Flew Flight Design CT Around The World... All VFR

Success! Indian Air Force Wing Commanders and Squadron Leaders Rahul Monga and Anil Kumar have completed a round-the-world flight in 79 days involving 19 countries in a Flight Design CT. The trip was undertaken as part of the celebration of the IAF's 75th Anniversary and it is believed to be a new record for this class of aircraft.

The two officers made contact with air force units in each country to extend official greetings as part of the celebration, according to the company.

As ANN reported, the pilots began their voyage on June 1 at Delhi, India and returned August 19. At the end of their globe-circling voyage, the pilots flew an IAF-registered airplane to Pakistan and landed for refueling in Karachi... an unusual show of goodwill, given the often tense relationship between the neighboring countries.

"The round-the-world tour under day VFR rules was successful with this airplane despite difficult weather conditions," reported Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design.

"It's a fantastic machine, very reliable... it got us home and there were no problems. We had good support from the manufacturer," said Kumar.

"Fuel consumption of 3-5 gallons per hour -- equivalent to 30-36 mpg at a speed of 110 mph -- is a level the car industry wants to achieve in the distant future," Betsch said.

The two pilots said flying -- or, more accurately, landing -- the CT is just a bit different than the fighter jets they usually fly. Since the aircraft weighs less than 1100 pounds on takeoff and is highly susceptible to wind gusts, the plane "lands like a drunken Dinosaur," according to an IAF release.

At one remote Chinese airstrip, they were just about to touch down... when a powerful wind gust shot them 50 feet back up into the air. It took three more attempts before they touched down safely.

But, all's well that ends well.

"The Flight Design Team congratulates and thanks pilots Monga and Kumar plus the Indian Air Force for their engagement and professional work, which led to a superior success," Betsch said.

FMI: www.flightdesign.com, www.indianairforce.nic.in