Aerial adventure: Paramotoring activities begin in Visakhapatnam

At sunrise, Rushikonda feels as if it is holding its breath. I am strapped into the paramotor harness, the sand still cool beneath my feet, when the wing catches the first clean gust. The engine steadies, the beach slips backward and in a few seconds I am gliding above the water as the coastline shimmers below me. The view feels immediate and unreal at the same time, as if the day is unfolding all at once from 400 feet above the sea.

Vihang Adventures, in association with Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), is offering this experience every day through its paramotoring operations at Rushikonda and Sagarnagar beachfront.

The activity was formally introduced on November 15 in the presence of APTDC Chairman N Balaji. Since then, the early morning and late evening rides have already become sought-after slots, largely because these flights allow passengers to watch sunlight shift across the coastline while paramotoring steadily at about 400 to 500 feet above sea level. The rides cover an aerial radius of approximately five to six kilometres for riders to see long, unbroken stretches of the beach, rocky hillocks and the gradual turn of the sea towards the harbour.

According to Surya Teja, the lead pilot and one of the driving forces behind the project, the team currently manages around 30 flights a day, with a plan to increase capacity in the coming days. He explains that the long-term goal is to reach a 100 rides per day. “We are also preparing to introduce Jeep parasailing and jet skiing so that visitors may plan entire adventure itineraries,” says Surya.

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

While the organisation has brought powered paragliding to the city earlier for short durations, the current programme is a sustained activity, designed to run as a permanent feature. The team includes two trained pilots operating two powered paragliders and seven ground personnel who handle equipment checks, weather assessment and passenger support.

The paramotor units used at Rushikonda and Sagarnagar incorporate Power2Fly and Fly Products designs, paired with Rotax aircraft engines. The two-seater configuration includes full-body harnesses, which are monitored and cross-checked by the ground crew before every flight. Surya describes the ride as comfortable and steady. “This was my first ride on a paramotor. It felt secure and comfortable up there. In fact, the entire experience is comparable to settling into a well-supported chair that lifts gradually from the earth,” says Ch Chaitanya, who experienced his first ride at Rushikonda last weekend.

A dedicated safety officer is stationed on the beach throughout the day. He monitors wind behaviour, cloud activity and any sign of shifting conditions. The rides are halted when the wind speed exceeds 15 knots or when there are indications of rain or cyclonic weather patterns. Passengers receive a short briefing prior to take-off, during which they are told how to hold the harness, where to place their feet and how to signal the pilot if they experience discomfort or wish to cut the flight short.

Paramotoring in Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Vihang Adventures has handled aerial activity during the Araku Chali Festival, the Flamingo Festival in Sullurupeta, the Masula Beach Festival in Machilipatnam, the Bharuva Beach Festival in Srikakulam and Vijayawada Utsavalu during the Dasara period. They are also presently running paramotoring units at Ramapuram Beach and Gandikota.

Paramotoring activities in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The organisation’s scope is not limited to leisure. Their staff has supported NDRF teams, State disaster units and defence authorities by providing aerial assistance during emergencies and specialised operations.

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