New Delhi: Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, one of India’s largest conglomerates, passed away at 86. In a recent social media post, he addressed rumours about his health, stating that he was undergoing routine medical check-ups due to his age. He was an industrialist with a passion for many things, including flying.
His love for flying is well-known, and this was more evident when he flew the iconic F-16 and F-18. He is best remembered for flying an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet at the Aero India show, which shows his fearless approach to business and life.
He was a licensed pilot and an experienced aviator. According to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Ratan Tata’s forward-thinking leadership played a crucial role in shaping the country’s aviation sector.
When Rata Tata flew the iconic F-16 and F-18 fighter jets
In February 2007, Ratan Tata was allowed to co-pilot an F-16 fighter jet at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru. With his impressive aviation skills and licenses to fly both jets and helicopters, he eagerly seized the chance to take control of the combat aircraft under the guidance of a seasoned Lockheed Martin pilot. The exhilarating half-hour flight saw Tata soaring through clear skies and reaching altitudes as low as 500 feet.
According to a report in NDTV, when Tata landed, Lockheed Martin officials greeted him and gave him a small model of the F-16. The American defence company was competing for a large contract with India then.
Ratan Tata flying the iconic F-16 (Photo credit: X/@Bnglrweatherman)
Not content with one airborne adventure, Tata took to the skies the next day in Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet, a larger and more powerful aircraft used in the US Navy’s aircraft carrier operations. For Tata, a passionate aviation enthusiast, flying two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets back-to-back was a dream.
In December 2019, Tata took to social media and shared a photo of himself in the F-18 fighter jet at the Aero India show, reflecting on the experience as one of his favourite moments from the decade. He captioned his Instagram post, “It’s not just the end of a year, but the end of a decade too.”
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Ratan Tata, the iconic industrialist and former chairperson of the Tata Group, passed away at age 86. Known for his groundbreaking business leadership and adventurous spirit, Tata left a legacy that soared as high as his aviation exploits. One of his most memorable feats was piloting an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet at the Aero India show, a testament to his fearless approach to business and life. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
