rediff.com
rediff.com
News
      HOME | NEWS | REPORT
January 4, 2001

NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES
SEARCH REDIFF



Rediff Shopping
Shop & gift from thousands of products!
  Books     Music    
  Apparel   Jewellery
  Flowers   More..     

Safe Shopping

 Search the Internet
           Tips
E-Mail this report to a friend
Print this page

'It was like piloting any other plane'

It was a memorable day for Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal who piloted the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft on its maiden flight at the HAL airport Thursday morning.

In a chat with newpersons, the test pilot said ''I was little apprehensive. But once I got strapped on, I carried out the pre-flight checks and it was like piloting any other aircraft,'' he said.

Wing Cdr Kothiyal took off at the airport in the presence of Defence Minister George Fernandes, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister Vasudev Atre, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tipnis, Scientific Advisor to Union Government Abdul Kalam and a host of top defence officials.

He made a perfect landing after an 18 minute flight which put India on the international map for development of fighter aircraft.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Thursday congratulated the scientists and others involved in the building of the LCA.

This was disclosed by Defence Minister George Fernandes at a meeting of scientists involved in the project. ''When I wanted to telephone the prime minister soon after the aircraft took off, some officials told me to wait for touch down. After the aircraft landed smoothly, I informed the prime minister and he conveyed his greetings and congratulations to everyone who was involved in the mission,'' he added.

UNI

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report

HOME | NEWS | CRICKET | MONEY | SPORTS | MOVIES | CHAT | BROADBAND | TRAVEL
ASTROLOGY | NEWSLINKS | BOOK SHOP | MUSIC SHOP | GIFT SHOP | HOTEL BOOKINGS
AIR/RAIL | WEDDING | ROMANCE | WEATHER | WOMEN | E-CARDS | SEARCH
HOMEPAGES | FREE MESSENGER | FREE EMAIL | CONTESTS | FEEDBACK