The Hindu : `Air Race India 2003' from Nov. 20

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 21, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

`Air Race India 2003' from Nov. 20

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Nov. 20. After the modest Air Race India 2001, the Aeronautical Society of India is gearing up for a mega air race. Dubbed "Air Race India 2003", the two-day race with an expected 50 aircraft will begin on November 20 next year. The event is to celebrate 100 years of first manned flight.

Preparations have begun for the event. Four categories of general aviation and military aircraft have been invited to participate in it. They are light aircraft, including micro-light and powered hang gliders (below 1,000 kg. All up weight); helicopters; medium aircraft (between 1,000 and 2,500 kg. AUW); and heavy aircraft (between 2,500 and 5,700 kg. AUW).

Organised to commemorate the first centenary of manned flight, the race will begin simultaneously from Chandigarh, Barrackpore, Bangalore, and Goa, and culminate in Nagpur on November 22 after a number of stopovers and two night-halts. The Wright Brothers created history on December 17, 1903 by flying the first ever powered heavier than air machine at Kitty Hawk, U.S.

All the flights will be conducted during daylight hours and in clear weather. Navigation routes, leg-lengths and en-aroute landing bases have been selected to suit different categories of aircraft. Participating aircraft will be timed from "Set Course" after take-off to "Arrival" overhead at the landing bases. Aircraft averaging the best ground speed will be adjudged winners, the race Organising Committee Chairman, Air Vice Marshal (retd.), Ajit Lamba, told presspersons here.

He said a handicapping system had been evolved which would enable all participating aircraft to compete on par with each other.

"Pilots will have to make the best use of prevailing winds, navigate accurately, and optimise aircraft configuration," he added.

Nearly 50 aircraft, including Hansa, Pushpak, Microlite, Cessna 172, Kiran, and P-68, are expected to take part in the race. To encourage greater participation and to keep costs down, the race organisers will provide free fuel, and boarding and lodging. Participants will have to pay only the registration fee of Rs. 5,000. The cost of organising the race will be between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. one crore.

Supporting the society to organise the race are the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Defence Services, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airport Authority of India, and Indian Oil Corporation.

A National Advisory Committee and a National Steering Committee have been set up to guide the Air Race India 2003 Organising Committee.

A special website, www.aesi.org, will provide information on the race.

Details may be had from Air Vice Marshal Lamba, Aeronautical Society of India, Bangalore Branch, Suranjan Das Road, New Thippasandra Post, Bangalore- 560075, or on Ph: 5297159, 5286721.

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