New Delhi: When the MiG-21 Bison – a supersonic fighter jet known as one of the most challenging aircraft to fly with a take-off and landing speed of around 340 kmph – roared off the runway at Jamnagar Air Base on February 19, 2018, history was written in the sky. In its cockpit was Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi, who became the first woman in Indian history to fly a fighter aircraft solo.
The solo sortie, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was not just a flight but a breaking of the glass ceiling in the Indian Air Force.
Who is Avani Chaturvedi?
Born on October 27, 1993, in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, Avani Chaturvedi is an officer of the Indian Air Force. Her childhood fascination was the sky. She pursued a http://B.Tech in Computer Science from Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, before clearing the Air Force Common Admission Test and joining the Air Force Academy.
How difficult is the MiG-21 Bison?
The MiG-21 Bison is the upgraded version of the Russian-origin MiG-21, the backbone of the IAF for decades. It is a supersonic interceptor with an extremely high landing speed, demanding split-second decision making. For decades it was considered an unforgiving aircraft even for experienced male fighter pilots, which makes Avani’s solo feat even more significant.
Her journey to become a fighter pilot:
Avani underwent rigorous training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. She first trained on basic trainer aircraft, then moved to Kiran and Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers before being selected for the fighter stream and given the opportunity to fly the MiG-21 Bison.
Not alone, but first among equals:
Avani was commissioned along with two other women who created history. In June 2016, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were inducted as the first three women fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force, after the government opened the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. While all three broke barriers, it was Avani who first took the solo flight in a fighter jet, paving the way for women in combat aviation.
Today Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi continues to inspire a new generation of women aspiring to wear fighter wings.
