"I feel fit and fine as ever. It was a great experience, " this was how Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes reacted after alighting from Sukhoi-30 MKI at Lohegaon Airbase, Pune. Sporting G-suit, air-mask and protective headgear, the seventy-two year-old minister became the first and the oldest Defence Minister in the country, probably in the world, to fly in a fighter aircraft. It was an historic event. "It's dream come true", Mr Fernandes said adding that he even had the opportunity of "downing" an enemy target, though a simulated one.

After hovering around the city of Pune for more than 40 minutes at a speed of 1500 km per hour, Defence Minister got the 'feel' of what fighter pilots go through mid-air.After undergoing a thorough medical check-up and a light pre-flight breakfast, the beaming minister wore the G-suit and proceeded to aircraft with confidence. Against the background of deafening noise and thrust pressure, the aircraft took off from the Lohegaon Airbase at 8.30 am. Immediately, another Su-30 MK1 took off to play the role of 'enemy'.

During flight, the minister practised basic manoeuvres familiarising himself with the aircraft handling techniques. He headed eastwards and accelerated to a supersonic speed. He was demonstrated the multi-mode radar that is fitted on the aircraft. He also got acquainted with various displays in the glass cockpit and state-of-the-art avionics systems fitted on the aircraft.

The minister landed back in full view of the mediapersons. Wg Cdr NS Jamwal flew the aircraft. Commenting on Defence Minister’s skill, Wg Cdr Jamwal said, "He took to the flight as a fish to water."

"This is really a milestone of sorts for somebody of the Defence Minister's age, particularly when he had never had a similar experience before", said Air Marshal SP Tyagi, AOC-in-C, South-Western Air Command.

Later, speaking to the press, the minister said that the problems being faced by the fighter pilots in cockpits would be addressed to. "The pilot has to fly the aircraft, chart the course of the enemy on the radar, control a whole range of buttons and go through a physical situation which can knock him out", he added. He informed that the ministry has been toying with the idea of accommodating a copilot in supersonic fighter jets.

Regarding the frequent crashing of MiG fighter aircraft, the minister said the media was doing a great injustice to brave pilots by calling the war horses "flying coffins" and creating a fear psychosis. He stated that the number of accidents has been on the decline as compared to the past.