Around the world in 80 days, IAF duo sets new record

New Delhi: A Microlight aircraft expedition team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a perfect touchdown at the rain soaked Hindon airfield on Sunday afternoon after creating a new world record for the fastest round-the-world trip.
Piloted by Wing Commanders Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar, the aircraft flew over 19 countries and circumnavigated the globe in 80 days — breaking the earlier world record set by a British pilot by a margin of 19 days.
The team was received at Hindon by top IAF brass, including Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major. The expedition entered the Indian air space near Bhuj on Saturday night after a historic stopover at Karachi for refuelling.
The 300-kg microlight plane covered a distance of 40, 497 kilometres over varied terrain ranging from plains, dense forests, deserts and seas and achieved a speed of 21 kmph to better the earlier record of 16.53 kmph set by UK aviator Colin Bodil in 2001.
The gutsy IAF duo experienced their share of bad weather during the expedition that set them back by almost 16 days from the original plan.
20/08/07 Delhi Newsline

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: General Aviation Aug 2007, New Aug 2007