Hanging Tough

Filed in archive Fun Stuff on November 26, 2006

Chabua, India: An Indian Air Force duo, neither of them pilots, have set an Indian national record by flying 3,700 km in the longest-ever expedition of powered hang gliding. The previous Indian record was 3,200 km.

Squadron Leader Ramakant and Sergeant S.K. Yadav flew the Italian-made Polaris hang glider with an Austrian Rotax engine for 76 hours, braving altitudes of 12,000 feet in the Jammu and Udhampur sections of the country and fighting turbulent winds and weather.

"The aim of the expedition was to spread the spirit of adventure and sportsmanship among the general public and to spread awareness about the Air Force through joyrides to children and general public in different places across the country. We (have) given joyrides to 307 persons including school children," Ramakant said after the flight.

The entire expedition was accomplished without any ground support. The high-flying pair now have the international record in their sights.

Thanks to The Hindu for details on the achievement.