With Wings Attached

He’ll be the first Indian to attempt this—fly around the world in 80 days in a microlite motorised glider. Wing Commander Rahul Mongia, an IAF helicopter pilot, is busy fixing the logistics of a flight that will see him cross 26 countries. The tricky bit will be the last leg when he crosses Pakistan. His aircraft, with its limited range, will need permission to land there. If not allowed, Mongia will have to travel just outside Pakistani air space, across the Arabian sea and land in India. It’ll be an impressive feat if he can swing it, the training gained in the gruelling tours of duty on the Siachen glacier should stand him in good stead.