1. Shukla
2. Sonpar
3. Madhur Sahay
4. Gill
4. Gill
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Maya Shankar Shukla
I was born On 17 th September , 1939 in a village twenty Kms from UNNAO. My Grandfather was a big Zamindar. He had
property at Commilla Distt (Now B'ladesh) where my father was looking after. I stayed with Grandfather till 1947 Aug and shifted to Kanpur there After.
Admitted to Christ Church School and After High School shifted to Christ Church College. Rev RG Slater was principle avery simple man. He never spoke . The College had Only 850 Students.
When in class 12th I was astonished to see in blues a very smart Officer Sqn Ldr J.N. Kirloskar. Came to know that first Squadron Of NCC Air Wing was formed . The notice board calling for volenteers was on display. I decided to go for the interview. Sqn Ldr Kirloskar saw me. He fired & asked me to come next day properly Dressed. I went to the tailor who did his best. Next day Sqn Ldr Kirloskar was not that harsh and I was selected in Nov 1956.
6 UP Air Sqn was the first to get T-22 Gliders, Iwas impressed and did duel flying with instructors like Sqn Ldr Bruce Peers. Power flying also started and did solo on piper Cub On 6 Sep 1957. Flying was most enjoyable and only me was there with piper -cub, piper supercruzers and chipmung. I started missing Classes to Fly. Parents were not Kept Informed.
Against all Calculation, my name was on Notice board as short of attendance. This was Shocking. So one Sunday . I went to Principal's residence. He was playing with his daughter 2.5 years old . Instead firing me , he welcomed &I told him all . He said he is very happy with my Flying. Asked me to see notice board next day. He took three lectures, the Class was full. Subject was Ethics. After attending these lectures, my name was taken out. Thus , I passed BA . Got selected to 79th PC and joined flying College in 28Dec 1959.
When seniors arrived on 01 Jan 60, we were ragged. Flying started On HT-2, Flt Lt Malik was instructor. He was very happy with me and got solo the (First one in Course) after 5.30 Hrs.
I had done 26 hrs of Flying , when our course-mate Dr Varma (died as Air marshal) saw me in the crew -room. After examining , he asked to report sick. MI room rushed me to Af Hospital as Infective Hepatitice case. I was put in isolation ward. But the treatment was fine and after 50 days Iwas asked to go to CME Delhi. They gave me sick leave. I reached Kanpur. At the end , when I came to flying College the course had gone on midterm leave. After B'fast, I reached Flt Office. Instructor Flt Lt B.R. Malik cancelled his leave. Next morning, I started six to seven sorties a day. Month of May , visibility at times 400Mtrs. Ninth day Sqn Ldr Lalkaka took me for final test, He was impressed with aerobatics and asked me to return. Winds were cross and very strong. On final approach I gradually increased power and landed with (full power) On three wheels.
After de-briefing, he congratulated me and allowed to go on remaining leave. One tragedy occured during those nine days. Flt Cdr Flt Lt U Misra died in Vampire a/c. He too was from Kanpur.
On return from leave , we were taken to T-6 G. On first day my instructor told me that I need not attend briefing. He asked that he has taken permission from Flt Lt PJ Mehra the Flight Cdr. Much against my liking I went to tarmac after signing F-700. Instructor started the Aircraft . Iwas lost with loose Helmet. He got Airborne and asked me to handle a/c. To my great surprise instructor told me not to waste time in sector reccy and turned towards Airfield. Three Approaches were made and the instructor was thrilled to see me landing. The Flight Cdr was approached by instructor to take me for solo check. After some time he returned signalling me to switch off. The Instructor was pleading, that tomorrow if he does not leave me solo , he would leave me solo. Next was Afternoon Flying, Idid all flying before sleeping.
