Hindon (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 19 (IANS) Two intrepid Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots flew in here Sunday after creating two new world records for circumnavigating the globe in a microlight aircraft.
Flying over 16 countries and touching 81 destinations, Wing Commanders Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar completed their journey in 80 days, shaving 19 days off the existing mark of 99 days held by Britain’s Colin Bodil since 2001.
They also bettered Bodil’s airspeed record of 16.53 km per hour by recording 21.09 km per hour.
“But for unfavourable wind conditions in some parts, you would have completed the journey 15 days earlier,” IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major noted as he flagged in the expedition at this air base on the outskirts of the national capital.
The expedition was conducted as part of the ongoing platinum jubilee celebrations of the IAF.
Major also made a special mention of the permission granted by the Pakistani government for the microlight to refuel at Karachi Saturday to enable the pilots complete the journey in the 80 days he had mandated when flagging off the expedition from here June 1.
“I am grateful to all the countries for providing transit facilities. The IAF will gladly reciprocate this at any time,” he added.
The expedition covered a total distance 40,497 km in 241 hours spread over 49 flying days.
“We were all by ourselves during the entire expedition and carried out all the necessary maintenance and servicing on the microlight,” Monga told reporters.
“We faced many challenges while flying over various kinds of terrain ranging from plains, dense forests, deserts and seas. We had to contend with the harsh terrain of Siberia, the lofty Rockies and Alps, and even the frozen waters of the North Atlantic,” he added.
The expedition had to contend with a fair amount of bad weather en route and was also stuck at Anchorage in Alaska for six days. Notwithstanding this, the aircraft entered Canada and then headed for Iceland, often making quick alterations to the original planned route.
The crossing of the formidable North Atlantic was done solo by Monga and he negotiated the inclement weather flying over frozen seas and icebergs for a considerable period of time.
The weather kept the expedition on the ground for four days in Germany. The crew then crossed the icy Alps and entered Italy.
“There was never a dull movement, with a minor service problem occurring in Italy, causing us to effect an unplanned landing,” Monga pointed out.
“The pilots have undertaken the task with courage and fortitude. I am sure their achievement will fire the imagination of our young people,” Major noted.
En route, the pilots interacted with civil and military personnel in 16 countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Russia, the US, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Britain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan.
“They have been goodwill ambassadors of India in general and the Indian Air Force in particular,” Major said.