1st Indian Pilot To Land On Vikramaditya

November 19, 2013 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist
 

In these pictures seen here on Livefist for the first time, is Commodore Surendra Ahuja, who on September 3 became the first Indian pilot to be 'trapped' on the Vikramaditya in a MiG-29KUB. This wasn't a solo flight, however: Cmde. Ahuja was flying with MiG Test Pilot Sergei Rubnikov, who was captain of the aircraft during this flight. The first solo landing by an Indian pilot on the Vikramaditya is likely to take place in Feb/March next year by a pilot from the INAS 303 squadron.

Cmde. Ahuja, currently posted to Naval HQ, was in Russia for 80 days (from early Aug to mid Oct 2013) for Aviation Facilities Complex Delivery Acceptance Trials - most of the flying happened north of Murmansk (north of the Arctic Circle) -- which is why pilots flying at the time had to use immersion suits. Cmde. Ahuja was also, incidentally, the first "new mould" Indian pilot certified in tailhook landings.