Next day as we reached Flt Office, my instructor asked to start up aircraft. Flt Cdr came. We taxied out and got airborne. On down wind Flt Cdr took aircraft and instead going on correct course he slightly drifted to the left. On base log I found that I can't make it to final . Like this I kept alert. We did six approaches. Finally ,I touched down perfect On three. The Flt Cdr got down at ACP and asked me to go solo.Flt cdr briefed that I should not go round unnecessary since sun sets early in winter. I got Airborne.Perfect Down wing leg. On finals,I was undershooting. I Opened power above 500 ft. When found that I am ok, I reduced power and the a/c landed very nicely in the first 300 yards of runway.
Went to pick up FltCdr , who came and asked to open Canopy and gave me big Thup Asked me to walk Upto Flt Office with parachute On.
Imagine my fate by the time reached Flt Office, Course mates had gone. My Instructor was Sympathetic.Offered tea and Charminar. I broke down.A little later, On Advice of Instructor, Iwent to Flt Office.I Appologised,Flt Lt Mehra and Flt Lt G Sen were there. I explained the whole thing and was asked to go home.
There-after flying was smooth and finished 28 hrs T6-G much ahead of the course. One day , I was asked to start up a/c for instrument flying with AEB which was just formed. Flt Lt Ford kept me inside the hood and got airborne. He did many tricks, left climbing turn some times decending turn etc. He asked to open the hood, He was pleased told instructors , that my Flying was fine.Like this , I was in crew room , waiting others to come upto my level. That was bad. Instructors were giving me other works .So one day , I went to Sqn Ldr Lalkaka CFI , and told him that , I was not happy. He asked not to tell anyone and go home.Come next day, and tell him. He heard in detail and asked me to put in writing which I did.
He told me that he will do the needful. All the trouble started next day , CI WgCdr RKBSingh fired the hell. Asked me to go court get certificate surrending all flying. My Instructor came to room and was surprised. Asked me not to do. But , I maintained my course, Next day commandant called me, He was very nice and said " Only birds and fools fly. Birds avoid night flying fools still fly". He assured me that I be allowed to go home without paying any Compensation. But command HQ asked for psychological report.So I was sent to MH New Delhi. The Psychologist , (a Col) looked him self a Psychic. He send me back and asked six hours of Flying report. The next day Flt lt Kanagat took me off. I did perfect flying and completed six hours, After few weeks was cleared to go home.
Reaching home ,My parents were happy to see me. I started to prepare for IPS exam. Then within days , a bill of Rs 17000/= was sent by Air HQs. This was bad. I destroyed the letter. In three months time , one more letter from Air HQ, to join Navigators course.
This I considered it worst.I did not reply. Then came third letter, asking to join, A&SD course for short service commission. Imagine my mental state.I decided to join and after training given PC. I broke down without the world knowing about it. Was selected for ATC training. Went to FTW, for practical training. There I met Flt Lt G Sen who welcomed me. Asked that I should fly with him. When I told him all about , He was sorry. At Tambaram, Flt Lt Upgate took the course for simulator flying. Asked me to get in and fly.
After the course , I was posted to 2 Wing, Poona. When , reached Rly Stn it was most surprising. F/o Roach was at station. Took meto Mess,Asked to have hot water bath in his room. Next room ready for me. He took me to Bar gave me a drink and vanished. Next day , he taxied -out in Hunter. Before take Off, he Asked Controllers name. He did the shortest take off putting a/c vertically up. There , Sonpar, AK Singh(late), Sarin(late) and me formed group.
Seven months later wef 16 Aug 63 I was postedto 15 Wing, Bareilly. No one Knew Air Force. Took a Tonga and reached Civil Airport. Army personnel were working . They said that this is Air Force base. When asked where are AF personnel, one Lt told me to have tea and he would take me. Disposed Tonga and later reached very Old building in city in a three tunner. There were only six Officers. Along with them every day, we used to go to airfield. Tents were pitched up on short RW and it became our living place after sometime.Wg Cdr Ducose was stn Cdr. He devided portfolios . I was made OC flying , SATCO and many more appointments.This carried on for 2 years, After that Officers Mess was built and we were asked to shift. We did reluctantly. I was made Mess Secy, and food member.
