MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DRAFT NATIONAL AIR SPORTS GUIDELINES 2023

(NASG 2023)
 NATIONAL AIR SPORTS GUIDELINES 2023

1. Introduction

a) Air sports, encompasses various sports activities i n v o l v i n g t h e m e d i u m o f

a i r . T h e s e i n c l u d e s p o r t s l i k e a i r - r a c i n g , aerobatics, aeromodelling,

hang gliding, paragliding, paramotoring and skydiving etc.

b) India has the potential to be among the leading nations in the world of air

sports. It has a large geographical expanse, diverse topography and fair

weather conditions. It has a growing culture for adventure sports and

aviation.

c) Other than the direct revenue from air sports activities, the multiplier

benefits in terms of growth of travel, tourism, infrastructure and local

employ ment, especially in hilly areas of the country, are several times

greater. Creation of air sports hubs across the country will also bring in air

sports professionals and tourists from across the world.

d) The Government of India plans to promote the country’s air sports sector, b y

way of making it safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and

sustainable. Systems and processes need to be simplified and made more

transparent; focus on quality, safety and security needs to be enhanced; and

investments in infrastructure, technology, training and awareness building

need to be facilitated.

e) The National Air Sports Guidelines (NASG) 2023, is a step in this direction.

It has been drafted on the basis of the inputs received from guidelines

makers, air sports practition ers and p ublic at larg e. I t is an evo lving

docu men t and will be modified from time to time.

The key objectives of NASG 2023 include the following:

a) Promote an air sports culture in the country

b ) Enable ad option of in ternatio nal goo d practices in saf ety includ ing but

not limited to, air sports infrastructure, equipment, operations,

maintenance and training

c ) Develop a simple, stakeholder-friendly and effective governance structure

d ) Enhance participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air

sports events; and

e ) Promote design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment

in Ind ia in lin e with the A tmanirbhar Bharat Ab hiy an.

3. Coverage

The coverage of NASG 2023 will include the following air sports:

a) Aerobatics

b ) Aeromodelling and model rocketry

c) Amateur-built and experimental aircraft

d) Ballooning

e) Drones

f) Gliding and powered gliding

g) Hang gliding and powered hang gliding

h ) Parachuting (including skydiving, BASE 1 jumping and wingsuits etc.)

i ) Paragliding and paramotoring (including powered parachute trikes etc.)

j ) Powered aircraft (including ultralight, microlight and light sports aircraft

etc.); and

k) Rotorcraft (including autogyro).

Earth (cliffs)’.

The list of air sports may be modified from time to time, as may be deemed

necessary. The coverage of NASG 2023 will include vintage aircraft in each air sport, where

applicable.

4. Governance Structure

There will be a governance structure for air sports in India through Aero

Club of India (ACI)- National Airsports Control (NAC) India, the apex body for

air sports in India affiliated to Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).

(i) Aero Club of India (ACI)- NAC India

(ii) National Commissions for individual air sports or a set of air

sports, as appropriate.

(iii) Regional (e.g. West/ South/ North East etc.) Commissions for the

individual air sports or a set of air sports, as appropriate; and

(iv) State Commissions for the individual air sports or a set of air

sports, as appropriate. An illustration of the governance structure

is as shown below. Names of organisations are indicative and for

illustration purposes only.

STATE
REGIONAL COMMISSION
Paragliding COMMISSION STATE
COMMISSION REGIONAL COMMISSION
Skydiving COMMISSION STATE
ACI COMMISSION REGIONAL COMMISSION
NAC‐ Aeromodeling COMMISSION STATE
INDIA COMMISSION REGIONAL COMMISSION
Other air sports COMMISSION
COMMISSION
 National Commissions
Aeromodelling
Amateur-built and
experimental aircraft
Aero Cub of India
Ballooning
ACI- NAC
Drones
Regional
General Aviation Commissions State
Gliding Commissions
Mircolight and Para
motors
Parachitng
Para Gliding nad Hang
Gliding
Rotorcraft

ACI- (NAC) may permit a Commission to administer more than one air sport,

as deemed appropriate. ACI may gradually reorganise such Commission into two

or more Commissions if the geographical reach, followership, technical complexity

and administrative challenges of the concerned air sports require so.

