At this aerofarm near Hyderabad, microlight aircraft and drones take flight
Retired Indian Air Force officer Squadron Leader PR Singh has transformed his family's abandoned 23-acre mining site in Telangana into a specialized aerodrome known as Singh Aerofarm. The facility now serves as a recreational hub for microlight aviation and a critical testing ground for India's burgeoning drone and UAV startup ecosystem.
Why it matters
The facility addresses a significant infrastructure gap for India's growing drone industry by providing a dedicated, regulated space for startups to test and refine unmanned aerial vehicle designs.
On a breezy Saturday morning, I drove 90 kilometers from Rangareddy to Sangareddy in Telangana to visit Singh Aerofarm, which has been around since 2018 at Mallepally village. Here, I met Squadron Leader PR Singh, a retired Indian Air Force officer and also the owner of the space, ready with two helmets and headsets.
Assuming the tour would involve walking, I had worn my most comfortable workout shoes. Little did I know that I was about to take a tour of the skies.
Squadron Leader PR Singh | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Waiting for us was a microlight aircraft that, simply put, resembled an air glider with two seats. While Singh was visibly excited, my mind was crowded with questions. What happens during turbulence? What if we encounter a cloud? Still, matching his enthusiasm, I said, “Let’s fly first and talk after.”
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