In an old yet captivating video from February 2007, at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru, Ratan Tata co-piloted an F-16 fighter jet at the age of 69 years.
The flight experience of the esteemed industrialist in the F-16 was witnessed under the expert guidance of a Lockheed Martin pilot, with whom he took control of the flight for 30 minutes. He flew through clear skies and hit the low altitudes of 500 feet, flying under hilly regions and diverse landscapes.
After the flight landed, Tata was accorded a warm welcome from Lockheed Martin officials, who presented him with a miniature replica of the F-16 as a memento of the unforgettable experience.
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The chairman of Tata Sons spoke to NDTV after the flight, and said, “You end up feeling very timid. We did a few things when the commander took over… It’s just unbelievable.”
Image context- Ratan Tata was the co-pilot of the F-16 fighter that was commandeered by Paul Hattendorf. Aero India 2007- During the event, Ratan Tata was 69 years old. The Indian billionaires spent almost 40 minutes in the aircraft and took control mid-flight | #RatanTata https://t.co/WwZ2uXbM7r pic.twitter.com/Ewo70lGSFR
— Chauhan (@Platypus_10) October 9, 2024
Ratan Tata was a licensed pilot and had a passion for flying. He learned to fly at an early age and became the first Indian to fly the F–16 Falcon fighter jet in 2007.
Tata’s airborne pursuits did not stop with the F-16. The very next day, he was in the air again-and this time it was Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet-a plane, far bigger and more potent than the F-16.
Also Read: A Beautiful Bond: How Ratan Tata And Shantanu Naidu Connected Through Their Love For Animals?
