Who is Tanaji Takve, also known as TJ?

Tanaji Takve, known as TJ, is the founder and chief flying instructor of Paragliding Mantra. He began paragliding in 1997 and has developed experience across pilot training, cross-country flying, SIV, acro and event leadership.

When did TJ start paragliding?

TJ began paragliding in 1997 on the slopes of Kamshet. His experience figure is calculated from that verified starting year so it updates automatically rather than relying on a manually edited number.

What advanced paragliding disciplines has TJ worked in?

His published journey includes Himalayan cross-country coaching, SIV and acro development, competition activity, event direction and training support for service personnel. Each discipline has different qualifications and operating requirements at Paragliding Mantra in Kamshet.

Can students request training directly with TJ?

You can ask about TJ's availability, but instructor assignments depend on the course level, schedule, group size and operating location. The school may assign another appropriately qualified team member for particular sessions at Paragliding Mantra in Kamshet.

Is Tanaji Takve the founder of Paragliding Mantra?

Yes. Tanaji Takve founded Paragliding Mantra in Kamshet in 2013 and serves as its chief flying instructor. His personal flying journey began earlier, in 1997.

Is TJ a member of the PAI Technical Committee?

Yes. The official Paragliding Association of India team page lists Tanaji Takve on its five-member Technical Committee for the 2025–27 term.

Where can I verify Tanaji Takve's APPI qualifications?

His official APPI professional profile is license 47598. It currently lists APPI Instructor, Pro Tandem, SIV and Acro credentials and identifies Paragliding Mantra as his current school.

What is Tanaji Takve's FlyOPPI licence number?

His FlyOPPI instructor record uses license 10379 and profile 390. On 3 October 2026, the directory displayed 43 instructor profiles and identified him as its only India-based instructor result; use the official directory for the current listing.

Tanaji (TJ) – A True Sky Warrior

Chief Instructor • Acro & SIV Specialist • Founder, Paragliding Mantra

PAI Technical Committee · APPI Instructor 29+ Years Indian Acro Pioneer

Tanaji, widely known as TJ, grew up watching paragliders soar over the hills of Kamshet. Inspired from a young age, he took to the skies early and started paragliding in 1997, when he was just 16 years old. Today, he has over 29 years of paragliding experience.

From Mentoring Indian Army Paragliding Team to being one of India’s few accomplished Acro Pilots and Instructors, TJ has earned national recognition. He’s represented India in paragliding competitions and conducted SIV training globally.

His official PAI committee listing and APPI and FlyOPPI professional records make his current roles and qualifications independently verifiable.

His mission is clear: to inspire youth with discipline, skill, and the freedom to dream through flight.

Our Team WhatsApp

Founder · national technical leadership · verified profiles

Tanaji Takve leads Paragliding Mantra

TJ founded Paragliding Mantra in Kamshet in 2013 and remains its chief flying instructor. His current PAI, APPI and FlyOPPI records are linked below so students and passengers can verify the credentials directly with the issuing organisations.

PAI Technical Committee

Officially listed on the Paragliding Association of India Technical Committee for the 2025–27 term.

Open official record

APPI Professional Profile

APPI Instructor and Pro Tandem, license 47598, with SIV and Acro pilot certifications; affiliated through 5 July 2027.

Open official record

OPPI Instructor Profile

FlyOPPI license 10379 and India's only India-based instructor listing among the directory's 43 profiles, verified 3 October 2026.

Open official record

Credential distinction: APPI profile 47598 and FlyOPPI license 10379 are separate records in separate systems. The APPI record currently shows Instructor, Pro Tandem, SIV and Acro qualifications. The FlyOPPI record lists TJ across paragliding, paramotor and paratrike disciplines.

Legacy & Achievements

Milestones that shaped India’s free‑flight story.

India’s first Infinity Tumbling pilot

A landmark acro achievement that set a new bar for Indian paragliding.

Winner – Pre‑World Cup Accuracy Championship (2018)

Proved precision flying skills on an international stage.

PAI–BHPA & APPI Certified Instructor

Combines global best practices with deep local expertise.

Founder – Paragliding Mantra (2013)

Built India’s premier training and tandem center in Kamshet.

Pioneering Paragliding in India with Paragliding Mantra

Paragliding Mantra, a 5-star-rated APPI-certified paragliding school, has played a pivotal role in transforming Kamshet, Maharashtra into a world-class paragliding destination. The school has trained more than 1,000 pilots, offering top-tier paragliding training coursesand tandem flying experiences for adventure seekers from across the globe.

Guided by visionary leader TJ, whose dedication to safety and skill development has earned him national and international recognition, Paragliding Mantra has proudly represented India in global competitions.

Tanaji Takve’s official APPI professional profile, license 47598, lists him as an APPI Instructor and Pro Tandem pilot, with SIV and Acro pilot certifications. The profile identifies Paragliding Mantra as his current school and shows his APPI affiliation through 5 July 2027.

With a flying journey beginning in 1997, Tanaji combines long practical experience with current professional records. Credentials support training and judgement, but no qualification removes aviation risk; every activity still depends on suitable weather, equipment, site conditions and participant readiness.

Tanaji’s separate FlyOPPI instructor record uses license 10379 and lists 25 certificates across paragliding, paramotor and paratrike disciplines. On 3 October 2026, the FlyOPPI directory displayed 43 instructor profiles and its India listing identified Tanaji as the only India-based instructor result. Because directories change, the official profile and directory links are provided for current verification.

The official Paragliding Association of India team page lists Tanaji Takve as one of five members of its Technical Committee for the 2025–27 term. This is a national technical-governance role distinct from his work as founder and chief instructor of Paragliding Mantra.

A life shaped by flight

Journey to the Skies

From a sixteen-year-old launching on the slopes of Kamshet to mentoring pilots, building flying communities and representing Indian paragliding on larger stages.

1997First flight

12Milestones

1997
First flight
Begins paragliding at age 16 on the slopes of Kamshet.
2000–2003
Big mountains
Explores the Himalayas; flies cross‑country in big mountains.
2003
Sharing knowledge
Leads group flying in Bir Billing; introduces thermalling & XC coaching.
2005
Acro begins
Advanced SIV and acro training in Nepal — the acro journey begins.
2013
Building a school
Founds Paragliding Mantra and starts international training expeditions.
2015
Going global
First trip to Ölüdeniz, Turkey — global acro capital.
2016
Performance
Performs inaugural acro show in Uttarakhand.
2017
A national first
Establishes Bilaspur as a national SIV/Acro site; becomes India’s first Infinity Tumble pilot.
2018
Competition
Wins First Prize in Pre‑World Cup Accuracy Championship.
2019
Event leadership
Serves as Meet Director for Accuracy competition; supports events like Panchgani.
2022–2023
Serving the services
Organizes Inter‑Services XC & Accuracy competitions at Bir Billing for the Indian Army.
2023
Mentoring forward
Appointed Mentor for Uttarakhand Tourism paragliding pilots.