One day Stn Cdr rang me in the evening telling me that he is coming and there will be night landing of Dakota a/c. He came to Mess and informed the sad loss of AVM Pinto in air accident . He took Jeep and went to Nainital to pickup AVM Pinto's daughter. There were no goose -necks. I got one MWO Desai who had come from Poona. He put Lanterns on R/W along with only eleven ACs.They were awake. I after visit came back to mess and waited for call from MWO Desai.It was very cold Dec and Ihad asound sleep and woke up early in the morning and reached R/W. Half an hour later green cartrages fired . Dakota landed safe.Next to parking area follow me Jeep took the A/C at parking. There were only eleven airmen including driver of the Jeep. Alittle later , Stn Cdr came back with AVM's daughter and the A/C took off.This was the first Air Force landing/ Take off
Few days later I was told to get ready for receiving Six Packets and a Dacota SQN. They came, Massive airdrop of food and many things were under taken to help Nepal after earthquake for three days.At night the aircrew, at officers Mess in the evening wanted bar. It was not possible. I detailed one Swamy a Tamilian to sell liquor bottles ie; only , Rum, Whisky and Gin. Sqn Commander of packet fired me and rang up STN CDR. Stn Cdr and he had lot of discussion.
Things were coming up. One day SQn CDr and Flight Cdr of Gnat Sqn from Ambala came and saw. Few months later in early 1965 Two squadrons of Gnat moved in and flying started. Course Mate Oza and one Junior Maine one day got airborne for ( one Vs one) overhead in clean a/c.Thirty five minutes later, Maine shouting, and asking for emergency homing. There were no homers. Iwas stumped and kept quite.I told the Cpl to inform every body that the a/c is ejecting. I did not speak to anyone. Iheard sound of a/c and spoke. It was Oza overhead. He asked me to bring back Maine. I called Maine.He was at 17500' with fuel showing zero. I told Maine to get a bearing fm Agra. He yelled and got 240 bearing from Agra. I asked him to maintane240. Alittle later, I realised that course 240 could be towards NE. Small shock and I compared in map and found that since he did not report hills in sight he is certainly in NW. I gave him a course correction to steer 200 and frequently asking to confirm airfield in sight. Told him that he will be approaching Bareilly city. Few minutes later , he called in sight. Told him to approach from town. He did and landed. Every body from both the SQNs came and saw, till Maine came straight from a/c. Looking blood red. He ignored every one and lifted me shouting you did it. Looking at his condition W/C Gole got bar opened at 1100hrs. We all reached there. Sqn Ldr Chaturvedi said to me that I should tell what made me do. I was sent to Com HQ AVM Dewan was appreciative but he fired back at the station.
W/C Bharat Singh took me along Squadron to Ambala On 02 Sep65 . There was traffic . At dusk one could see intensity that late O.P. Sharma, flamed out and landed on the opposite side on his own. On 14 Sep65, Iwas asked to report to WAC Com HQ. On reaching Palam, Iwas welcomed by F/o Gupta and asked to pastime at ATC. On 26 September65, I left for Bareilly. All my clothes at Ambala were lost. I was told that I was standing by to go Lahore with a team.
On reaching Bareilly , took short leave went to Kanpur to see my wife on finals of family way.
Once back to Bareilly, I was posted to 12 Wing. It was extremely busy and I was the only Controller.The boss W/C Sud an (Observer),He had no idea of Air Traffic.Two Mig Sqns one of them Mig Trainer, two AN-12 Sqns and one MI-4 Helicopter SQN plus usual traffic. Life usedto start at 5 in the morning and continue till late at night every day for two and half months. One day while attending Flt Safety monthly , I brought to the notice of STN CDR. He detailed four pilots from each TPT Sqn. Iwas to train them and use. OHR raised by STN CDR .Brought A/C Chandan Singh He was lost and had no solution.All the crew , fighters and transport were happy with me. I heard that I am being posted to Adampur. There is no accomodation. Next day I reached AirHQ. Told a very senior Officer the plight I had faced.
