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Group Captain Tapesh Shankar
| Service No & Branch | 20444 F(P) |  | |||||||||
| Date of Birth: -- --- ---- | Commissioned: 16 Dec 1989 | Course: 144 Course | |||||||||
| Service End: | Retired on 02 Apr 2013 Voluntary Retirement | Nick Name : | |||||||||
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| Google the Bharat Rakshak Website for : "T Shankar" | |||||||||||
| Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) | ||||
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| Sqn Ldr | Tapesh Shankar | 20444 F(P) | Award Date 17 Oct 2004 | Announced 15 Aug 2005 |
| Details : | Squadron Leader Tapesh Shankar (20444) Flying (Pilot) is on the posted strength of a FRA Squadron since 1 (5 Dec 2002. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, holding Cat/IR B Master Green on IL- 78 MKI aircraft.On 17 Oct 2004 Sqn Ldr Shankar was detailed to fly from Trivandrum to Mauritius as part of Ex Golden Eagle. After an hour and fifteen minutes of flying at an altitude of 28,000 feet over the Indian Ocean in adverse weather conditions, the main hydraulic system of the aircraft failed. In addition, as the aircraft was manoeuvred to turn, the right spoiler, which assists in turning the aircraft, got stuck in the extended position. It led to a serious multiple emergency situations in which prompt actions and careful handling of the ac was imperative. He tackled the emergency in a very calm and professional manner and decided to return to Trivandrum. He flew the complete route manually, as the autopilot was not able to hold the existing excessive control forces. The control forces were so high that he had to fly with the control column deflected to the left by almost 70 degrees and also use his knees to hold it in the required position. On the final approach for landing at Trivandrum, as the speed was reduced to approach speed, the aircraft started side-slipping and became almost uncontrollable, because of the reduced effectiveness of ailerons vis-a-vis the spoilers. Sqn Ldr Shankar understood the cause of the difficulty and immediately increased speed till just short of touch down to counter the sideslip by flying with cross controls and executed a perfect landing. In the absence of the main hydraulic system, wheel-braking effectiveness was also reduced. The handling of the emergency by him illustrates his professional competence and knowledge of IL-78 aircraft systems. Prompt actions taken by him explicitly endorse his presence of mind and exceptional situational awareness. By smoothly recovering a disabled aircraft in adverse weather and in extremely difficult and trying conditions. ik; saved a strategic asset and valuable lives on board.For this act of gallantry, competence and demonstration of professional excellence, the Hon'ble President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)' to Squadron Leader Tapesh Shankar. | |||
| Unit : 78 Sqn | ||||
| Reference : Gazette of India dated 26th November 2005 - No.130-Pres/2005 dated 15th August 2005 & AFD2006 Investiture | ||||
The data in the header section of this page comes from the Gazette of India - Click here to see the source
The URL for this page is http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/20444
Note: All the data available here is publicly available in the Gazette of India, published by the Indian Government, or from public domain sources, press releases about Awards and Right-To-Information (RTI) Requests. Additionally data shared by veterans is added to the page with permission. No data with respect to serving officers below the rank of AVM is displayed. Information in Gazette of India and Award citations and photographs as released by the Indian Air Force are the only details displayed.