Pilots make pit stop in record attempt

A pair of Indian Air Force wing commanders took a detour through Prince George Friday while attempting to smash a world record for the fastest flight around the world in a pint-sized plane.
The microlight aircraft is piloted by Rahul Monga, 37, and his co-pilot Anil Kumar, 38, who left an airfield near Delhi, India, on June 1 as part of the IAF's 75th anniversary celebration.
The pilots had hoped to circumnavigate the world in 64 days, which would slice 34 days off the record held by British pilot Colin Bodill. The flight is in the 300-to-500-kilogram weight category for the aircraft.
The microlight plane weighs less than 500 kilograms, even with one pilot, fuel and baggage. The pressurized cabins are without heat or air conditioning.
The microlight reaches a top speed of 140 knots, which is about 250 km/h.
The pilots have the assistance of a tracking and communications device - provided by Flyht, a Calgary company - which enables controllers in India to provide exact directions to rescuers, in the event of a crash. Such technology has provided some piece of mind when traversing potentially dangerous areas such as the Bering Sea.
14/07/07 Scott Stanfield/Prince George Citizen, Canada

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Categories: Foreign Jul 2007