5. Aero Club of India (ACI)- National Airsport Control (NAC)

(i) ACI - (NAC India) shall be an autonomous body accountable to Air Sports
Federation of India (ASFI) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of
India.
(ii) ACI - (NAC India) will represent India at FAI and other global platforms
related to air sports.

(iii) ACI - (NAC India) shall provide governance over all aspects of air sports

including but not limited to, regulation, certification, competitions, awards and penalties.

It shall conduct promotional events and competitions across the country through the

different national Air Sports Commissions.

(iv) ACI - (NAC INDIA) Governing Council will have representatives from each

National Air sports Commission in alignment and harmonization with the FAI structure.

(v) The Governing Council of ACI - (NAC India) will meet at least three times in

a year. Meetings on urgent matters may be convened by the ACI - (NAC India) President.
6. Structure of the Council of ACI- (NAC INDIA)

The Management of the affairs of the ACI (including the management of property,

funds and personnel) shall be vested in a Council comprising of: -

a) One member each elected from amongst each air sports Member category of

ACI-NAC India (Commissions) to represent each of the National Air Sports

Commissions and one member elected from amongst ACI Member Flying

Clubs (Flying Training Organisation - FTO), as notified by ACI-NAC India

Council from time to time, who will have 10 votes each in any meeting of

ACI council.

b) Nominees from Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India,

from amongst eminent air sports person or an officer/officers of MoCA, as

nominated by MoCA up to a maximum of three. (Nominees of MoCA shall

have 10 votes each in any meeting of ACI council).

c) Nominee from Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYS), Government of

India (Nominee of MoYS shall have 10 votes in any meeting of ACI council).

d) Nominee from Ministry of Tourism & Culture (MoTC), Government of India

(Nominee of MoTC shall have 10 votes in any meeting of ACI council).

e) Members elected by a General Meeting from amongst Ordinary Members of

the ACI, limited to not more than ten, with equal distribution to all air sports

disciplines.

f) The President and the Vice President shall be elected in a meeting of the

Council from amongst the above elected members of ACI Council. However,

the nominated members of the council shall not vote for the election of

President and Vice-President of the ACI council.

g) The strength of ACI Council, therefore, shall be of a total of 26 members.

Separate National Commissions of the various air sports, as mentioned

below, shall be elected by the ACI members under the respective air sports

membership category. The following National Airsports Commissions shall be

the members of ACI:-

i. ACI Aeromodelling Membership

ii. ACI Amateur Built and Experimental Aircraft Membership

iii. ACI Ballooning Membership

iv. ACI Drones Membership

v. ACI General Aviation Membership

vi. ACI Gliding Membership

vii. ACI Microlights and Para motors Membership

viii. ACI Parachuting Membership

ix. ACI Paragliding & Hang-Gliding Membership

x. ACI Rotorcraft Membership

a) The National Air Sports Commissions shall be accountable to ACI - (NAC

India) for ensuring safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable

conduct of their respective air sports.

b) Members of each National Air Sports Commission will elect their

Commissioner and respective Assistant Commissioners as per their

respective MoA and AoA. The Commissioners elected shall represent their

respective Air Sport in the ACI Council.

c) Similar guidelines and procedures shall be followed for Regional and States

Commissions.

d) The responsibilities of the National Air Sports Commissions shall be as

stipulated and harmonized by the general and sporting Commissions

ACI - (NAC India) shall be an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil

Aviation, which would regulate, control, coordinate, execute and conduct the air

sports across the country.

All the air sports activities in the country shall be subject to oversight by

MoCA through the Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI).

9. Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI)

ASFI shall be a body housed and chaired in the Ministry of Civil Aviation

(MoCA). The constitution of ASFI shall be:-

i. Secretary (Civil Aviation)- Chairman

ii. Concerned SEA/Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary- Member

iii. Representative of Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and

Sports- Member

iv. Representative of Ministry of Tourism- Member

v. Representative of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)- Member

vi. ACI president- Member

vii. Any other person(s)/organisation(s) as deemed appropriate by the Chairman

10. Financial sustainability

T h e lo n g t er m f u n d i n g f o r d ev el o p men t o f a i r s p o r t s i n I n d i a s h a l l

c o m e f r o m c o r p o r a t e i n v e s t o r s , s p o n s o r s , membership fees, events and

media rights.
 The Central/State government/ASFI may provide may provide financial

support for promotion of air sports. The funding received will be used only

for such purposes, as for which it was approved.

