Etched in Memory

Test flying involves handling different class of airplanes in a variety of situations. Wg.Cdr.P.Ashoka's five decades of test flying is replete with incidents - some exhilarating, a few momentarily challenging and many leading to major flight emergencies. This painting is an attempt to portray Ashoka with a glimpse of five such incidents in his illustrious career. [b]Clockwise, from Top right[/b] No.1 Gnat Ejection: On 24th February 1960, while test flying a Gnat Mk.I, Ashoka entered into a spin at 46,000 feet off a manoeuvre from which recovery was not possible. He ejected from the aircraft at 12,000 feet. No.2 MiG-21 chute malfunction : On 24th January 1980, during take-off in a MiG-21, the braking chute streamed due to a mechanical fault as the aircraft was about to get airborne. Ashoka realised it in an instant, jettisoned the chute and continued the take-off! No.3 Avro single engine Take-off : During 1968 -75, Ashoka as Chief Test Pilot of HAL Kanpur, carried out extensive trials on HS748 aircraft. He did as many as 20 take-offs on the Avro with the right engine stopped. No.4 Care-free maneuvering in MiG-29 : Ashoka has performed aerobatics on most of the 100 different airplanes he has flown. Undercarriage retractions at very low levels, vertical climbs with snap rolls, steep turns and steep approaches are some of his favourite manoeuvres. A frozen moment in a MiG-29. No.5 Hansa's Wingover : Last but not least, Ashoka performing the characteristic 'Wingover' in NAL's Hansa-3 on 28th November 2002, when he completed 50 years of flying.