Sindhu to fly in Tejas at Aero India

NEWDELHI:AFTER ensuring the Indian flag flies high in the badminton court, PV Sindhu is set to take flight, literally. She is likely to fly in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru on Saturday.

According to Onmanorama, quoting military sources, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist will take part in a flight on the penultimate day of Aero India, which is also being observed as Women’s Day.

There is no confirmation from the organisers but if the 23-year-old takes flight, she will become one of the youngest to have flown the domestically built fighter aircraft, which was granted the final operational clearance at the show.

“We have been invited for the show in Bengaluru. We are waiting for the final programme,” Sindhu’s father PV Ramana was quoted as saying in the report.

Ramana is former India volleyball player and an Arjuna Award winner.

If the plan goes ahead, then Sindhu will be on board either PV-5 or PV-6, the trainer versions (tandem seating) of Tejas which coincide with her initials — PV.

Sindhu is excited over the prospect of experiencing g-force in a combat plane.

“It is a great honour for me to fly in a Tejas. It will be a proud moment and I am looking forward,” said Sindhu.

In the past many celebrities including sportspersons have been given a ride on fighter jets during the Aero India Show.