURGE Air Show in France.