Indian Army eyes non-stop hang gliding word record

In a bid to set a world record, an artillery team of the Indian Army will undertake an adventurous hang gliding expedition to cover a distance of 350 kms non-stop from Bikaner to Sanderao in Rajasthan.

The expedition, by an artillery team led by Colonel Sanjeev Jarial, would travel from Sriganganagar to Udaipur, crossing Bikaner and Jodhpur enroute.

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"The total distance to be covered under the expedition is approximately 700 kms over a period of three days. The expedition will be flagged-off from Sriganganagar on February 16," defence spokesperson S D Goswami said on Tuesday.

A total of 10 gliders will fly their hang gliders with a special harness that has a 120 cc, 15 HP motor and a carbon-graphite propeller attached to it.

"The team will attempt to set a world record by covering the distance of 350 kms non-stop from Bikaner to Sanderao (Pali) on February 17. The current un-validated record stands at 325 kms. The expedition will be flagged-in at Udaipur on February 18," he said.

The expedition, which is being conducted by the Army Adventure Nodal centre (Hang Gliding) based at the school of Artillery-Devlali (Nagpur), is aimed at inspiring youths and students to join the Armed forces and giving a wide exposure to the distinctive sport of Hang-gliding, he added.

The team includes Major Raman Mishra, Naib Subedar Paramjit Singh, Havaldar Mangal Debbarma, Naik Gurmeet Singh, Naik A K Singh, Naik Ravinder, Lance Naik A Selvam, Lance Naik Sanjeev Kumar and Gunner P K Pradhan.