Brief your journey from becoming a service man to a hobby flyer. How did you get introduced to the world of Micro-light flying?
Hi, I am Capt. Viraf G Edulji, a retired Ship Captain/Master Mariner from the Merchant Navy and have taken to hobby flying since over a decade. Now, one may reasonably wonder why and how was I attracted to flying? The story begins at a beach in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1987, where my ship’s officers and I had decided to go for a picnic. During the time spent at the beach, a two seat powered hang glider landed on the beach and the pilot, who was barefoot and only wearing swimming trunks offered me a joyride for 10 dollars. Taking up the offer, I was soon airborne over Rio’s famous sites like the statue of Christ and Sugarloaf Mountain. It was such a thrill to be in this tiny, totally open, windowless little aircraft, that I decided there and then that some day, I too would own and fly a similar machine.
Can you brief us about the process of buying Microlights in India? How to get Pilot License on Microlights?
I did a little research and found out that such aircraft were produced in Bangalore and could be bought. The hurdle those days was getting a security clearance from DGCA/ MHA, which was a slow process and took me almost a year. Without this document, it was not legal for the manufacturer “Albatross Flying Systems” to sell me a Microlight, nor for me to own/operate one. Having overcome this hurdle with the help of Mr. Javad Hassan, the owner of Albatross Flying Systems, I finally placed an order and was handed over my dream machine.
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Aviation Update.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Aviation Update.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Future Cultural Challenges for Airlines And Airports
Introduction Assuming we are all alike is one of the greatest mistakes we human beings are making all the time. Another mistake we constantly make is to assume that our way of doing things is the only right way. So when people do things differently e.g. how people queue up or what we ascribe status to we try to educate them to do or see it our way. This is usually not well received and a conflict starts.
Boosting the growth of MRO Industry
Dr. Praveen Srivastava, Founder & CEO - AeroChamp, in conversation with our Special Editor Rohith Reddy on the reforms needed in the industry
MoD issues RFP for construction of six P-75(I) submarines for Indian Navy
As a major initiative towards ‘Make in India’, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued Request of Proposal (RFP) for the first acquisition programme under the Strategic Partnership Model for construction of six AIP fitted Conventional Submarines named Project 75(India) [P-75(I)] for the Indian Navy, on July 20, 2021.
Lockheed Martin Opens Advanced Manufacturing Facility to Expand Orion Spacecraft Production
Lockheed Martin opened its Spacecraft Test, Assembly and Resource (STAR) Center. The STAR Center features business and digital transformation innovations that will expand manufacturing, assembly and testing capacity for NASA's Orion spacecraft program and ultimately, future space exploration.
Rafale Aircraft Formally Inducted into 101 Squadron of the IAF
The Indian Air Force formally inducted Rafale aircraft into No. 101 Squadron at Air Force Station Hasimara in Eastern Air Command (EAC) on 28 Jul 21.
Forward towards growth
Yogesh Garg, Director, Sales - Asia Pacific - De Havilland in an exclusive interview with our Editor Mr. Kartikeya
RoyalJet adds European based BBJ to world's largest fleet
RoyalJet, the Abu Dhabi-owned and operated award-winning premium private aviation leader, has added a privately owned Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to its growing fleet of managed aircraft.
Tata Boeing Aerospace Delivers 100th Fuselage for the AH-64 Apache Combat Helicopter
Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) announced the delivery of the 100th fuselage for the AH-64 Apache combat helicopter to Boeing from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
Textron gets order for up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft
Textron Aviation announced Surf Air Mobility has signed a purchase agreement for up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop aircraft, with an initial fleet order of 100 aircraft and an option for 50 more.
Virgin Galactic completes first fully crewed spaceflight
Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity successfully reached space on July 11, completing the company’s fourth rocket-powered spaceflight. The flight was the 22nd test flight of VSS Unity and the first test flight with a full crew, including Indian American SirishaBandla in the cabin, including the Company’s founder, Sir Richard Branson.