He was extremely nice to me. I wanted to quit ATC. Instead , he asked me where I would like to go. I told him Kanpur and in three days time posting came.
Reached Kanpur. Acomfortable place. Test pilots, Test flying and I enjoyed. Three years , later I was posted to EAC HQ. Stayed only for seven months and attached to FTW. AOCIn C tried to give another officer , but Air HQ did not oblidge. Journey started,A long one. Reached Calcutta next day night. No accomodation any where , with three small children we parked in open in the first class waiting room. Managed to get some food. Next day the train to Secundrabad was at 1300 hrs. After great difficulty managed to get coupe and reached Secundrabad two days later early in the morning. I was lost as to where to go, but Sqn Ldr PK Jain came with three tunner with laskars. Some relief , we reached Officers Mess. Given Happy Home a huge area with 14 rooms . After B'fast, I reached with S/L Jain to officeand took over as Chief Instructor ATCOT . Training started with two courses, Officers from Banladesh, Zambia,Pilots , Navigators and ADM ATC officers. Life was very busy. But my posting did not come even after eight months. Told STNCDR G/C Kalra . He rang up SASO TRG Com and posting came. We hardly settled down.Two years later posting to DASI came. Reached New Delhi. A/C Wollen, WgCdr Jog , Sqn Ldr Tipnis and Sqn Ldr Ben Brar and self. Started touring with team. Reached Tejpur, Hashimara, Guwahati, Life became very busy. I was the first Officer Categorised Cat'A'. I gave Cat 'A' to others deserving. For Eleven months no accomodation, family at Secundrabad. After , I got accomodation , family joined. Many interesting things happened. I was asked to go to Gorakhpur. All by myself with 15 days notice in AVRO a/c. Reached STN and called on GpCapt STNCDR. He did not pay any attention. After seven days, recahed STNCDR to de-brief. He was again not interested.Came back to Delhi and prepared a short report with facts. A/C Wollen was , extremely happy. The report went to VcAS and Air Chief and I got pat. Things continued till one day (P) Staff asked me to go to some ADM Job. A/c Wollen was happy. He said it is very good.
I went to Wollen, Air Cmdr Suri was with him. Without bothering I said this is not fare. When I got out , Air Cmdre Suri held my hand and took me to his office on 5 th floor.Asked me what I want. I wanted to go to Kanpur. His deputy informed that I was not qualified, Suri said not to worry. First post him and then send him for 45 days course:- He will be OC LU. It was done . The Job was having all units under CAC and some Units Of Maint Command. Did my best with the job.
After two years inspite my putting a request to Air HQ to keep me at place where Hospitals are available, they posted me to Jodhpur. I protested, they posted me to Chandigarh.This time in Dec 1980. Promoted to WgCdr. It was better place than 1966, on completion of 2 1/2 years , I was posted to Air HQ IV Pay Commission. A new life. Air Cmdre Purohit, earlier boss at Chandigarh was in number two and thirty five days later AVM Subramanium as number one arrived. It was strainous . One afternoon I told AVM that I am not happy with Purohit. He said I should not worry and he will give me a good report. I gave him a short write up in protest. He went to AOA and asked me to see AOA. I went to AOA, He was firing. I said that I will not come to Air HQ, if I said wrong.You could check it from'P' Staff. However, I was given Non -Effective benefits like pension etc. For two years no one bothered me. On my own I got a tutor and slowly learnt. I had become an expert in three services. On final day, Short of Air Chiefs room, AVM Subramanium asked me that I do the presentation. Vice Chief Suggested few changes. Air Chief Marshal Katre , heard. I got confident. Gave them twelve proposals and thirteenth one, I said should be where I expected. People were happy to see 13th proposal accepted by Govt. I was posted to Def Ministry to see the acceptance of proposal. I used to visit Air HQ. AirCdr Stona was in 'P' Staff . He told me he is trying best to see few days of W/C Fernandis at TRG COM. I requested Him to get him on phone. When Suzi my co -pupil came on line ,he was awake, while I am speaking , Stona got to see his mail. After I finished, Stona suggested that I should Take few days , leave and attend Suzi's Farewell. Icould Appear for an interview at HAL. I did as told. On interview day I reached HAL in uniform. Waited till 1100 hrs. Insisted that I should be called next. Inside a big room five people interviewed . Some one asked me , " Young man , How quickly I can join HAL" That put me off and replied that I am not thinking of joining but happy to meet you all. Left the room and rushed to Air Marshal Wollen. When I reached I conveyed to staff officer that I have come to see Air Marshal Wollen . Few steps and Wollen came. He was happy and took me inside office. Lots Of talk. He inquired my coming. Told him about interview. He was happy and said he is trying Rakesh sharma too and in the afternoon he would tell me the result. To contact him at 02.30 hrs . He told that I have topped the list.
