"A positive
attitude is a must to be a pilot"
-Wg
Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal, Test Pilot of LCA |
 January
2001, has to be etched in golden letters in the history pages
of India for the achievements of the scientists of the city-based
Defence Research and Development Organisation, Aeronautical
Development Agency and Hyderabad's Defence Research and Development
Laboratory, who were successful in bringing out the indigenous
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The moment of glory belonged to Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal,
whose maiden test flight of the LCA took place in the presence
of a huge gathering that comprised big wigs from the defence
and technical departments, including Defence Minister George
Fernandes.
Bangalorebest.com found congratulatory words (with prayers
and wishes from various departments sent in before the take
off!) adorning the walls of the office of this daring pilot
when it was there to congratulate him and share his 'experience'.
Your choice of career. Could you tell us something about
that?
I always looked for excitement, a thrilling life. Since I could
not find it in a
regular routine life, I took to piloting, wherein everyday is
a new day. I started my career as a Cadet in 1978 and in this
long journey of 22 years of flying life, I became Pilot Officer
(1979), Flight Lieutenant (1983), Sq. leader (1990) and Wing
Commander in 1996.
What about the most memorable moment in your life?
My visit to Disney Land is the most memorable moment.
I visited that place when I was in the US undergoing the Test
Pilot's Course at the Edwards's Air force base in California.
I consider the flight of LCA as the most thrilling moment in
my life.
How does it feel to be the centre of attention?
The feeling I got from that attention took two days to sink
in. I'm happy that this limelight literally re-introduced me
to my friends, who are now in different parts of the world.
Many friends and even my teachers, who did not know my whereabouts,
called up and congratulated me. Indeed, it is a moment of esteem.
You have said that LCA is the best thing that ever happened
to the Indian aviation Industry. Could you elaborate on this?
 Of
course it is. All these days our industry was doing only assembly
of flights like MIG 21, MIG 27, Jaguar and others. A milestone
was achieved by the industry in 1960 with HF Maruth, which got
phased out after five years. LCA is the first indigenous project
successfully carried out by Indian scientists and technical
crew. It is a dream realized after fifteen years of hard work
and research.
How did you feel when you were chosen for the test flight?
Actually, Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma was inducted initially for
this test flight. He was associated with the project for a long
time. But it came to me as he left the project in 1998 on account
of his age. The test to select the candidate who would operate
the maiden LCA flight was thorough and rigourous. I became the
filtrate of fifteen pilots to be sent to California for special
training.
Can you give us a few details about the LCA?
This LCA TD1 (first in the Technology Demonstrator series)
is a prototype for demonstrating the technology. Still, there
is a lot of work to be done as far as the utility of the flight
is considered. LCA is a single-engine, Delta wing, light-weight
fighter jet that is powered by a GE F404 engine. A digital flight-control
computer controls it and it has a glass cockpit.
What are the other aircrafts piloted by you?
The list includes AN 32, AVRO, and Learjet among commercial
flights. I have flown American flights like F4, F16, F15 and
F18. Altogether, I have piloted 35 kinds of flights with MIG
21, MIG 29, Miraj 2000 and others.
Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal recommends aspiring pilots to
be more fit-psychologically and physically. Good motoring skills
will permit better co-ordination and control over stick, throttle
and pedals in the cockpit during the flight. The medical fitness
test is of the highest standard and one needs to have very good
vision and a strong, straight spine. Above all, one needs
to have a positive attitude while entering the cockpit,
he says with a smile
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8:21:54 AM 
