Pilot call for Ratan

After retiring from Tata Sons, Ratan Tata could probably turn his hobby of flying into a profession, if AirAsia promoter Tony Fernandes has his way.

During a media conference call on Thursday, Fernandes said in a lighter vein that he had asked Ratan Tata to become an A-320 pilot for his airline.

“If he flies for us, we can probably save some costs and maybe charge a bit more,” Fernandes said.

75-year-old Ratan Tata holds a pilot’s licence and is known to fly various aircraft in the Tata Group’s fleet.

However, pilots say it will be near impossible for Ratan Tata to fly a commercial A-320 flight for AirAsia. A commercial flight carries paying passengers.

“Ratan Tata has crossed the permissible age of 65 years, beyond which no one is allowed to fly a commercial flight in India. Being an accomplished pilot, he could probably undergo the stipulated training to fly an Airbus 320, clear the medical examination and then apply for special permission to the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation to operate a special flight like an inaugural flight,” said a pilot with a private airline.

ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in

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