I did not Know a thing about HAL. Two days later Stona informs the result and asked me to put in papers . Later Stona did his best but my name was not cleared. I approached AVM kaul, He talked about the world but did not answer my question. Next day I reached AOP AM Subramanium. He asked me to come tomorrow. He explained that I am going to Avdi as STNCdr and only four postings till I become Air Marshal. Itold him that I do not think and he gave in writing. Did not know what to do. Air Marshal Wollen came to Delhi. Met him and told all about. He asked me to wait. As I was starting my scooter at Vayu Bhavan SCGO Mr Sharma informs me that he has cleared my name. I joined HAL New Delhi On 14th February 1988 and retired On Sep1997. A wonderful experience.
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SURESH KUMAR SONPAR
FAMILY BIO DATA
AIR VICE MARSHALL SURESH KUMAR SONPAR
D.O.B --- 08 JUN 40 -- RETIRED 30 JUN 96
MARRIED ON 28 APR 68
WIFES NAME --- KAVITA -- D.O.B 03 SEP 47
ELDER DAUGHTER -- GEETANJALI -- D.O.B 28 SEP71--- MARRIED TO RAMESH SONI-- SETTLED IN USA .ONE GRANDCHILD == ANOUSHKA.
YOUNGER DAUGHTER --- SHEFALI -- D.O.B 07 SEP 76. MARRIED TO ABHISHEK CHATURVEDI --LIVING IN BANGALORE.
PEN PICTURE
WAS BORN IN KARACHI IN PREPARTITIONED INDIA. DID MY ENTIRE SCHOOLING IN JABALPUR AS A HOSTELLER , MY FATHER BEING A POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS FREQUENTLY TRANSFERRED. JOINED NDA AT THE AGE OF 16 EVEN AS AWAITING THE SCHOOL LEAVING SENIOR CAMBRIDGE EXAM RESULTS . HAD OPTED FOR THE AIRFORCE AS MY SERVICE OF CHOISE AS ALWAYS WANTED TO FLY FIGHTER S FROM THE TIME I SAW SOME SPITFIRES FLYING IN AMBALA IN 1950 WHILE ON A SCHOOL
BREAK. THE URGE TO FLY FIGHTERS WAS REENFORCED ON READING ABOUT FIGHTER PILOTS LIKE DOUGLAS BADAR AND ABOUT OTHER ACES .”FLY FOR YOUR LIFE”, “REACH FOR THE SKY “WERE LIKE THE BIBLE TO ME.NOTWITHSTANDING THE ---WHAT I CONSIDERED--- TORTURE OF ‘ARMY/PONGO LIKE TRAINING AT THE NDA, THE THREE YEARS THERE WERE FRUITFUL AND HELPED MAKE SOME GOOD LIFEL0NG FRIENDS.I COULD NOT RECONSILE TO ACCEPTING THE NEED FOR THE TRAINING
GIVEN IN THE NDA THAT I COSIDERED MORE SUITABLE FOR INFANTRY TROOPS , THAN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS NEEDED FOR A PILOT, ESPECIALLY A FUTURE FIGHTER PILOT .THE SAVING GRACE WAS IN THE THIRD YEAR WHEN I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE PURE “AIR FORCE “ATMOSPHERE AND STARTED SOME GLIDING LESSONS.THAT WAS BLISS AS THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN IN THE AIR .IT REENFORCED MY ZEAL TO BE A FLIER. THE MOVE TO THE NEXT STAGE OF’ POWERED’ FLYING (THATS AN OXYMORON AS THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED WAS THE H T -2) REALLY LIT UP MY LIFE. THE WONDERFUL T 6 G (TEXAN) THERAFTER WAS BLISS.THE FACT THAT I GOT THE FLYING TROPHY IN THAT STAGE AND EVEN IN THE NEXT