Chandigarh: Finally, it was the twin engine Eurocopter EC-145 that saved the day for industrialist and Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal on Monday when his helicopter landed under emergency conditions at the Chandigarh airport after developing a technical snag on Monday.
However, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm (just about time when the airport closes for air traffic) Chandigarh airport officials were straining their every nerve to get the helicopter, lamely sitting on the short runway, out of the way. Flights, disrupted because of a single disabled chopper, had to resume.
One of the many techniques they employed was the great Indian ‘jugad’ trick, sources said. When it was realised that the copter had no wheels and that “dragging it away” would only damage the VVIP carrier, airport staff began trying on wheels of other helicopters. That did not help since every copter has its own wheels.
When the ‘jugad’ wheels failed, officials made frenetic calls to the Pinjore Flying Club. Luckily, they had the wheels specifically suited for the Eurocopter. By the time the wheels were brought in and the helicopter cleared off the runway, it was time for the airport to shut operations for the day.
20/11/12 Tribune India
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However, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm (just about time when the airport closes for air traffic) Chandigarh airport officials were straining their every nerve to get the helicopter, lamely sitting on the short runway, out of the way. Flights, disrupted because of a single disabled chopper, had to resume.
One of the many techniques they employed was the great Indian ‘jugad’ trick, sources said. When it was realised that the copter had no wheels and that “dragging it away” would only damage the VVIP carrier, airport staff began trying on wheels of other helicopters. That did not help since every copter has its own wheels.
When the ‘jugad’ wheels failed, officials made frenetic calls to the Pinjore Flying Club. Luckily, they had the wheels specifically suited for the Eurocopter. By the time the wheels were brought in and the helicopter cleared off the runway, it was time for the airport to shut operations for the day.
20/11/12 Tribune India
