In a significant development for aviation training in Himachal Pradesh, an NCC microlight aircraft successfully landed at Bhuntar airport in Kullu district on Wednesday, marking a crucial step towards establishing local flight training facilities for the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing the culmination of nearly three decades of persistent efforts to create a dedicated flying training hub for NCC cadets in the region. Group Captain Baljinder Singh Gill, Commanding Officer of 4 Punjab Air Squadron (NCC), Ludhiana, and Wing Commander Kunal Sharma, Commanding Officer of 1 HP Air Squadron (NCC), Kullu, piloted the aircraft during this historic flight.
The arrival of the microlight aircraft was the result of overcoming substantial logistical hurdles. Although two two-seater microlight aircraft were initially allocated to the Kullu NCC unit in 2018, their relocation to Bhuntar was prevented by the absence of a proper taxiway. A hangar, constructed by the state government in 2012, had remained largely underutilised for years due to this connectivity issue. Consequently, Himachal’s NCC cadets were compelled to travel to flying training facilities in Patiala and Pinjore, a situation that presented particular challenges for female cadets whose families often expressed reservations about them traveling outside the state.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2022 when the NCC formally approached the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in New Delhi. The AAI subsequently agreed to undertake the construction of the necessary taxi track, with an estimated project cost of Rs 57 lakh, initiating a path towards operationalisation.
Further support for the project materialised in 2023 when the state government sanctioned Rs 50 lakh through the Local Area Development Authority (LADA). This funding was designated for the essential repair and maintenance of the hangar, which had shown signs of deterioration. The Deputy Commissioner of Kullu conducted an inspection of the repair work in March 2024, issuing directives to expedite pending estimates and ensure the project’s progress.
By April 2025, the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, accompanied by Wing Commander Sharma, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the developing facility. At this stage, approximately Rs 1.5 crore had been invested in the project, with an additional Rs 75 lakh earmarked for its eventual completion, underscoring a substantial commitment to the initiative.
The suitability of the airstrip for NCC training operations was further validated in October 2025. Group Captain A Bhardwaj and Wing Commander Sharma executed a successful route reconnaissance and trial landing of an SW 80 Virus microlight aircraft, confirming the feasibility of the location. A critical security inspection by a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) team from the Chandigarh regional directorate was also successfully cleared by the NCC hangar in March 2026, addressing necessary regulatory requirements.
Wing Commander Sharma has been identified as a key figure in the advancement of this project. His consistent coordination with the state Education Department and the Kullu district authorities was instrumental in expediting the long-pending Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AAI, a crucial step that paved the way for the aircraft’s arrival.
The historic landing was witnessed by approximately 50 NCC cadets and officers, who were present in uniform, highlighting the significance of the occasion for the local NCC contingent. The operationalisation of this facility is anticipated to democratise aviation training for the youth of the valley, potentially inspiring greater participation from girl cadets and encouraging students to explore career paths within the Indian Air Force and the broader civil aviation sector.
The successful establishment and operationalisation of the microlight facility at Bhuntar airport represent a testament to sustained institutional cooperation and its vital role in bolstering youth development and aviation training infrastructure within Himachal Pradesh.
The Chenab Times News Desk