STAGE ON THE VAMPIRE , WAS SOMETHING THAT GAVE ME GREAT SATIFACTION.THE ONLY THING NOW LEFT TO MAKE MY LIFE COMPLETE WAS GETTING TO FLY A REAL FIGHTER IN AN OPERATIONAL SQUADRON.THAT DREAM WAS FULFILLED WHEN I GOT POSTED TO 7 Sqn EQUIPPED WITH THE UNBELIEVEABLY BEAUTIFUL FLYING MACHINE-- THE HUNTER.THOSE DAYS ARE , PERHAPS, THE HAPPIEST OF MY LIFE AS THEY WERE SOLELY DEVOTED TO THE PURE JOY OF FLYING. NO DISTRACTION LIKE OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ALL OFFICERS HAVE TO PERFORM, COULD DILUTE THIS ENJOYMENT. A MOVE AWAY TO 37, ANOTHER HUNTER Sqn WAS BUT THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF POSTINGS INCLUDING TO BEING SELECTED TO BE A PART OF THE FIRST “SUPERSONIC “ AIRCRAFT Sqn 28 WAS MANNED BY A SELECT SET OF OFFICERS. SO SELECT THAT THE CO (DILBAGH SINGH)AND THE SENIOR FLIGHT COMMANDER (MALLY WOLLEN) HAD EACH ALREADY COMMANDED, NOT ONE BUT TWO, FIGHTER Sqs ! THE JUNIOR FLIGHT COMMANDER (POLLY MEHRA ) WAS ALSO AN EX-CO !. IT WAS IN THIS RARIFIED ATMOSPHERE THAT I GOT THE FIRST TASTE OF OPS FLYING IN 1965. UNFORETUNATELY, THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT ALL VERY PLEASANT. WHILE AT PATHANKOT WE WERE CAUGHT WITH OUR PANTS DOWN AND MALLY WOLLEN’S AND MY MiG 21 WERE SHOT UP IN THE MOST UNCEREMONIOUS MANNER , ON THE GROUND . THE PREEMITIVE STRIKE BY 8 0DD PAF FIGHTERS HAD A “DUCK SHOOT “ AT OUR EXPENSE . EVEN, AS THE STRIKE THAT WENT ON FOR OVER TEN MINUTES DESTROYING MANY OTHER AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND, I COULDNT HELP BUT ENVY THE PAF PILOTS AND WISHED I WAS GIVEN SUCH A OPPORTUNITY ! MANY MOONS LATER I DID GET A CHANCE IN 1971. BY NOW AS A SENIOR FLT CMDR IN A MiG 21 Sqn, I DID THREE COUNTER AIR MISSIONS ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE OPS OVER THE THEN EAST PAKISTAN. MORE FUN AND GAMES IN THE WESTERN SECTOR WHERE MY UNIT WAS LATER DEPLOYED SATIATED, TO A LARGE EXTEND, MY URGE FOR REVENGE FOR THE HUMILIATION OF 1965. MARRIAGE, HAVING MY FIRST DAUGHTER, STAFF COLLEGE, STINT IN Air HQ, AND (THANKFULLY) BACK TO FIGHTER FLYING DUTIES . THIS TIME ON THE MARUT. F C L AND COMMAND OF THE Sqn FOLLOWED BY A TENURE IN IRAQ TRYING TO TEACH THOSE CAMEL HERDERS TO FLY. I VERY HAPPILY RETURNED TO HOMELAND TO HAVE ANOTHER DAUGHTER AND A TENURE AGAIN IN Air Hq AS JDOPS (AIR DEFENCE) A JOB AFTER MY OWN HEART, AS IT DEALT WITH FIGHTER Sqns. COMMAND OF A FLYING BASE , BHUJ AND THEN BACK TO Air Hq AS (HEAVEN HELP ME !) JDPO . A YEAR AS DIRECTOR OPS (OFFENSIVE ) AND N D C, GOT ME BACK TO THE FIELD AND FLYING AS A O C PUNE . AFTER PROMOTION AND VARIED ASSIGNMENTS BEST FORGOTTEN , HAVE RETIRED IN BANGALORE FOR THE LAST 15 0DD YEARS.THESE YEARS HAVE BEEN THE BEST OF MY LIFE . PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THE THINGS I WANT TO DO LIKE GOLF EVERY OTHER DAY AND NO MORE O R P S ! THE TWO