Chief Advisor

SQN.LDR. JOY PRAKASH CHHETRY (RTD.)
CHIEF ADVISOR
THE SKYLINE AVIATION CLUB

Sam, “ Good Luck Boy!”

These were the final statement of the fatherly yet authoritarian voice of Field Marshal “Sam Bahadur” Manickshaw. The 1971 Indo-Pak war was in full swing and I was one of the English Electric Conberra Bomber Pilots who would fly from our base in Agra to Chandigarh airport. Refuel the aircraft and head for Pakistan targets. We used to taste the many cakes made by college girls to boost our morale while waiting for the last word from the field Marshal himself. His Phone would ring and he would inform of the latest bomb-line, so we don’t bomb our troops instead of the enemy troops, in the dark nights of “lights-out” condition on both sides of the border. His last words were “Good Luck, Boy!”

Over the glorious years of my carrer in the Air Force I experienced 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, bombing hideouts of Naga rebels in the Naga Hills in Assam and long reconnaissance sorties of 3 to 5 hours in L.1049 Super Constellation aeroplanes of the Coast of Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to report any enemy war ships approaching our sea border from international waters.

I have flown many aircraft of both the civil and military variety. Civil are Hindustan trainer 2, Harward, Texan, Beechcraft, Duchess, Rockwell Commander and L.1049 Super Constellation. The Air Force Varieties are Vampire, Hunter and all varieties of English Electric Comberra. I have flown 1200 hours of pure jet and over 2500 hours of piston engine aircraft.

I have a passion and flair for teaching, right from my school days as monitor of the class to taking classes of junior pilots in different Air Force Squadrons. This led me to teaching aspiring pilots in the Civil, starting with Capt. A. D. Manek’s Skyline Aviation Academy in Mumbai. This is the first Academy to start Civil Pilot training in India. Capt. Manek is a versatile individual with deep interest in Aviation. He has nurtured Skyline for last 25 years and has won laurels from the Aviation Community. He was awarded Pride of Gujarat Award at a function organized by Feelings Magazine by hands of former President Speaker Mr. Ashok Bhat, Government of Gujarat at Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He had sign MOU with Government of Gujarat in Vibrant Gujarat Festival to start the manufacturing of 2 / 4 / 6 seater small aircrafts at Parsoli, Navsari in Gujarat. This Venture will be first of it’s type in India. I wish him all success in this worthy Venture.

I have also done a similar venture with Fast Helicopters in UK. This Co is one of the best in Europe. I have tied an MOU with them to start operations in India. It takes 2 hours 15 minutes to fly from Delhi to Mumbai and it takes 3 hours 15 minutes to reach Colaba or Cuffe Parade. The same can be done in 15 minutes by helicopters, which are cars with no road restrictions. The Civil Aviation Ministry are toying with the idea.

The experiences of teaching in India and USA taught me one thing and that was the need for having our own version of a book which guides the pilots of our peculiar needs as per requirements of the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA ( Directorate General of Civil Aviation ). Therefore, I began the process of producing a book through my old notes and help from my students and colleagues. The same was produced and printed by the 77 year old famous Sterling Book House, 181, Dr. D. N. Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001.

I requested Dr. Vijay Mallya, President of the Aeronautical Society of India and Chairman cum Managing Director of the legendary King Fisher Airlines to kindly launch my book in August, 2010 from Banaglore where he is residing. However, he wrote me a sweet reply that he was too busy and going abroad and would not be able to do so. I would not like it done through anybody else. In February, 2011 I received a letter of invitation from the Aeronautical Society of India, Mumbai Chapter of holding the Annual General Meeting of the Society at Hotel Le Meridian, Sahar Airport, Mumbai. I requested the Secretary and Chairman to kindly launch my book on this great occasion and they complied with my request. Dr. Vijay Mallaya attended and fulfilled my inner urge to my great satisfaction. I fervently hope many more books on Aviation will be produced by Indian authors, which is very lamentable compare to the vast libraries produced by highly advanced western countries.

Like Sam Bahadur said on those fateful nights I would urge Capt. A.D.Manek and Skyline team, “ Good Luck Team!”