Gyrocopter air safari, a first in India, to begin soon in Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Ever heard of gyrocopters? They are small, single-seater aircraft with freely rotating horizontal blades and propellers. Unlike in a helicopter, a gyrocopter's roter is powered by airflow. They are used the world over for military and law enforcement and soon, India will have a gyrocopter owned by the Uttarakhand tourism department to promote adventure tourism in the state. They are planning to commence the 'Himalaya Airsafari' using gyrocopters, the first such safari in the country. The department said the country's first gyrocopter flight test was successfully conducted in Haridwar on Saturday, according to an official release.

The necessary approval to operate the gyrocopters has been obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the statement said. According to the tourism department, these gyrocopters with the latest technology, which have been brought from Germany, would play an important role in connecting tourists with the untouched destinations of Uttarakhand. Colonel Ashwini Pundir, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, who was a part of the gyrocopter flight test, said the state would soon start the 'Himalayan Airsafari' initiative through which tourists will be able to move easily from one place to another while enjoying the views of the Himalayan range and calm rivers.

He said the state-of-the-art gyrocopter purchased from Germany would initially be operated by specially trained German pilots. Plans are underway to develop special airstrips for gyrocopters at various scenic places with the help of the civil aviation department and respective district magistrates, the tourism department said.