DAUGHTERS ARE GONE AS HAPPILY MARRIED WOMEN IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. I HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO DO NOTHING---IF I SO WISH . AND DOING NOTHING TAKES SO MUCH EFFORT, IT IS UNBELIEVEABLE! BUT MY READING, TWO WHISKIES, CONTACT WITH MY GRAND CHILD AND KEEPING OUT OF THE HAIR OF MY EVER QUIETLY SUFFERING WIFE KAVITA, KEEPS ME BOUYANT. LIFE HAS BEEN VERY KIND TO ME, THE ETERNAL SINNER . THE EXPECTED ACHES AND PAINS WHICH ARE ROUTINE WITH AGE ARE PAR FOR THE COURSE .SHALL CONTINUE ON THIS COURSE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BEING GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT’S BEEN.
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Madhur Sahay
I am Madhur, wife of Air Commodore Sanjiv Sahay also fondly known as 'Popo'. After his accident in Jodhpur, I moved to Gurgaon, just outside New Delhi to live with my two sons, Samir (42 years) and Subhash (39 years).
The Government of India has allotted me a Petrol Pump at Gurgaon for my husband's service to the country, which we commissioned in March 1999 (We are located near Signature Towers on NH-8, Delhi-Jaipur Highway)
Samir is a Captian & Instructor Pilot flying the A-320 & 319 for Silk Air, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. He lives with his wife Shubigi Rao, who is a well known visual artist in Singapore. She is also a University Lecturer at LaSalle College of Arts.
Subhash has joined me in my business since its beginning, and lives in Gurgaon. His wife Rohini, is the daughter of Air Commodore RMS Datta, whom some of you may know. She is a primary school teacher at idiscoveri and my 7 years old grandson Rehan, goes to The Heritage School. Being keen on sports like his Grandpa, has joined the football league in school. And says he too wants to be a pilot.
I continue to live in Palam Vihar, a relatively peaceful place surrounded by wonderful friends. I practice Yoga & meditation in the mornings and in my free time catch up on reading books, watching movies with friends at the nearby theatre. I have also adopted a dog 'Pearl' who keeps me quite busy otherwise.
My contact details
F-2638 Palam Vihar
Gurgaon 122017
Mobile: 9811021326
email: madhursahay28@gmail.com
Here are some photos....
With Samir and Popo
Subhash and Samir
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Amarjit Singh Gill
After the passing out ceremonies and celebrations, the postings to various squadrons were announced and I was going to #108 squadron, based in Adampur, the role of the squadron was low level reconnaissance and photography. This was probably the most interesting and enjoyably flying I ever did, the aircraft was Vampire T- 55, there were three cameras, one left, right and one forward looking in the nose. The flying was done anywhere from deck level to 300' AGL.
