Patiala, July 30: Spearheading government’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, two women pilots — Aarohi Pandit (22) and Keithair Misquitta (23) — took to the skies from the Patiala Aviation Club on Sunday in a bid to circumnavigate the globe aboard a light sports aircraft (LSA) in 90 days.
The pilots aim to navigate their small aircraft over mountain ranges and forests across 23 countries spanning three continents. They will cover around 40,000 km in their 80-HP Pipistrel Sinus plane that can carry two people. It can fly for four hours at a stretch.
Keithair says: “Through this expedition, we will raise funds for scholarship programme in aviation for 100 girls from underprivileged sections of the society. The flights will depend largely on the weather conditions. We are not scared of the expedition as we have the support of the aviation staff, mentors and family.”
The two are being supported by the Women and Child Welfare Ministry for flying and travel permissions. A support team from Nexus Flight Operations will provide ground handling, technical support, parking and landing permissions.
Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Preneet Kaur flagged off the expedition from the aviation grounds here. She said: “The mission taken up by the two women will spread the message that women in India are leading the world. It is a matter of pride that the two trained for the mission at Patiala Aviation Club.”
The two will fly over Southeast Asia, Japan, Russia, Canada, the US, Greenland, Iceland, Europe and the Middle East as part of their global attempt.
Aarohi says: “Our mission is to spread the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. The same plane has earlier been used to break world records. We started training at the Bombay Flying Club and have been flying together for the past four years. We trained for the mission in Patiala for one month.
“We are fortunate to have been chosen to lead the campaign with the support from the aviation industry, family and friends. Captain Rahul Monga, a former Indian Air Force helicopter pilot, was instrumental in making this mission a possibility.”
Aarohi’s mother Ashvani Pandit said: “It is a proud moment for us as my daughter has achieved so much at such a young age. Their travel and cause will empower women both here and abroad. It represents the unfailing strength of young Indian women to take up challenges.”
Source Tribune India
