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 his 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 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 all the training sites in Virar for last two years. A regular club pilots almost on every weekends he is always ready to assist and guide new students.

 

Ritesh

Club Pilot

Ritesh is a Yoga teacher who relaxes his body in the air. He understood the importance of ground handling skills quite early and has good control over his glider at takeoff. You will find him airborne in reverse position at takeoff on many occasions. A dedicated family man he misses his Sunday flying to be with his family. You will find him around on the training site encouraging new students with his tips.






 

 

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.

 

Rashmi

 

 

The women 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 joins 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. Along with paragliding he has picked up other sports as well and has become an indispensable team member of Space Apple.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

We also have visiting instructors

Eric and Mangesh who are invited for group training and tandem joyrides.

 

ERIC MENEZES He is the Chief Paragliding Instructor and comes from a thorough aviation background. He has 22 years of experience in flying sailplanes and is a holder of Flight Instructor's Rating for Gliders issued by Civil Aviation Dept., Govt. of India. He started his flying career way back in 1980, has done 4000 flights and logged over 450 hours airtime.

Eric is one of the pioneers in paragliding in India. Having learned paragliding in 1994, he established a paragliding school in Pune. He has successfully trained over 1000 students. Apart from flying Paramotors, he specializes in aerial photography. He believes in safe and  disciplined flying. Eric has an Independent aviation club in Pune.

 

 

MANGESH DIGHE started his paragliding career in the year 1994. He is an experienced instructor in paragliding and one of India's best paramotor pilot. He happens to be a Civil Engineer and has completed his post graduation in Environmental science. He is an expert in cross country flights. Be it paramotoring or paragliding, his graceful takeoffs and landings are inspiring to the audience.  His experience, confidence and stamina make him our preferred choice for tandem pilot during joyride sessions.
 

 

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