53rd anniversary of NCC to be celebrated today

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, NOV. 28. The 53rd anniversary celebrations of the NCC in Pondicherry on Thursday will be marked by the inauguration of flying activities by the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Rajani Rai.

Briefing reporters on the introduction of the training programme from Thursday for the airwing cadets at the Pondicherry airport complex Col. P. B. Joneja, Group Commander of the NCC said the launching of the flying activities would be the fulfilment of a long-felt need. The two micro flight craft being used for training the cadets cost Rs. 16.5 lakh each.

They have been manufactured by Agni Aero Sports Aviation Academy in Bangalore. They were procured and delivered through the Directorate General NCC for the training of the cadets here. The two seats in each craft are meant for the cadet and the flying instructor.

The `microflight craft' combines the unique features of conventional aircraft with those of an advanced microflight. The micro flight craft weighs 450 kilos including the pilots.

The NCC day celebration would also be marked by the inauguration of a Rs. 50 lakh hangar and launching of the glider.

The cadets would get the training free of cost.

Wing Commander Parthiban and Group Captain G. S. Baweja from NCC Group Headquarters Madras-B told reporters at the hangar on Tuesday that the training would be so complete so that cadets passing the Pilot Aptitude Test would be in a position to shine well in their career.

The NCC's air wing has a strength of 220 cadets (including girls). As Pondicherry did not have the hangar facility all these years it was deprived of the opportunity to introduce the glider and the flying activities. The much awaited adventure activity for the college students attached to the NCC would be a feather in the cap of the NCC.

The hangar is so designed that it can accommodate sufficient number of microflight craft and gliders. The fuel requirement is being met by the Pondicherry Administration. Presspersons had an opportunity to fly in the microflight craft for a while.

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Section  : Southern States
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