Flight of fancy to come true for Kalam, will fly in Su-30 MKI

Pune, June 6 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam is all set to fulfil his childhood dream of flying a combat aircraft, when he will off on a Sukhoi-30MKI for a 30-minute sortie on arriving here.

He will undertake the short flight in the Indian Air Force's (IAF) latest all-weather air dorminance supersonic fighter Sukhoi-30 MKI at the IAF base at Lohegaon here on June 8.

The President will be received tomorrow by Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), Air Marshal P K Mehra, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command (SWAC) and Air Commodore M Banerjee, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Base, Pune.

The President will be presented a ceremonial 'Guard of Honour' by air warriors of the airbase on his arrival at the Lightening Squadron tarmac on Thursday morning.

After the necessary pre-flight briefing, Wing Commander Ajay Rathore, Commanding Officer of the Su-30 MKI squadron, will fly the President on a 30-minute sortie profile, which will include going supersonic and crossing the speed barrier.

He will also be shown the capabilities of the Su-30 MKI in flight.

An air show displaying the prowess of the IAF including formation flying, mid-air buddy refuelling, mock interception (aerial dog fight), saturation strike and low level aerobatics by a single Su-30 MKI will also be demonstrated to the President.

Dr Kalam will later address the airmen and interact with them during his visit.

Later, he will attend the convocation of Defence Institute of Advance Technology (DIAT), where he will deliver the first Dr P Dara Anita Memorial lecture.

Finally, the President will visit the Society for the Welfare of Physically Handicapped (Research Centre, Wanowrie) before his departure from Pune, an official note stated.

UNI DWN SSS PM RAI2146