Shelar (Kamshet)

Named after the local farmer and site keeper, Shelar, this is by far the most popular and consistent site in the area. Perched on a ledge only 80m above the LZ and backed by towering basalt cliffs, the site’s potential can easily be overlooked.

The L shaped, 1 km long ridge scoops wind and thermals to create a reliable lift band that will easily carry you 200-600m above launch. 40m to the north of the main launch, there’s a NW facing launch. This launch is somewhat grabby so make sure your lines are clear before inflating.

Flights of two hours or more are not unheard of for novice pilots. The lift can be found 1/2 km or more out. Late in the evening, the brown fields (dry rice paddies) release the day’s heat and the air is bouyant everwhere (restitution). On full moon nights, it is possible to soar into the night.

On a normal day, pilots turn right after launch to catch lift over a dry waterfall just beyond the tree below launch. With 100m above launch, you turn left (south) and fly 500m downwind to the house thermal located outside the corner where the main ridge and a perpedicular spine meet (L). This is where the most consistent lift is found. It is advised to monitor your penetration regularly to make sure you are clear of the compression area and not in danger of drifting over the back.

Vultures nested in the cliffs towering above take off, a cows medicine took them away, but every year we hope for a new pair of vultures to settle. How lovely to fly with them in the same lift.

The LZ area is open. There are no power lines. Despite the strong wind aloft, it’s common to encounter a considerable wind gradient late in the evening. The ‘designated’ LZ , just in front of launch, is down-sloping. So better catch the flat field, that can be found 150m to the south. Pros hit the spot on the inner circle. In the evenings you might want to fly out and land close to the parking area.

The kids from the local village are happy to carry your glider up the hill for some Rupies. The same tip goes for carrying a glider to/from the car to the LZ or for packing a glider. The payment is done at the end of the day prior to leaving the site. It supports their school education, so do not be too stingy, but also do not give too much.

XC...It is possible, but a little tricky to go above a certain height. Once you got that height, it is just going higher. Best chances are on the left side of take off almost at the end of the ridge. If you want to fly XC you might think of choosing Tower Hill for take off or better go to Panchgani and visit Andre at Eco Camp.

XC in Kamshet is limited, because the commercial aircraft from Mumbai to Pune pass very low over Shelar and Tower Hill. So staying below 1800 m MSL is good for health and general aviation. Still you can have nice flights, but you loose out on more than 1000 additional meters of height. Once you made it further south you can expect heights of more than 4000 meters between Feb and May.

The Shelar site is used by local schools and can be crowded on weekends. For the same reason, this is the best time to enter the local flying scene if you have just arrived.

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