This June, Kalam will be first president to take Sukhoi spin

Sitting in the front cockpit of the aircraft, the President will be flown from the rear cockpit by Wing Commander Ajay Rathore, commanding officer of the squadron of the Lohegaon air force station. While the IAF said it was still drawing up the profile of the flight, it is likely to include a loop and barrel rolls and steep yaw turns.

Apart from being given a demonstration of what is by far the IAF8217;s most manoeuverable aircraft 8212; equipped as it is with vectored thrusts that allow almost unmatched agility at even slow speeds 8212; sources said the President would also be given a chance to do some 8216;8216;minor controlling8217;8217; after attaining cruising speed.

8216;8216;It is a great honour for the IAF that the Supreme Commander of the armed forces would be flying in our latest fighter,8217;8217; an IAF spokesperson said this evening. Wing Cdr Rathore met and briefed the President about his upcoming sortie today.

The President had expressed his keenness to familiarise himself with the Sukhoi recently, after which the IAF scrambled to organise the event at the earliest possible opportunity.