Aero India 2011 News

“Chhatri maata ki jai!” That was their last cry as they jumped out of the MI-8 helicopter flying at 7,500 feet above the ground. The 14-member Akash Ganga parajumping troop of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a spectacular landing at Aero India 2011 here on Wednesday.
Wing Commander A Marwah, 49, was the first to land on the ground after manoeuvring a three-minute ride through the clear sky. The first 30 seconds was complete free fall, a fling down at 120 miles/hour. “We enjoyed it completely. It was my best jump so far,” Marwah told The Times of India.
This avid parachutist, presently serving DRDO, has been into aero stunts for the past 21 years now.
He was up there, gliding through the few birds and clear sky. But what caught his attention during the entire stunt was the view of the roads and vehicles below. “I could see the traffic piled up on the road. Coming down, it felt like I was landing into a chaotic zone, and I must admit that at one point, I even wondered if my stunt would be visible to all at the venue.
10/02/11 Aarthi R/Times of India