There was a skirmish with China and America offered some training for our pilots, consequently a bunch of pilots were sent to States, The courses were run by USAF at San Antonio in Texas and Randolph AFB near Las Vegas, Nevada, on TO-33 and F-86 aircraft, both aircraft were easy and fun to fly. At he end of the course a competition were held for the gunnery and bombing events. I was the only one who was awarded top gun in all three events. On completion of the course which lasted about seven months we returned to India.
Upon return I was posted to # 23 Squadron flying Gnat Mk 1 aircraft,
a fire cracker of an aircraft,
I had one Incidentce, I had a mid air with Flt Lt Badia, we were both on a high level dog fight sortie, we both lost sight of each other, at 30,000, I brushed his tail fin, lost one drop tank and Badia lost tail fin and he went into a spin, ejected safely and was back on line soon after, I was able to bring back the aircraft and landed safely. Nobody was reprimanded. There was no airborne radar and no ground control radar either.
Then we had a skirmish with Pakistan in 1965, wasn't a long war, had an opportunity to lock horns with PAF 104 and I did open fire at him and during a short dog fight he did fire a missile which went way off course, any way after the war ended I was awarded Vayu Sena Medal.
Following year 1966 I was sent for Mig-21 conversion course with 28 squadron in Adampur. After the conversion returned back to 23 Squadron for a while, # 45 squadron was formed flying Mig-21 and based in Chandigarh and I was posted to it.
This was my last posting and I left the Air Force in early 1968 and moved to UK. While I was in UK I wrote my CPL written exams at the Canadian Embassy and passed it. Applied for immigration and it came through fairly quickly, boarded a cruise ship and was in Toronto with in a week, Had to take my flight test etc so I decided to teach flying for the next one year to build up some hours. Once I had 1200 hours I applied for Canadian ATPL, got it and I was ready for some real flying .
I got hired by a company based in Ottawa which specialised in high Arctic flying. My fist assignment was in the high Arctic, well above the Arctic circle (66'.33 North), to a place called Eurica (80'North 86'West ,Magnetic variation 75'West). These areas are in the compass unreliability areas I.e. the magnetic north pole is always moving around in a circle, on a given day it could be at 77.5' North, 105'West. Those days the Astro compass was most reliable aid, but you needed sun to take a bearing shot and at night you need moon, stars to take a shot, here we have 6 months of daylight and 6 months of night. Flying was extremely challenging. In the daylight months we used all kinds of single engine and twin engine Canadian DHC 6 aircraft, but in winter or night months only DHC-6 was used.
Our company and another one in France were only two companies in the world, which had the capability to detect uranium from airborne electronic system and most of the developing countries could not afford to hire us, However, under the umbrella of CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) they could employ us. Thus we ended up doing the part of Sahara belonging to Niger in Africa and Brazil and Argentine. Africa took a year to complete, Brazil and Argentine took about 8 months each.
I ferried a United Nations DHC-6 from Canada to Nepal. The trip took us from Goose Bay Canada to Iceland, Netherlands ,Egypt, Pakistan, Delhi and Nepal.
There were lots of other ferries to Africa and South America as well.
Then the company I worked for merged with the first company I worked for, I was appointed chief pilot with a strength of about 150 pilots with additional privileges of conducting proficiency checks, instrument renewal and route checks on company pilots on behalf of transport Canada.
I retired at the age of 65, no accidents, no fatalities and no mishaps during my civilian flying career.
I went through triple by pass surgery in 2007, now play tennis few times a week and enjoying retirement.
Aircraft flown
DHC-2 ,3 ,6. BEECHCRAFT-18, CESSNA CITATION (EXECUTIVE JET) ,DC-3 ,PBY-5A, GRUMMAN GOOSE,
SKYVAN SD30, BOEING 737,727 AND MANY, MANY SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT
