President likely to fly in Su-30 MKI

Following the footsteps of her predecessor, President Pratibha Patil is likely to fly in an Indian Air Force frontline fighter Su-30 MKI at its home-base in Lohegaon in Pune next month.

Following the footsteps of her predecessor, President Pratibha Patil is likely to fly in an Indian Air Force frontline fighter Su-30 MKI at its home-base in Lohegaon in Pune next month.

HT Image

"The President is expected to fly in the Su-30 MKI on November 25," IAF officials told PTI.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam had also flown in a Su-30 MKI from the same airbase in June 2006. Kalam was airborne for over 20 minutes in the aircraft belonging to the 20 squadron.

Before the flight, officials said, the 74-year old President will have to undergo medical check ups and would be allowed to fly only if she is found fully fit.

If this feat is achieved, Patil will join a small group of women including aviation doctors to have flown in a fighter aircraft.

Earlier, George Fernandes as Defence Minister had also flown in a MiG-21 aircraft at the time when the aircraft were crashing in large numbers and was labelled 'flying coffins'.