"Capt. Kshetrimayum Imochaoba Singh"
Senior Hot Air Balloonist, Instructor, Examiner and Glider Instructor.
India got its first Hot Air Balloon Pilot, Captain Imochaoba Singh, in the year 1997 who came from an NCC background where he began his flying career around three decades ago to become a Professional Hot Air Balloon Instructor. His journey has been nothing short of an Inspiration. He has set a benchmark in his field by having flown more than 5000 flight launches.
After getting the First FIR (Flight Instructor Rating) license issued by DGCA, India as Hot Air Balloon Pilot, he raised his capability to soon become the first & only instructor in the Country. Also, he is most qualified Professional in the Country (See below Professional qualification):
Capt. Kshetrimayum Imochaoba Singh
Professional Qualification :
Hot Air Balloon Instructor, FIR no. 01 issued by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and also only FIR folder balloon instructor in India.
Pilot license Balloon no. 06 issued by DGCA.
One-time examiner for Hot Air Balloon of DGCA (India).
Flight Radio Operator's license no. 5647 issued by DGCA.
Pilot License Glider no. 858 issued by DGCA.
Glider Instructor, FIR no. 103 issued by DGCA.
Authorization for Glider Instructor/examiner issued by DGCA.
Federation Aeronautique International Sporting license holder (Glider and Balloon).
Trained in flight inspection of Glider from Gliding Centre, Pune DGCA.
Trained in Flight Inspection and repairing of Hot Air Balloon from Ultra Magic Balloons, Spain.
Trained in Maintenance and repairing of Hot Air Balloon from Cameron Balloon Ltd. Bristol, UK
Currently, he is acting as the Technical Expert/Advisor on Aero Sports Base in Damdama Lake, Faridabad, Tourism Dept. of Govt. of Haryana.
In his illustrious career, he has flown with several Chief Ministers; the most recent one was with Shri. Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana, on 12th March at Haryana Aero Sports Carnival near Damdama Lake.
He spearheaded mighty balloon rides catapulting his career to an all-time high, with Shivaraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh CM & Omar Abdullah, Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, at a Tour Operator's Meet in Bhopal.
Captain Imochaoba has also flown with Shri. Sharad Yadav, Civil Aviation Minister, Captain Satish Sharma, Oil & Petroleum Minister & Shri. V Gangil, I & B Minister at International Balloon Mela in Delhi.
He has also taken International Dignitaries for Hot Air Balloon rides like the Governor of Taitung, Taiwan in 2011 and Mr Luis, Consulate of Columbia in India in 2001-02.
At several Balloon Melas & Events, he has also streamlined balloon flights with the Chief of Naval Staff in 2004, Principal Secretary of Tourism in 2010-11, Tourism Minister and Director of Karnataka in 2012, and Minister of Transport Tamil Nadu.
Under his tutelage, he has also helped many aspirants and shaped their careers who are now working with various airlines and the Indian Air Force. He had also given special training to several Indian Navy and Army Defense personnel and civilians.
He has shown his exceptional talent and flying skills at several popular International Hot Air Balloon festivals that including National Air Show, Sri Lanka (2006), 1st Pattaya International Balloon Festival, Thailand (2007), Sri Lanka International Balloon Festival, Sri Lanka (2008), World Aerobatic Air Show in Al Lin, UAE (2008) to name a few.
Capt. Imochaoba has earned nationwide recognition for his enthusiastic participation and splendor of oozing talent at the International Balloon Melas held in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer, North-East Balloon Safari at Gangtok, Guwahati, Itanagar, Kohima, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl and Shillong etc.
Apart from his professional career, Captain Imochaoba has also featured in many films, documentaries, and programmes for National Geographic Channel and BBC and shot for hot air flying sequences.
Captain has also flown for corporate companies like ITC and Classic Golf Resort at Gurgaon, Sahara Group in Sahara City, Lucknow, Sahara Amby Valley, Lonavala, Tupperware, DLF Gurgaon Standard Chartered Bank, Jodhpur, Johnson and Johnson Limited, Jodhpur, Airtel at Noida, Etisalat at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Lin, UAE, DIFC (Dubai International Finance Corporation) at Pattaya, Thailand, Radio Mirchi at Chennai, ETA Star at Dubai, UAE and ETA Star at Chennai.
Capt. Imochaoba is also a recipient of Delhi Ratna by Bharat Manch on 24 April 2022 at the Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, held recently.
His vast experience has also served his expertise to Indian Army & Navy, by training Hot Air Balloon Pilots. He wants every Indian to Experience the Quietness of Nature while in the air, for which he is having extensive round of meetings to create a platform for Aero sports Events in India, too.
We are hopeful, that very soon we all too can fly with him, under his guidance and experience the Quietness of Sky, as he describes.