Showcasing the Army's spirit of adventure, the Army Adventure Nodal Centre (Hot Air Ballooning) - 3 EME Centre - will now be on a five-day path-breaking hot air ballooning expedition from Sunday across the west-central region of India to draw the attention of eligible youngsters towards the Army as a career full of adventure and excitement.
This expedition is being conducted as part of Southern Command adventure activities under the aegis of Army Adventure Wing (AAW). The expedition, which projects the image of Indian Army as a dedicated service to the nation, is also aimed at promoting adventure sports across the States of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The Army has been at the forefront in sports and adventure activities with its officers and men bringing laurels to the nation.
3 EME Centre at Bhopal is running the Army Adventure Nodal Centre (Hot Air Ballooning) since March 1997. This Node conducts Basic, Intermediate and Instructor Refresher Courses in the field of Ballooning. Besides this, a number of cross-country expeditions have been planned and organised by this Node in the past.
The expedition was flagged off in Rajkot on February 8 and would reach here during its journey of over 800 kms on Sunday. Public demonstrations, tethered flights and free flights will be conducted at places to generate public interest in adventure activities in general and ballooning in particular.
It is not easy to maneuver a balloon as it does not have a steering system. The direction and speed of the balloon is controlled through the flow of air. Take off is relatively smooth compared to landing, which is risky as there is no runway. Besides, at an altitude of 8,000 feet, turbulent air patches are encountered frequently, testing the nerves of fliers.
The team for the expedition being organised under the aegis of the Army Adventure Wing comprises of six experienced balloon pilots and co-pilots drawn from the Army Adventure Nodal Centre (Hot Air Ballooning). It is backed by a skilled ground support crew.