IAF chief earns para-wings

Air Force chief S P Tyagi today became the first chief in office to earn his ‘‘para-wings’’ by making a fifth successful para-jump from a helicopter at the Hindon Air Force base. Using a specialised parachute, similar to ones used by para-commandos, Tyagi jumped from a Mi-17 helicopter this morning, and landed four minutes later.

The Air chief will make another jump on Sunday along with 73 other IAF men as part of the 73rd anniversary celebrations of the IAF. His instructor Wg Cdr Jayashankar said, ‘‘Being an experienced pilot, he was quick in grasping all techniques. His levels of enthusiasm and fitness did the rest.’’ Tyagi, 60, began with tandem para-jumping and sport parachuting last year when he was Western Commander.

In another celebration, para-instructors Sqn Ldr KBS Samyal and Sqn Ldr Kamal Singh Oberh will take a plunge from a skyscraper in the Malaysian capital on September 30.