But president Pratibha Patel has made up her mind. She would fly in a Sukhoi-30 MKI — the Indian Air Force’s most potent fighter.
She isn’t fit enough to be a fighter pilot, nor is she at an age to think of becoming one. Besides, the air force doesn’t even have a G-suit that fits her. But president Pratibha Patel has made up her mind. She would fly in a Sukhoi-30 MKI — the Indian Air Force’s most potent fighter.
In military style, detailing planning is underway in Pune and Delhi to ensure that the first woman president of the country has a smooth ride, like her predecessor APJ Abdul Kalam. Air force sources said the president would be flying for almost 30 minutes over Pune later this month. The probable date is November 25.
The president would sit in the rear seat, as the commanding officer of the Number 20 ‘Lightning’ Squadron based at Lohegaon, Pune, would take the SU-30 to the sky. An air force officer said the president would be given a “slow and steady” ride, but “it won’t be boring”. She would be exposed to basic manoeuvres that would give her a good idea of the capabilities of the Russian-made fighter. The fighter, however, would not be pushed to the limits.
“It won’t be like the ride that Dr Kalam had. He was looking at the performance of the machine, since he was familiar with it. So it was slightly tougher than the ride president Patil would have,” a senior officer said.
As the air force prepares for the president’s flight, they are faced with some unique challenges. The force does not have a G-suit, flying suit and boots of her size. The air force does not have women fighter pilots, so the single-piece G-suits and flying suits are made to the size of men, who are much taller. The G-suit, specifically the Anti-G-suit, helps pilots in a fighter plane to withstand high acceleration, or g-force.
The G-suit is made of special garment and has inflatable bladders. It is a tight-fighting trouser worn over or under the flying suit. The bladders press tight on the abdomen and stomach, preventing blood from flowing away from the brain, which, otherwise, would result in a blackout.
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