Monday, 30 July 2018
Today is when we officially take-off on our expedition. After two long, exhausting months of training in Patiala, we spent all night trying to fall asleep. Because of all the tossing and turning, we finally managed to get out of the bed at 5am, rubbing the sleep from our eyes and rushing to get ready.
We had a pretty long schedule the previous day, with the Maharani of Patiala, the Jt Secretary of the MWCD and the whole WE! team (along with a whole host of reporters) flagging us off. With mixed emotions in my head, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and after a quick shower – I was ready to start my journey as a circumnavigator.
All prepared for our sortie, we dumped two months worth of clothes, shoes, books etc. in mum and dad’s room before we set off for Patiala airport from our hotel/home with two mini backpacks and one and a half collapsible bags filled with aircraft essentials in a tiny white/green cab. At the hangar, we met our cute little puppies, ever-present and ever-happy to welcome us with wagging tails.
And then we set to work, preparing our aircraft for today’s cross country to Kishangarh, Rajasthan. We lugged the canister, plugged in the pump and glugged in the fuel. Then we wiped down our beautiful little plane and we were almost ready to go.
With my grumbling tummy, mom handed me a couple of sandwiches – saviour I tell you, Keith will agree. Now we were really all set to leave. We said our final goodbyes to mumma, dada, uncle, aunty, Rahul sir, Deb, Vismay and the Patiala ground staff. Not to forget our tiny buddies, we were ready to take off. Started the engine with teary eyes and set a course to our first destination – Kishangarh.
After take-off, we waved goodbye to the Patiala ATC and CFI Capt. Malkeat sir, we continued to climb to our cruising flight level – F065. Contact with Ambala tower – Alpha Control – Delhi area – Jaipur tower – Kishangarh ATC, cruising at 065 above the clouds at 105 knots. I still could not believe that this is it. Chit chatting as always with my sister/friend/co-pilot Keith – we were now on our way.
The landscape changed from bright green to a dry brown landscape as we cruised west abeam Delhi and entered royal Rajasthan.
With fairly poor visibility with mostly hazy skies, there wasn’t much of a view to write about straight ahead of us. We contacted Kishangarh about 60 nm inbound, they told us to watch out for hilly terrain. As soon as we passed the terrain on the west abeam Jaipur, the smooth cruise turned into a bumpy ride. Fighting with our controls we initiated a straight in approach to touchdown at Kishangarh.
Securing our aircraft with mountaineering ropes, we made our way to the beautiful haveli/hotel – The Royal Heritage, lucky enough to get a room with a massive balcony and a fantastic view.
Unpacking our mini backpacks which will hold everything we need for 90 days on the road/in the skies, we changed into pyjamas, wolfed down some yummy dal rice and slammed ourselves into bed for a nap.
Our journey has just begun.
– The WE! Pilots
Motorglider Diaries 