"Am I too heavy?", "Is my daughter old enough?" and "Can my father fly at 68?" are the three questions that arrive on our WhatsApp more than any other. The short answer is that tandem paragliding in Kamshet is open to ages 6 to 70 and weights of 25 to 90 kg, with a little flexibility at the top end depending on the wind.
The longer answer, which is what this guide is for, explains where those numbers come from, what happens if you sit close to a limit, the rules for children and seniors, which health conditions must be declared, and what to tell us when you book so that your drive from Pune, Lonavala or Mumbai ends with a flight rather than a disappointment.
Quick-Reference Table
If you only have a minute, this table answers the four questions we are asked most often on WhatsApp. The rest of the article explains the reasoning behind each number, and what to do if you sit close to one of the edges.
| Limit | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 6 years | Must also weigh at least 25 kg |
| Maximum age | 70 years | Fitness to take a few running steps is the real test |
| Minimum weight | 25 kg | Set by the glider's certified combined weight range |
| Maximum weight | 90 kg (comfortable) | Up to ~95 kg assessed case by case, depending on wind |
| Who needs consent | Under 12 | Parent present at site + parental consent form |
| Who signs a waiver | Everyone | Liability waiver signed before flying; parent signs for minors |
These limits apply to all three of our flights (Joy, Instructional and Acro). The Acro Tandem has an additional suitability filter that has nothing to do with age or weight, which we cover further down.
Why Weight Limits Exist at All
A tandem paraglider is not a one-size-fits-all piece of kit. Every wing is certified for a specific combined weight range, meaning the pilot, the passenger, the harnesses and the reserve parachute all added together. Fly it too light and the wing is sluggish, slow to respond and floats around in a way that makes an accurate landing harder. Fly it too heavy and it flies faster, sinks quicker and asks more of the pilot on a marginal day.
Because our pilot's weight is fixed, the passenger is the variable. That is why the passenger range comes out at roughly 25 to 90 kg: it keeps the total inside the band the manufacturer tested and certified.
Wind changes the maths
Kamshet gives us two very different flying seasons. In the cool months of October to February the morning wind is a smooth 10–15 km/h, which is gentle and forgiving. In March to May the afternoon thermals push the wind to around 20 km/h, which gives longer flights and more lift. A heavier passenger is actually easier to launch and fly in stronger wind, and harder in very light conditions. That is precisely why we say "up to ~95 kg case by case" rather than a hard number: the pilot looks at the passenger, the wind and the take-off site on the day.
Take-off site matters too
We fly from two hills. Tower Hill is higher and is the main tandem site, giving longer flights. Shelar Hill has gentler slopes and is used for first-timers and instructional flying. The site is chosen each day according to wind, and that choice feeds into the pilot's decision about passengers who sit near the upper limit.
Near the Upper Limit? Read This
If you weigh between 90 and 95 kg, please do not simply turn up hoping for the best, and equally please do not rule yourself out. Message us on WhatsApp (+91 76664 53090) with your approximate weight when you book. We will be honest about your chances for the date you have chosen.
- Pick the right season. The stronger afternoon winds of March to May are usually kinder to heavier passengers than the light winter mornings.
- Be flexible on the day. If the morning wind is too light, the pilot may ask you to wait for it to build rather than cancel outright.
- Understand the refund position. If we assess you on site and the pilot decides it is not safe to fly, we treat it like a weather cancellation: you can reschedule or take a full refund of your deposit.
- Above 95 kg we cannot fly you on our current tandem wing. We would rather tell you clearly now than disappoint you after a drive from Pune or Mumbai.
Passengers who have been declared fit to fly at this weight do exactly the same flight as everyone else. The wing is a little faster, the landing is a touch more purposeful, and the pilot will brief you on running out those extra steps.
Children Aged 6 to 12
Kids are some of our happiest passengers, and Kamshet is close enough to Pune (49 km) and Lonavala (16–19 km) to make a family morning of it. There are three rules that apply to children under 12:
- The child must weigh at least 25 kg. This is a hard minimum set by the wing's certification.
- A parent must be present at the site, from briefing through to landing.
- A parent or guardian signs a parental consent form and the liability waiver on the child's behalf.
What a child's flight actually looks like
Children almost always fly the Joy Tandem: 8 to 10 minutes of gentle, scenic flying with the pilot in full control. The pilot spends extra time on the briefing, showing the child the harness, letting them feel the helmet, and practising the "walk, walk, run" take-off on flat ground before going anywhere near the slope. At take-off the pilot does most of the work; the child simply keeps walking forward until their feet leave the ground.
In the air the pilot keeps turns wide and smooth, pointing out Pawna Lake, the forts and the Sahyadri ridges. Landing is a gentle glide onto flat farmland, and the pilot will lift the child clear of the ground in the last moment if they are on the lighter side. GoPro photos and videos are included free, so parents on the ground still get the whole flight.
