Article Posted on : - Sep 04, 2014

The Tejas light combat aircraft of India.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Deputy Air Chief Air Marshal S B P Sinha on Wednesday became the first officer of his rank to fly indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas and praised its performance, saying it handled "well" on the ground as well as in the air.

Sinha flew the aircraft (trainer version) in Bengaluru where he was on a two-day visit to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) during which he took a review of various aspects of the Tejas programme.

"Having had first-hand experience and feel of the aircraft, the Deputy Chief of Air Staff said it handles well both on the ground and in the air," an official statement said.

The first flight by a senior officer of this rank was a joyous occasion for all stakeholders, including ADA, HAL, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and the IAF among others, it said.

Expressing his happiness, Programme Director (Combat Aircraft) and ADA Director P S Subramanyam said the flight of Tejas by a senior IAF commander indicated a high degree of confidence in the indigenous light combat aircraft.