11. Collaboration with States and UTs

The State Governments and Union Territories will endeavour to develop

the necessary infrastructure and facilitate promotion of air sports and touris m.

This may include development of new air sports centres, construction of new

runway s or repairing existing ones, develop ment of new launch pads and

landing pads; and financial support for events and training etc. ASFI and the

National Air Sports Commissions will provide techno-commercial expertise to

the State Governments and Union Territories’ Administrations, as may be

required.

12. Collaboration with armed forces

The armed forces of India, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and

various s t a t e p o l i c e f o r c e s h a v e e x c e l l e n t t r a i n i n g f a c i l i t i e s , e q u i p m e n t

a n d in s t r u c to r s f o r a ir s p o rt s . A S F I w il l e n g a g e w i th th e M in istr y of

D ef en c e, Ministry of Home Affairs and State police forces to explore

opportunities for extending their facilities to the public on a reasonable fee

basis; without c o m p r o m i s i n g o n q u a l i t y , s a f e t y , n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y a n d

o p e r a t i o n a l requirements of the forces.

13. Global best practices

All air s p o r t s co mp et i t io n s in I n d ia w il l b e co n d u c te d a s p e r th e g u i d el in es

lai d down by FAI, where applicable.

a) Air sports by their very nature involve a higher level of risk than flying a

regular aircraft. They also provide a ground for new aviation technologies

and safety procedures.

b) E ac h A i r S p o r t s Commission s h all l ay d o w n th e s a f e ty s ta n d a r d s f o r

equipment, infrastructure, personnel and training etc. as per global best

practices for its air sport. It shall specify the disciplinary actions to be

taken in case of deviations and willful non-compliance.

c) No person or entity involved in air sports shall violate the right of way

of a civil or military aircraft.

d) N o lat er th a n f o r ty - e ig h t h o ur s af te r an a c cid e n t in vo l v i n g air s p o r ts

activity takes place, the person involved or an associated person, shall

report the accident to the concerned Air Sports Commission in writing,

along with a copy to the ASFI. Failure to do so may lead to penal action.

e) Inability to enforce adequate safety standards by an Air Sports Commission

may lead to penal action by the ASFI against such Commission including

financial penalties, suspension or dismissal.

15. Registration

a) All persons and entities engaged in air sports or providing services related to

air sports shall be required to register as members of the respective Air Sports

Commissions.

b) Key equipment used for air sports shall be registered with the respective

Air Sports Commission, till such equipment is decommissioned, damaged

beyond repair or lost. The Air Sports Commissions shall be responsible for
 ensuring safe and hazard-free disposal of decommissioned equipment by its

members.

c) A person may transfer an air sports equipment to another person by way of

sale, lease, gift or any other mode, after providing requisite details of the

transferor, transferee and the registration number to the concerned Air

Sports Commission.

1 6 . F ligh t p e rm is s i o n s

a) Air sports activities shall be conducted in coordination with the Air Traffic

Control (ATC) authority responsible for the provision of Air Traffic Services

in the respective airspace, as it might conflict with other manned and

un manned aircraft operations.

b) The govern ment envisages promotion of air sports activities. To this end,

the Air Traffic Services of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) shall

endeavor to and implement procedures for air sports in the flexible use

of airspace ordinarily. Most of the air sports would be conducted below

10000 feet in controlled/uncontrolled airspace. Any deviation fro m th e

notified airspace shall be coordinated with res pective ATC as standard

mechanism. Local arrangements with ATCs will be encouraged so that

both the sportspers ons and the ATC have a seamless coordination to

encourage the growth of activities in a sy mbiotic environment with the

general air traffic. Non-govern ment, private air sports aerodrome shall

be promoted.

