AIR RACE CULMINATES AT NAGPUR

SPECTACULAR FLYPAST MARKS CLOSING CEREMONY

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The curtains came down on the Air Race with the Indian Air Force showcasing a spectacular flypast in the closing ceremony held at Nagpur today. The Air Race was held to commemorate in a befitting manner, the centenary year of powered flight. The Air Race was jointly organised under the aegis of the Aeronautical Society of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Indian Air Force.

The Deputy Prime Minister Shri LK Advani who was the Chief Guest at the ceremony gave away the prizes to the winners amidst thunderous applause. Speaking on the occasion the Deputy PM said that the Air Race made him realise that from the day the Wright Brothers took to air in 1903 till the turn of the century, India has made tremendous technological progress in all fields including aviation. The Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy was also present.

A total of 51 aircraft participated in the Air Race which included jets, light piston propellers, powered gliders, micro light helicopters. The participants were from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, NCC, HAL and freelance civil pilots.

Initially the Air Race was flagged off on the 20^th of this month from Barrackpore in the East, Bangalore in the South and Goa in the West. All the participating aircraft were slated to cover equal distances to finish at Nagpur. The Race progressed through 25 airfields. The odds were heavily stacked against the participants in all the three routes so as to test their capability, aviation keenness and optimal performance. Criteria such as the use of fuel and time taken to cover distances were taken into consideration while judging the best participants. The umpires who judged the participants’ progress were highly skilled aviators of the Indian Air Force.

The Civil Aviation Minister announced permanent air ticket to fly in Air India and Indian Airlines to Ms Audrey Maben-the only lady pilot in command and also the one to fly solo.

The Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the President of Aeronautic Society of India Shri NR Mohanty who was also present said that initially when called for participation in the Air Race, the response and enthusiasm was simply incredible. Shri Mohanty informed the gathering that ladies participation in the Air Race was twenty per cent.

The prize winners list is as follows:

CATEGORY 1 – MICROLIGHT AND POWER HAND GLIDERS

1^ST Prize

Pilot : Wg. Cdr. Shiv Singh Dholiya

Aircraft : Zen Air

2^nd Prize

Pilot: Wg. Cdr. A.L. Masand

Aircraft: Super Dimona

3^rd Prize

Pilot : Sqn. Ldr. Prakash Rao

Aircraft : Super Dimona

4^th Prize

Pilot : Gp. Capt. Neel Kamal Prashar

Aircraft : Zen Air

CATEGORY II – LIGHT AIRCRAFT

1^ST Prize

Pilot: Capt. Sachin Sharath

Aircraft: Cessna 152

2^nd Prize

Pilot : Dr. Firdaus Phiroze Batlivala

Aircraft : Cessna 172

3^rd Prize

Pilot :Capt. Viral Cooper

Aircraft : Cessna 152

CATEGORY III – MEDIUM AND HEAVY AIRCRAFT

1^ST Prize

Pilot : Sqn. Ldr. D.K. Shah

Aircraft : HPT 32

2^nd Prize

Pilot : Sqn. Ldr. R.S. Nandedkar

Aircraft : HPT 32

CATEGORY IV – HELICOPTERS

1^ST Prize

Pilot : Flt. Lt. V.K. Singh

Aircraft : Chetak

CATEGORY V – SPECIAL PRIZES

1. ONLY LADY PILOT IN COMMAND AND ALSO SOLO

Pilot :Ms. Audrey Maben

Aircraft : X – Air

2. MOST DIFFICULT FLYING MACHINE WINNER

Pilot : Cmdr. Mohan Kutty

Aircraft : PHG II Voyager

3. MOST NOVEL MACHINE

Pilot : Mr. Pawan Kaula

Aircraft : Long EZ

4. YOUNGEST PARTICIPANT

Co-Pilot : Master Mashaan Kaula

Aircraft L Long EZ

5. OLDEST PARTICIPANT

 

Pilot : Mr. T.M. Thomas – 59 Years

Aircraft : Cessna - 152