President Dr. Pratibha Patil flies in Sukhoi 30 MKI Fighter Jet

Pune: Breaking News! President Dr. Pratibha Patil created history by becoming the first Woman President to wear the special G-suit (anti-gravity suit) and fly in a Sukhoi 30 MKI Fighter Jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Sukhoi 30 jet took off from Pune's Lohegaon Air Force base and flew for 22 minutes with President Dr. Patil on board.

The President's flight was commanded by Wing Commander S Sajan of the Rhino Squadron. The Sukhoi jet flew at 700-800 km/hr, lower than the supersonic mark of 1,100 km/hr. The 74-year-old Dr. Patil also became the oldest woman to board the Sukhoi 30 fighter jet.

President Dr. Pratibha Patil, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had undergone a three-month preparation to fly in a Sukhoi-30 jet. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam had flown in a Sukhoi 30 MKI Fighter Jet in 2006.