The first test jumps in Pokhara was held at Pokhara International Airport (under construction) Chhine Dada in 2010. The flights were conducted by Tara Air’s Pilatus Porter aircraft in which the jumpers leaped from 14,000 feet and made amazing landings. On the First day (1st Nov 2010) Everest Skydive’s main organizer and co-ordinator Mr. Suman Pandey, Wendy Smith and officials from Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation took the leap. On 2nd Nov, three Nepalese skydivers, Phul Bahadur Tamang, Bibek Pandey & Dik Bahadur Khirsina did solo jumps, the first ever solo skydives by Nepali divers.
Pokhara Skydive 2013: The First Promotional Operation
After the test jumps, there was an interim period in Pokhara Skydive for few years. However, it started its first promotional operation in 2013 amidst a huge excitement. The Jump took place in Lauruk, 11 km north from Pokhara Lakeside. In the two days jump (11th and 12th November), a total of 10 jumpers from USA, France, Ecuador, India and Nepal made thrilling plunges while embracing the Annapurnas.
S.N | Full Name | Jump Type | Nationality |
1. | Mr. Abhisek Shrestha | tandem | Nepali |
2. | Dr. Praveennath Ghanta | tandem | Indian |
3. | Dr. Prakash Karuppaswamy | tandem | Indian |
4. | Mr. Gaurav Man Shrestha | tandem | Nepali |
5. | Mr. Paul Henry De Baere (PD) | solo | French |
6. | Mr. Joseph Johnson (tandem master), Ms. Kristin Merritt | tandem | American |
7. | Mr. Jorge Miclos (PD) | solo | Equadorian |
8. | Mr. Dik Bdr Khirsina | solo | Nepali |
9. | Mr. Bibek Pandey | solo | Nepali |
10. | Mr. Phul Bdr Tamang | solo | Nepali |