Flying and Gliding

Since ancient times, humans have gazed with longing at the freedom of birds soaring in the sky, yearning to join them in their celestial dance. Today, humanity has not only mastered flight but has traversed the boundaries of space, setting foot on the moon. As we explore the vast expanse of the universe and witness the transformation of the impossible into reality, the painstaking efforts of early pioneers to turn dreams into achievements illuminate the annals of human history.

In this epic tale of human endeavor, the journey of flight began with ballooning, followed by gliding, and eventually culminating in powered flight. The history of gliding is adorned with the triumphs of visionaries from various corners of the globe. British pioneers like Cayley, Henson, and Stringfellow conducted theoretical studies and model flight experiments, paving the way for subsequent advancements in gliding. Figures such as Otto and Gustav Lilienthal, La Bris, Langley, Chanute, and the Wright brothers etched their names into the skies with their contributions to gliding history.

In India, the seeds of gliding were sown by Appasaheb B. Pant and a group of enthusiasts who established a Gliding Club in 1928 in Aundh, Maharashtra. Inspired by designs from abroad, they crafted their own gliders and achieved numerous successful flights, giving birth to the Indian Gliding Association in 1929. The momentum of gliding in India was further propelled by Fardun H. Irani, who became the first Indian to qualify for the International Silver ‘C’ in 1938.

From its humble beginnings near Pune in Maharashtra in 1929, gliding activities have proliferated to sixteen centers and clubs across the country. Today, advanced gliders of Indian design and manufacture cater to the needs of civil gliding clubs and the Air Wing of the National Cadet Corps, thanks to the efforts of the Research & Development Wing of the Indian Civil Aviation Department.

The Wright Brothers etched their names in history with the first powered flight on December 17, 1903. In India, the allure of flight captured the imagination of the masses during an exhibition in Allahabad in February 1911, highlighted by joy rides offered by French aviator Henri Piquet. The establishment of the Aero Club of India in 1928 marked a turning point, laying the groundwork for civil and sports aviation in the country.

Among the Indian trailblazers, J.R.D. Tata was the first to receive the Aviator’s Certificate from the Aero Club of India and Burma in February 1929. The passion for flight was further ignited when 17-year-old Aspy Engineer won the prestigious Aga Khan Prize in 1930 for flying solo between India and England.

Over the past five decades, flying clubs, numbering around 25 in the country, have played a pivotal role, providing training for commercial and Air Force pilots and even facilitating mail delivery. Today, these clubs and gliding centers promote not only flying and gliding but also other exhilarating aerosports like ballooning and parachuting.

The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to commemorate the flying and gliding movement in India through the issuance of a special postage stamp, paying tribute to the indomitable spirit of human flight.