Bengaluru, July 1: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) got the biggest stamp of approval from the Indian Air Force (IAF) when the first Commanding Officer of No 45 Tejas Squadron -- Flying Daggers - showered praise on the home-grown fighter.
Interacting with the media at Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), after a brief display of Tejas, Group Captain Madhav Rangachari (Ranga) said: "This is easily the best aircraft I have flown. It is a pilot's delight."
Ranga was virtually mobbed by the media soon after he walked out of the fighter. To a query from OneIndia on being the first person to head the Tejas Squadron, Ranga said he is proud to be associated with the project. "I am really proud of being part of the Make in India mission. Happy to fly Tejas in IAF colours," Ranga said. "Tejas is best in its class with excellent onboard systems and avionics," said the ace pilot hailing from Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. He said the avionics in Tejas is leagues ahead when compared to other contemporary aircraft of its kind in the world. To a specific query on how best was Tejas when compared to the MiGs and Mirages, Ranga said: "Generation ahead of Mirage, MiG. You can't compare apples with oranges." With around 3000 flying hours to his kitty, Ranga has flown the Mirage 2000 and MiG-21 before getting posted to ASTE. "I have been flying Tejas for the past one year now and it has a lot of potential. It will surely do a great job for the IAF," the pilot said. OneIndia News
Terming the fighter as an 'excellent aircraft,' Ranga hoped that the Squadron would get the reaming platforms at the earliest from HAL.
He said the induction of Tejas is a stepping stone in the history of India.