Instructors and Space Apple Team members

Our Team Members

Samson D’silva

Chief Instructor

Virar is the place where paragliding started in 1995 where he picked up his basics. 10 years of working in an organization, respectable post, good salary, furnished accommodation in Mumbai all this could not match satisfaction of flying like a free bird. He ventured into teaching paragliding in 1998 by assisting in other clubs. The excitement and joy on the students face after their first flight was enough to take a decision of starting his own club SPACE APPLE. He also picked up skills as a winch operator and started training using a winch. Paramotoring, power kiting, parasailing, aero modeling are few other skills he developed over a period of time and added these activities to his club. Assisting in an established Aero modeling venture of his school mate came naturally. The enjoyment and satisfaction in making model planes which could glide and soar kept him busy in his free time. It was natural for him to spread this hobby to young generation through aviation workshops. Other activities such as making fabric kites, taking children for treks and camps followed over a period of time. Today with over 10 years of experience in this field he makes sure his students get the best value for their money.

M Johnwin

Dreamer and Motivator

Throughout his school and college life he enjoyed being on the playgrounds than in classrooms. Samson and Johnwin bonded together in college because of sports. Innovative ideas, a dreaming mind, team leadership, influential contacts and concern for people are his admirable qualities. Though Johnwin ventured into various businesses and became successful, his heart was always into sports. When he heard about Samson and his plans of starting an adventure sports club he was more than happy to get involved. He is the true promoter of the club.

Business commitments did not allow him to get into paragliding initially, but the desire was always there. He picked up the basics as and when he could, took his time to master ground handling skills. Today enjoys the company of birds and fellow pilots on weekends

Knowledge of the subject,

Joy in sharing knowledge,

ability to take responsibilities,

Experience, Skill, Maturity

are essential qualities of

an Instructor.

You will find these qualities in

your instructor at

Space Apple

Hiren

Core Team Member

An engineer by profession likes to get involved deeply into anything that interests him. After aeromodelling and astronomy he got interested in paragliding. He is ever willing to collect information and passes it to anyone who expresses his interest. He has been soaring and exploring all the flying sites he can visit. A regular club pilot almost on every weekends he is always ready to assist and guide new students.

Siddarth

Young Achiever

Sam's son

As a child he often accompanied Samson on various adventures trips. At the age of 13 he showed interest in learning paragliding and became one of the youngest people in India to fly on regular basis. He started guiding students for perfecting their landings. It was natural for him to assume the role of instructor even though all students are twice his age.

His academic priorities keep him away from the sport on and off, but he continues to be an inspiration to the students of Space Apple.

Siddartha Dsilva Paragliding Instructor

Rashmi

The woman behind the success of Space Apple. Her first experience of paragliding was in 1997 when she got her first lessons and a solo flight from a bunny hill. Other commitments and priorities had kept her away from the sport. Be it cooking excellent meals for paragliding student or helping in preparing for the workshop she participates whole heartedly. She also stitches parafoil kites using ripstop polyester.

In late 2006 she has returned back to the sport and joined the team on the field as well.

Vasant

Assistant

Vasant has joined as an assistant in 2008. He picked up most of the skills on the field while watching the training sessions. Shy by nature he is quick in winning admiration of students with his ground handling skills and helpful attitude. He enjoys his work and has used this opportunity to master the skills of paragliding. Along with paragliding he has picked up other sports as well and has become an indispensable team member of Space Apple.

Vasant Solanki, Paragliding assistant

We also have visiting instructors and pilots.

Vishal and Ajay are invited for group training and tandem joyrides.

Ajay Singh, coming from an army background he has been associated with aviation adventure sports for over 15 years. He was amongst the first tandem pilots from India to offer joyrides at Panchgani. Apart from his paragliding skills he has also piloted hot air balloons, given joyrides on parasails and helium balloons.

Vishal Gaikwad started his paragliding career in the year 2004. A local of Panchgani Vishal grew up dreaming about flying inspired by the aviation activities in his neighbourhood. He was the first local pilot from Panchgani to learn paragliding with Space Apple and become a tandem pilot.

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Call Us - 9822499281, 9822311459. Land Line - 0250-2586764. email - samsondsilva@gmail.com