18 January,2011 06:41 AM IST | | Madhusudan Maney
Swedish defence firm offers a chance to combat aircraft lovers to pilot this piece of state-of-the-art
Your dreams of flying a fighter aircraft may soon come true. A Swedish defence firm has brought an opportunity to fly one of the world's most advanced multi-role fighter jet after answering some questions posted on the company's website to Indian combat aircraft lovers.
Copyright Saab ABu00a0 Pic/Stefan Kalm
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The person who wins the contest will become the first-ever Indian to fly Gripen, the fighter aircraft, during the Aero India air show in the city from February 9-13. One can enter the Gripen Top Gun contest by answering a set of questions or flying any flight simulation and entering it at www.gripentopgun.com.
The entries will be judged by top Indian and Swedish pilots to select the few who will get a shot at flying a real aircraft simulator. Out of the five chosen ones, one will get to fly the JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
A unique experience
Edvard de la Motte, campaign director, Gripen International India, said, "We are happy to create an opportunity for people to know more about the aircraft, its history, and technologies behind the product through a unique contest."
The contest also has a host of prizes such as fighter pilot flying suits, aviator glasses, exclusive calendars signed by Swedish test pilots, key tags, badges, stickers and pens for those who get it right and win in the draw of lots.
Air Marshall B K Pandey said, "Dignitaries such as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Prathiba Patil, Ratan Tata have flown in fighter aircrafts. I don't think why it would be difficult for any commoner to sit in the second cockpit as passenger."
Tech specs
Combat radius: 800 km
Air to air: Long range search and track, multiple targets (up to 10) track while scan, short range, wide angle search and track, automatic gun and missile fire control
Air to ground: Search and track, ground and sea target track while scan, high-resolution mapping, and air to surface ranging
Rs 305 cr Approximate price of a Gripen
