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| WG. CDR. ASHOK MEHTA (Retd.) |
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| NDA |
I joined the National Defence Academy in 1966 as an Air Force cadet and was commissioned into the IAF as a Fighter Pilot in 1970. |
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| IAF |
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Operational Experience
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I took part in the 1971 war as a Forward Air Controller in Ladhak and served in the Air Force till 1996. During my tenure I flew operationally in various MIG Squadrons and have over 2000 hrs on MIG variants. My last operational assignment was as a Chief Operational Officer of a Fighter Wing in the western sector. |
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Instructional Experience |
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I was a Qualified Flight Instructor in the Air Force and have instructed pilots on basic and advanced jet aircraft. I have flown 1500 hrs as a Flying Instructor and also did a tenure in Iraq in the same capacity. |
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Introduction to Aerosports |
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In 1993 I was posted to the N.C.C Air Squadron in Bangalore. Here I learnt to glide and fly Microlights. I have 187 hrs of Microlight Flying and 185s hrs of Gliding experience. During this tenure I found aerosports to be interesting and decided to pursue it post retirement. |
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| PRESENT OCCUPATION |
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After leaving the service, I acquired my Civil Flying Licenses namely |
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| CPL |
No. 3321 |
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| GPL |
No. 978 |
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| FIR(G) |
No. 112 |
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| MPL |
No 05 |
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| DGCA APPROVED INSTRUCTOR ON MICROLIGHTS |
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Thereafter, I formed a company by the name of Bangalore Aerosports with the intention of promoting aerosports. The company became operational in December 1997 when we started offering Parasailing & Microlight flying at the Companys Campsite 50 kms. from Bangalore.
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Having Intoroduced more than 5000 childern to the medium of air via parasailing & Microlight Flying, we now operate full time training on Microlights. |
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www.bangaloreaerosports.com. More than 50 individuals have trained with me and 12 have qualified for a license. I am now in the process of setting up branches in different cities besides Bangalore – mysore and allahabad are already operational. |
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| This is an extract from an article I wrote, |
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Me and my flying machine. That’s what I am today. I own a microlight and I fly for a living. As if 26 years of fighter flying was not enough ….high speeds, combat missions, 6 G’s , the ultimate!
Now its open cockpits, the wind on my face, running off a hill , soaring like a bird,. This is my world today, the world of aerosports. |
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Aerosports are at a nascent stage in our country . Few faclilities are available, the rules and regulations are not very well defined and it is perceived to be expensive.
But Soon there will be a time where a large community of hobby fliers will spend seasons chasing thermals and flying cross country on their own little 50 horse power Bi planes. |
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My flying experience has been extremely rewarding. As a pay back, my one point mission is to make as many people leave the ground, get airborne and experience the joy of that first flight. |
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Like my hero Richard Bach, I also dreamt of my own machine, my own airstrip and a cottage overlooking my airfield. I am almost there. Come first light, 5:30 in the morning and I’ll be airborne. Why don’t you join me,
Flying is for the soul! |
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