A new NCC hangar at Bhuntar airport in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district has been inaugurated to support aviation training, simulator-based learning and flying practice for Air NCC cadets in the state. The facility was constructed at a cost of Rs 75 lakh and was inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday.
The hangar is intended to strengthen aviation-training infrastructure at Bhuntar airport, where the Air NCC flying node and related training activities are being activated. During the inauguration, the aircraft received a water cannon salute as it moved towards the new facility.
NCC cadets displayed static and flyable aircraft models at the event, along with drones designed and developed by them. The demonstrations highlighted their technical work and interest in aviation, according to the report. The facility will provide cadets with opportunities to gain practical knowledge, use aviation simulators and develop flying skills.
Sukhu said the hangar would support the development of skilled pilots and help young people in Himachal Pradesh build leadership qualities and a sense of civic responsibility. He also said that training activities at Bhuntar could encourage youth from the state’s mountainous regions to pursue careers in the Indian Air Force and civil aviation.
The facility is the first dedicated NCC facility of its kind to be established in Kullu since the inception of Air NCC in Himachal Pradesh in 1972. Its location at Bhuntar is significant for the region because the airport serves Kullu and surrounding mountain areas, while also providing the operational setting for aviation-related training.
The new infrastructure combines a physical aircraft facility with simulator-based instruction and practical exposure. For cadets, this creates a training environment that extends beyond classroom learning and model-building. The demonstrations of drones and aircraft models also indicate the range of technical activities being undertaken through the NCC programme.
The inauguration follows the activation of the Air NCC flying node and training activities at Bhuntar Airport. The state government has positioned the facility as an opportunity to widen access to aviation education and training for young people in Himachal Pradesh, particularly those from mountainous parts of the state. The report did not specify the hangar’s operating schedule, the number of cadets it will serve or the timeline for regular flying and simulator sessions.
