The Indian skies and beyond are witnessing an inspiring journey in the world of aero sports, led by none other than Prabhu Sukumar Das, a pioneer in paramotoring and paragliding. Known for introducing paragliding and paramotoring to Telangana through his venture Vertical World Aerosports and Adventure, Sukumar has not only taken Indian aero sports to international platforms but has also become a symbol of passion, perseverance, and patriotism.
A Historic Flight Over the Giza Pyramids
Recently, Sukumar Das captured global attention by flying his paramotor, proudly adorned with the Indian tricolour, over the majestic Giza Pyramids in Egypt. This breathtaking feat followed his earlier historic flight at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil (2022).
Speaking about his mission, Sukumar explains that his vision is not limited to personal milestones. Instead, he seeks to popularize paramotoring and paragliding while demonstrating how aero sports can beautifully connect with tourism, culture, and national pride.
Representing India on the Global Stage
Sukumar has consistently represented India at prestigious international championships. He was one of the four Indian pilots and the only one from South India to participate in the 11th FAI World Paramotor Championship 2022 in Brazil. Earlier, he competed in the 2018 National and Asia Oceanic Championship in Thailand, where the Indian team proudly won a bronze medal.
His rigorous preparation for such global events included training in long-distance flying with limited fuel, precision landings, flying around pylons, and advanced slalom techniques. These skills are vital to competing at the highest levels of the sport.
A Pioneer with Vertical World
Through his company Vertical World Aerosports and Adventure, Sukumar has created a platform that nurtures talent in aero sports. Beyond flying, his innovations include the Spider-Man kit (used for cleaning high-rise building glass façades) and the Building Branding concept (an alternative to traditional hoardings by using skyscraper surfaces for advertisements).
He has also organized several cultural and sports-linked aerial events, including:
- Akasam Lo Bathukamma (for Telangana Formation Day)
- Siddipet Air Show
- Mysore Dasara Air Show
- She Teams Marathon
These initiatives seamlessly integrate culture, tourism, and aerial sports, creating memorable experiences while promoting aero activities across India.
Overcoming Challenges
Like many pioneers, Sukumar’s journey has not been easy. He openly shares that he faced financial difficulties while pursuing international flights and training. To support his passion, he taught freelance classes and saved diligently to represent India abroad.
Born on August 15th, Sukumar’s life reflects the spirit of independence, resilience, and determination that the day represents for the entire nation.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Looking ahead, Sukumar is committed to building a strong aero sports ecosystem in India. His startup, Vertical World, aims to train and inspire young pilots who can one day represent India at global championships.
“I want to serve my nation by training young pilots who can represent India on the global stage,” he says with conviction.
Sukumar has already hosted international pilots in Telangana and now dreams of organizing a World Paramotor Championship in India, provided the right support is extended by stakeholders.
A True Ambassador of Indian Aero Sports
From Thailand and Laos to Egypt, Brazil, Nepal, and across India, Sukumar Das has not only flown with the Indian flag but also carried forward the spirit of Indian adventure, culture, and pride. His story is one of determination against all odds, and his mission continues to inspire a new generation to take to the skies.
As India prepares for its future in global aero sports, pilots like Sukumar Das are ensuring that the tricolour flies higher than ever before.