c) Air sports operators shall coordinate with ATC for filing flight plans and

obtaining necessary clearances from the respective ATC authority and the Air

Defence Clearance (ADC) from Indian Air Force (IAF), at least 24 hours in

a d v a n c e . F o r r ecu r r i ng ai r s p o r t s o p er a tion s in a n a r e a, A T C may require

p r o c e d u r e s t o e n s u r e c o m p l i a n c e w i t h A T C a n d A D C requirements.

d) Air Sports Associations may apply to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for

establishing ‘Segregated Airspaces’ in areas of frequent or seasonal air

sports op erations. Such Segreg ated Airsp aces f or air sp orts may b e

approved after careful analysis of national security and safety aspects. The

details of such Segregated Airspaces would be published in the AIP India.

This would facilitate hassle-free air sports operations in these S eg r eg ate d

A i r s p ac es w i th mi n i ma l o r n o p er mis s i o ns r e q ui r ed f r o m concerned

authorities.

17. International visitors

a) Air sports are particularly popular in Europe followed by North America

and Australia. During peak winters, the level of air sports activity reduces

in Europe and enthusiasts move to other countries. .

b) ACI- (NAC INDIA) and the Air Sports Commissions will work towards

developing a hassle-free process to enable their movement to India. This

will enable Indian air s p o r t s e n t h u s i a s t s t o l e a r n f r o m t h e e x p e r i e n c e

of the visiting professionals, get exposed to global best practices

a n d c r e a t e opportunities to host global competitions in India.

18. Education

a) The youth of India represent the future of air sports. Programs aimed at

raising interest in air sports will be encouraged. Schools, colleges and

universities will be encouraged to have air sports included in their

curriculum. Students will be encouraged to participate in domestic and

international competitions conducted periodically for children in different

age categories.

b) S u p p o r t m a y b e p r o v i d e d f o r b o o s t i n g i n n o v a t i o n , r e s e a r c h a n d

entrepreneurship in air sports via targeted programs.

a) Where, after giving an opportunity of being heard, the Chairperson of ASFI

or the President of an Air Sports Commission, is satisfied that a person or

entity has contravened or failed to comply with the provisions of these

rules, he may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, levy a penalty not

exceeding rupees fifty thousand for every such instance.

b) It shall be a defence to any proceeding for contravention of, or failure to

comply with these guidelines, if such contravention or failure is proved to

have been caused due to factors or circumstances, such as stress of weather

or other unavoidable circumstances, beyond the control of such person or

without his knowledge or fault.

20. Self-Regulated Organisation

ACI shall be responsible to regulate its own members through the adoption and

enforcement of rules of conduct for fair, ethical, and efficient practices. It shall prepare

model by laws for adoption by the member Commissions.

21. Obstruction of authorised persons

No person shall voluntarily obstruct any person acting in the exercise of

his powers or in the discharge of his duties under these guidelines.

22. Cancellation or suspension

Where the President of ACI- (NAC INDIA) or the Commissioner of an Air

Sports Commission, after giving an opportunity of being heard, is satisfied that

a person or entity h as co n tr av e ned or f ai led to co mp ly w ith th e p rovisions of

th es e g u id elin es , h e may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, cancel or

suspend any licence, certificate, authorisation or approval granted under these

guidelines.
23. Power to amend

Notwithstanding any thing contained in the foregoing paras, the

Ministry of Civil Aviation through Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI),

may amend/issue fresh guidelines from time to time.

T h e e x is t i n g p o li c i e s / g u i de l i ne s /r eg u l a ti o n s r e l at ed t o a i r s p o r ts , if

an y , s h all automatically stand superseded by NASG 2023, with effect from the

date of approval of these guidelines.

24. Dispute Resolution

ACI shall endeavor to carry out its functioning while upholding the

interest of development of aero sports activities. In case, the Air sports

Commissions are faced by discrimination, dispute or any other matter including

but not limited to administrative, technical and financial matters, they may place

the issue(s) before ACI council. However, if unresolved, the entity can approach

ASFI (MoCA) for appropriate resolution.

25. Saving of certain orders

Nothing in these guidelines shall limit or otherwise affect the power of the

Central Government with regard to any order issued in the interest of public

safety or for safe operation of all manned or unmanned aircraft/ air sports

equipment.

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