Govt prepares draft NASP 2022 to promote air sports: Mos Civil Aviation


Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP 2022): The Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen. Dr. V K Singh recently informed Rajya Sabha that the Government has prepared a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP 2022).

Key Points:

  • NASP 2022 has been prepared to promote air sports in the country.
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation had released a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for public feedback.
  • The Government has received the feedback and is now examining the comments on draft National Air Sports Policy.
  • Under the policy, domestic design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment will be promoted in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

About Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP):

  • The main purpose of NASP 2022 is to make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030.
  • The mission is to provide a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable air sports ecosystem in India.
  • It covers sports like aerobatics, aeromodelling, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning, drones, gliding, hang gliding and paragliding; microlighting and paramotoring; skydiving and vintage aircraft.
  • It seeks to leverage India’s huge potential for air sports given its large geographical expanse, diverse topography and fair weather conditions.

Objectives of NASP:

The main objectives of NASP are as follows

  • Promotion of air sports culture in the country
  • Adoption of international best practices in air sports.
  • Development of India as a preferred global hub for air sports.
  • Development of effective governance structure.
  • Enhancement of participation of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events.
  • Promotion of design, development and manufacturing of air sports equipment in India.

Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI):

  • An Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) will be established as the apex governing body.
  • Associations for each air sport will handle day to day activities e.g. Paragliding Association of India or Skydiving Association of India etc.
  • The air sports associations shall be accountable to ASFI with respect to the regulatory oversight and for providing safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable conduct of their respective air sport.
  • It will represent India at FAI and other global platforms related to air sports.
  • All competitions in India will be conducted as per the guidelines laid down by FAI.
  • Greater participation and success of Indian sportspersons in global air sports events will be facilitated.

About FAI:

  • The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is the world governing body for air sports. 
  • It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Penal Action:

  • Air sports by their very nature involve a higher level of risk than flying a regular aircraft and NASP 2022 places strong focus on ensuring international best practices in safety.
  • Therefore, ASFI will take penal action in form of financial penalties, dismissal or suspension, against air sports association, in case they are not able to enforce safety standards.

Funding:

  • Long-term funding for the development of air sports in India shall come from sponsors, corporate investors, membership fees, events and media rights.
  • ASFI can also seek financial support from the Government of India (GoI) for the promotion of air sports, especially in the initial years.

GST on Air Sports equipment:

  • To make air sports affordable to the common public, the GoI will request the GST Council to consider rationalizing the GST rate on-air sports equipment to 5% or less.

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