The Hindu : Air Mela regales spectators

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 26, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Air Mela regales spectators

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, JAN. 25. The fantasy of breaking free and flying in air came close to reality for a large number of spectators who were regaled by microlite aircraft sorties at the Air Mela here on Sunday.

Organised to mark the Silver Jubilee celebrations of No 4 Kar Air Sqn NCC at the Mandakalli Airfield, near here, the Air Mela also featured parasailing by trained cadets, live and static demonstrations of microlite aircraft and remote operated helicopter among others even as people interested in parasailing were encouraged to try it out.

The Editor of Star of Mysore, K.B. Ganapathy, inaugurated the event. The Commissioner of Police, Bipin Gopalkrishna, was present.

On display were microlite aircraft and gliders called "Ardhra" Glider, Hand Glider and static aero models. Army cadets of the NCC gave a display of weapons and artillery guns while Navy cadets exhibited naval sailing boats.

But the live demonstration kicked off with a bang: a free flight demonstration and a para-jumper falling from a height of nearly 600 feet to make a perfect landing with the parachute.

This was followed by aero modellers of No 4 Kar Air Sqn NCC who took over the show. They were led by the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander R.K. Jhamb. There was also a display of "control line flying'' even as the gliders in position took off much to the glee of the spectators.

As soon as Wing Commander Jhamb landed on the airstrip, students of Rotary High School gave a band display.

Even as they belted out in rhythm a microlite aircraft took off to a height of 4,000 feet and a para-jumper dived dropping to nearly 2,000 feet before opening the parachute. He gave a scintillating display of skydiving and before landing near the crowd.

Apart from offering joy rides in aircraft and conducting parasailing for the benefit of the people at a nominal cost, the Air Mela also had para-jumping.

The Air Mela, reckoned to the first of its kind in Mysore, was a one-hour show and the finale was a fly past exercise by an NCC microlite aircraft that synchronised with the taking off of the microlite flown by Wing Commander Jhamb and cadet Seema.

One of the objectives of the Air Mela was to popularise adventure sports in the city. Soon after the show concluded, parasailing and microlite flying continued to be held for the rest of the day by Bangalore Aerosports Club.

Audrey Maben, a solo pilot from the Bangalore Aerosports Club, was present. Rukmini Chandran, a former Air NCC Cadet of No 4 Kar Air Sqn NCC, instructed people on parasailing.

No 4 Kar Air Sqn NCC, which was formed on January 31, 1978, has the honour of being adjudged the best air squadron in the country.

This year, 11 of its cadets participated in the All India Vayu Sainik Camp and brought laurels to the squadron and to the Karnataka and Goa Directorate by winning awards such as the best all India glider pilot among others.

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