Speaking to journalists here on Wednesday, Air Marshal Anjan Kumar Gogoi, air officer commanding in chief, South Western Command confirmed that Sachin will make the sortie from the Lohegaon Air Force Station in Pune.
Sachin will be the fourth civilian to fly in Sukhoi fighter after former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in June 2006 and President Pratibha Patil in November last year, and by former Defense Minister George Fernandes in 2007.
Gogoi further stated that Sachin will make the sortie in the fighter aircraft once all the formalities are over. "Sachin's consent is required to finalize the date of the fight. The cricket legend will have to spare a fortnight from his busy schedule for the sorties. There are certain norms and mandatory procedures to be followed before finalized the details of the flight. Sachin's sortie will definitely take place, but we cannot predict the exact time or month of the sortie," Gogoi added.
"According to IAF rules and norms, anyone besides defense officers who have to fly in the Sukhoi aircraft, have to undergo mental and physical fitness test, which is compulsory. Therefore, Sachin would be given extensive training prior to his flying the Sukhoi aircraft," Gogoi said.
Though the date and month of Sachin making the sortie is uncertain, yet it is expected that the cricketer would make the sortie after the conclusion of the Indian cricket team's South African tour.
The IAF which has released their calendar has pictures of Sachin. The IAF Public Relations Officer (PRO) Wing Commander SK Mehta said that Sachin flying in the most modern jet aircraft like Sukhoi 30MKI would be inspirational for youths who are aspiring to joining the IAF, apart from those who already are in the IAF.