We do not fly children on the Acro Tandem. Parents can be as calm or as nervous as they like from the landing field; you will be able to see the whole flight from take-off to touchdown.
Teenagers and Young Adults
Teenagers between 12 and 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the consent form and liability waiver, but they do not need a parent standing beside them at every moment. Most teenagers fall comfortably inside the 25–90 kg range and are strong enough to take the few running steps at take-off without any trouble.
This is also the age group that most enjoys the Instructional Tandem. After the pilot handles the take-off, you are handed the brake toggles and steer the glider under direct instruction for a 10–15 minute flight. It is a genuine first lesson, not a gimmick, and several teenagers who have flown it with us later asked about proper training. If a teenager is set on the Acro Tandem, the same motion-sickness and nerves test applies as for adults; see our guide on choosing the right flight.
Seniors: It Is About Fitness, Not Age
Our upper age limit is 70, and seniors up to that age have flown tandem paragliding with us at Kamshet. The number on your birth certificate is far less important than two practical questions:
- Can you take a few running steps down a grassy slope while a pilot inflates the wing behind you?
- Can you stand up or take two or three steps on landing when the pilot tells you to?
If the answer to both is yes, and you have none of the excluded medical conditions, you can fly. The Joy Tandem is the natural choice: the pilot controls everything, the flight is smooth, and the winter morning slot (reporting around 7:00 am) offers the calmest air of the year.
Practical notes for older flyers
- Knee or hip replacements are not an automatic no, but please tell us so the pilot can plan a soft, standing landing.
- Carry your regular medicines and take them as usual; the flight itself is only 8 to 15 minutes long.
- A jeep takes you from the meeting point to the take-off (₹600 one-way, split among passengers), so there is no long uphill walk.
- Wear closed sports shoes with good grip and a light jacket in winter.
Health Conditions and Pregnancy
For safety reasons we do not fly anyone who is pregnant, or who has a severe heart condition, epilepsy, recent surgery or uncontrolled blood pressure. These are not judgement calls we make on the hill; they are firm exclusions.
Everything else, from asthma and diabetes to a healed fracture or mild vertigo, should simply be declared when you book. In most cases the pilot will say yes and adapt the briefing. In a few cases we might steer you from the Acro to the Joy Tandem. The liability waiver you sign before flying includes a medical declaration, so being upfront early saves everyone time.
Pregnancy
We do not fly pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. Take-off and landing involve running steps and a firm harness around the waist and thighs, and even a gentle Joy Tandem has small bumps in the air. If you find out after booking, let us know and we will reschedule for a later date or refund your deposit in full.
Motion sickness
Motion sickness is not a barrier to the Joy or Instructional Tandem. It is a barrier to the Acro Tandem, where spirals, wing-overs and dives produce high G-forces. If you get queasy on hill roads or fairground rides, book Joy and enjoy the view.
Glasses, Braces, Prosthetics and Other Practicalities
- Glasses and contact lenses are fine. Use a spectacle strap so they do not slip at take-off, and expect a little wind in your eyes on the faster Acro flights.
- Dental braces are no problem. Keep your mouth relaxed and closed on take-off and landing.
- Prosthetic limbs are assessed individually. A lower-limb prosthesis that lets you take running steps is generally workable; please tell us in advance so the pilot can plan the take-off site (Shelar Hill's gentler slopes are often preferred) and the landing.
- Hearing aids can be worn under the helmet. The pilot briefs you on the ground and speaks clearly in the air.
- Phones and cameras are not held during the flight. You do not need them anyway: GoPro photos and videos are free and transferred to your phone after landing.
- Clothing: closed sports shoes, long trousers and a full-sleeve top. Add a light jacket for winter mornings. Carry water, sunscreen, a cap and ID proof.
What to Tell Us When Booking, and How Take-Off Works for Nervous Flyers
When you book online, you pay a ₹500 per person deposit by UPI at least a day ahead and settle the balance at the meeting point near Hotel Rangoli Pure Veg on the old Mumbai–Pune highway. In the message or notes, tell us:
- Approximate weight of each flyer (especially anyone under 30 kg or over 85 kg)
- Ages of any children, and confirmation that a parent will be present for under-12s
- Any medical condition, surgery or prosthesis, however minor it seems
- Which flight you want; see our packages if you are undecided
Our team calls you the evening before with your reporting time, and that is a good moment to raise anything you forgot.
For nervous first-timers
Nerves are normal and the pilot expects them. The briefing covers how the harness holds you, how take-off works and exactly what to do on landing. Take-off is simply a few running steps down the slope while the pilot inflates the wing above you; within three or four steps the harness takes your weight and you are sitting. In the air you are seated like an armchair, and the Joy Tandem is a gentle scenic ride of 8 to 10 minutes at a typical 800–1,500 ft above the ground. Landing is a slow glide onto flat farmland; the pilot tells you when to put your legs down and stand or take a couple of steps. The whole visit, from arrival to leaving with your videos, takes about two hours.