The Federation of Indian Pilots, along with three other bodies representing pilots and aircraft owners, has petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognise the anniversary of Jehangir R.D Tata’s first flight as India’s ‘National Aviation Day.’ On October 15, 1932, JRD Tata, the pioneer of India’s civil aviation, flew a single-engine De Havilland Puss Moth from Karachi’s Drigh Road Aerodrome to a mudflat in Juhu, Bombay, with a load full of mails. The flight signified the beginning of airmail services in India. 2022 is the 90th anniversary of that pioneering flight.
The three bodies, including the Sport, Amateur and Recreational Aviation Society, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of India, and the Federation of Indian Pilots, have raised the request in separate letters, highlighting the need to start celebrating the country’s aviation success. The three bodies also requested Modi to name the next international airport after JRD Tata.
India’s rich aviation heritage to be celebrated
“The late Bharat Ratna [Honorary] Air Vice Marshal JRD Tata is considered the father of civil aviation in India as it was his first flight on October 15, 1932, which heralded the dawn of airmail services in our country. It would be only appropriate that October 15 be declared as the National Aviation Day of India. Also, it would be more appropriate if you declare it this year as we are celebrating the 90th anniversary of Tata’s flight in 2022,” said Capt. Surinder Mehta, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots.
“India too has a rich aviation heritage of which we the people are justifiably proud, and now it is time that India too starts celebrating our own National Aviation Day,” he added.
“Tata, instead of being in the boardroom and monitoring the progress of his airline venture, led from the front by not only undertaking the inaugural flight himself but also pioneering many other routes. By doing so, he joined the ranks of other aviation giants like Juan Trippe, Robert Forman Six, Charles Lindbergh, Edward Rickenbacker and Howard Hughes,” pointed out the Sport Amateur and Recreational Association in their letter to the PM.
Tata Group took over the control of Air India yesterday, 69 years after running under the Government of India.
