Technical Committee
We are a dedicated committee of passionate pilots and instructors working on the technical backbone of paragliding in India. From developing fair and reliable rating systems for pilots, to setting safety benchmarks, shaping regulations, and building frameworks that guide the sport — our mission is to ensure paragliding evolves with innovation, responsibility, and excellence. Together, we safeguard the spirit of free flight while laying the foundation for its safe and sustainable growth.
Eric Menezes
Chairman Technical Committee
India
As the Chief Paramotoring Instructor at Wings and Flights, one of India’s pioneering institutions in paragliding and paramotoring since 1991, he leads a team dedicated to excellence in training, safety, and innovation. Under his guidance, the school has grown into a full-service aviation hub, offering professional instruction, high-quality equipment sales, expert maintenance, and custom manufacturing. An authorized dealer for globally renowned brands, he also brings expertise as a DGCA-certified Sailplane Instructor. His extensive aviation experience ensures a comprehensive, safety-first approach to airsports training and operations across multiple disciplines.
Tanaji Takve
Technical Committee Member
India
Tanaji Takave, popularly known as TJ, began paragliding in 1997 and founded Paragliding Mantra in 2013. His journey into ACRO flying started in 2009, and since then he has trained numerous pilots in basic flying, SIV, and acro across Nepal, Turkey, and various parts of India. In 2017, he performed his first infinity tumbling. Today, TJ is recognized as one of India’s top ACRO pilots and a highly accomplished paragliding instructor, respected for his skill, dedication, and passion for advancing the sport.
Yagya Bhul
Technical Committee Member
India
A PAI-BHPA Certified Instructor and Tandem Pilot, he serves as the Chief Instructor at INDUS Paragliding School. With over 24 years of flying and 21 years of teaching experience, he has been soaring the skies of Kamshet since 1999, sharing his passion for free flight with thousands of students. Known for his expertise, commitment to safety, and calm, confident teaching style, he guides first-time flyers and mentors aspiring pilots with equal dedication.
Raju Rai
Technical Committee Member
India
Raju Rai, a paragliding pilot, instructor, and technical advisor from Sikkim, began his flying career in 2008. With international competition experience across Asia and Europe, he founded the Sikkim Paragliding Institute, training youth from across Northeast India. He pioneered “Summit & Paragliding” in Sikkim by flying from Mt. Tinchenkhang (6,000 m) and developed key flying sites in the region. A certified FAI Accuracy Judge, he has been instrumental in gaining national recognition for paragliding in major Indian sports events and contributed to a world record achievement in Ladakh.
Narendra Raman
Technical Committee Member
India
Naren is a veteran from Bangalore, his passion for aviation began in childhood, inspired by his father and brother in the Air Force. He learned microlight flying in the late ’90s, followed by skydiving and paragliding in 2000. Today, he devotes his life to teaching paragliding, hike and fly, camping, cycling, motorcycling and kayaking.
Debu Choudhary
Honorary Technical Advisor
India
He is a champion competition and cross-country pilot, holding multiple Indian records for distance and FAI Triangle. A former India No. 1 and world No. 46, he is also a world-class acro pilot, SIV instructor, tandem pilot, and XC guide, and served as Meet Director for India’s first PWC in 2015.
Ajay Kumar
Honorary Technical Advisor
India
Flying since 1995, he is an accomplished competition pilot, tandem pilot, instructor, and technical advisor for his district aerosports club. Serving as the Chief Instructor at ABVIMAS, he has dedicated decades to advancing paragliding skills, safety, and awareness. His experience spans competitive flying, passenger flights, and training programs, making him a respected figure in India’s airsports community.
Sunith Rao
Honorary Technical Advisor
India
Born into the world of paragliding, Sunith is now an instructor and co-owner at Nirvana Adventures. He specializes in teaching basic courses and also offers cross-country (XC) guiding for aspiring pilots. An avid competition pilot, Sunith has earned a reputation as one of India’s finest, combining technical skill with a passion for the sport to inspire and mentor the next generation of flyers.
Anil Madgavkar
Honorary Technical Advisor
India
A veteran pilot aged 73, he has been flying for over 23 years, logging more than 5,000 hours of free flying, including numerous 100 km+ flights in Bir Billing. He competed in the PAI National Championships in 2015 and 2016, securing 2nd runner-up both times. As Founder President of PAI, he served two terms, organizing events, festivals, and India’s first ratings workshop with BHPA instructors. An accomplished sailor, he won the inaugural National Windsurfing Championship in 1980, earned a bronze at the 1984 Asian Championships, and sailed to Lakshadweep and the Maldives in 2021.