IAF's Global Venture: Microlight 'Round the World' Expedition

New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) Imbued with the spirit of adventure, two Air Warriors today set off on a 'Round the World' flight in a 300kg Microlight aiming to cover some 39,000 kms in just 45-odd days.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Major 'flagged off' the intrepid duo of Indian Air Force pilots Wing Commanders R Monga and Anil Kumar from Air Force Station Hindon. This expedition is part of the ongoing IAF Platinum Jubilee celebrations with stress on promoting international goodwill as also inculcating the spirit of adventure.

The expedition has been undertaken in a German-manufactured Microlight aircraft -- called the 'CSTW Advance' -- whose empty weight is 300 kgs and which has a range of 1,400 km.

The Microlight has a ceiling of 14,000 feet. It has a glass cockpit and electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), internal GPS, a satellite tracker and a VOR coupled R/T set. It is also fitted with an emergency parachute recovery system.

In addition to the 45 days flight-time, the pilots have planned for another 19 days for rest and maintenance activities.

This effort would also be an attempt to set a new world record for the fastest time in circumnavigating the world in the 300-500 kg weight category. The route has been approved by the Aero Club of India which represents the Federation Aeronautique International (FAI), the governing body for aerosports.

In his address prior to the flagging off, Air Chief Marshal Major complimented the Air Warriors for setting off on an expedition which had all the ingredients of ''a great adventure-challenge, excitement, hint of danger, unpredictability of elements of nature, foreign lands and an unfamiliar route''.

''I wish I could take the place of the expedition's crew for what they are setting out to accomplish has a great adventure- challenge'', said ACM Major himself a helicopter pilot.

Giving the example of various aviation adventurist from the Wright brothers to industrialist Vijaypat Singhania, the Air Chief said: ''Aviation and flight are the very embodiment of human striving and sprit of adventure... As the prime custodian of the legacy of aviation in India, the IAF has the responsibility not only to push the envelop itself but also to promote aero-sport activity in the country... This would also help inculcate an air-mindedness in our people....'' Wg Cdr Monga, on being asked how he felt to be going around the world for the expedition, said: ''We are keen on getting on with the expedition... I am proud to represent the country and the Indian Air Force in such an event... I and my entire team have put in a lot of effort 'planning' the expedition... It's time now to live it....'' The expedition -- requiring great fortitude -- will be a true test of both men and machine. There will be challenges of extremes of weather, change of time zones, flying through different countries and interacting with various agencies all across the world.

The crew would be totally independent -- even for undertaking scheduled servicing.

In addition to highlighting the capability of the IAF in undertaking such an expedition, it also embodies the true sprit of adventurous aviation, observed an IAF officer.

The Microlight would fly east from Delhi to Myanmar from where it will proceed to Thailand. Thence, the IAF duo will fly to China, Russia, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, the EU Countries, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Oman before returning home.

UNI