Pilots from Indigo dip their ft as they sail on the Chennai Harbour.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
On the Spring Haven Wharf the place Chennai’s violent summer season solar has settled comfortably within the sky, a bunch of pilots, accustomed to navigating the clouds, is making its option to J80 class sailboats (racing keelboats) on the Harbour, hoping to strive their hand at controlling the waves.
For a lot of, who’re nonetheless of their stiff white and blue uniform, it’s their first time onboard a sailboat. “I’ve lived in Chennai all my life however have by no means been to crusing within the sea,” says Amrita Ravindran. She is one amongst 30 pilots from Indigo making an attempt their hand at crusing, on the 112-year-old Royal Madras Yacht Membership (RMYC), the oldest crusing membership in South India, as a part of the airways’ month-long Ladies’s Day celebrations.
Pilots from Indigo dip their ft as they sail on the Chennai Harbour.
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
“It’s fairly outstanding how now we have all been given an off on the identical day. My greatest draw to participate, was to fulfill all the opposite girls pilots from Chennai. Not like company workplaces, we solely get to fulfill our first officers and co-captains. It’s good to fulfill the opposite pilots from the organisation for the primary time. Do you know that Indigo has the best contingent of ladies pilots within the nation?” asks Shailaja Gopinath who has been flying since 1995.
The final time she was on a sailboat, Shailaja says that she was taking it sluggish. This time, she is glad to get her palms soiled. Amrita provides that the thought of working in groups can be sure to assist break the ice and convey the contingent nearer.
Honorary secretary of RMYC, Captain Vivek Shanbhag, says that the mechanics of flying and crusing should not too totally different and provides that it’s often a cakewalk for pilots. “The aeroplane, just like the sailboat, doesn’t distinguish between a person and a lady,” he says.
At 11am, the group, armed with vibrant blue T-shirts and sun shades, leaves the wharf in 4 boats. In minutes, they get a lifetime provide of salty breeze and delicate waves lapping by their sailboats.
