Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata on Thursday soared to new heights when he took off in a multi-role combat aircraft F-16 at the Aero India 2007 show in Bangalore. Tata, 69, undertook the flight in co-pilot's seat, which was commandeered by Paul Hattendorf, the test pilot of Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the aircraft. 
F-16, also known as Fighting Falcon, is in the race for Indian Air Force's mega plans of acquiring 126 multi-role combat aircraft. Lockheed has been lobbying hard to sell its jet to India. With this flight, Tata has now become the oldest Indian to fly the American-made aircraft. Tata, who holds a pilot's licence, had said the thought of the F-16 flight "excites me very much." The Tata group has recently picked up a 7% stake in domestic low cost airline Spicejet through its investment arm. The move to get Mr.Tata to fly on the plane is being seen as a coup for the Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, especially after Tata’s recent success with the Corus takeover.
The Tatas are not new to aviation. Ratan Tata's predecessor JRD Tata is celebrated as father of India's civil aviation. JRD Tata had launched Tata Airlines in 1932, which was nationalised in 1953 and rechristened Air-India and taken over by Goverment of India. Wow!!! Well Mr.Tata, whats next!!
Sources-
Timesofindia.com
Rediff.Com
Economictimes.com
CNBC.com
F-16, also known as Fighting Falcon, is in the race for Indian Air Force's mega plans of acquiring 126 multi-role combat aircraft. Lockheed has been lobbying hard to sell its jet to India. With this flight, Tata has now become the oldest Indian to fly the American-made aircraft. Tata, who holds a pilot's licence, had said the thought of the F-16 flight "excites me very much." The Tata group has recently picked up a 7% stake in domestic low cost airline Spicejet through its investment arm. The move to get Mr.Tata to fly on the plane is being seen as a coup for the Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, especially after Tata’s recent success with the Corus takeover.The Tatas are not new to aviation. Ratan Tata's predecessor JRD Tata is celebrated as father of India's civil aviation. JRD Tata had launched Tata Airlines in 1932, which was nationalised in 1953 and rechristened Air-India and taken over by Goverment of India. Wow!!! Well Mr.Tata, whats next!!
Sources-
Timesofindia.com
Rediff.Com
Economictimes.com
CNBC.com
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