Who was first Indian to fly Air India flight, Ratan Tata was his…

Do you know who is regarded as the father of Indian civil aviation? Also, have you ever wondered who is first person who obtained a commercial pilot license in India. Here is everything you need to know about the legend who was chosen as the chairman of Tata Sons at the age of just 34. Born on July 29, 1904, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata is a famous aviator and entrepreneur who launched India’s first airmail service. The service later became the country’s national carrier, Air India.

Air India, which is a cornerstone story in India’s aviation story, owes its existence to Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata. Although Air India’s maiden flight took off on October 15, 1932, its roots really lie further back in history. Specifically, they go back to 1929, which was when JRD Tata became a licensed pilot.

JRD Tata was only 15 years old when he took a joyride in a plane in France, and decided he would become a pilot. In 1932, JRD pioneered the aviation industry in India, when he set off on the inaugural flight from Karachi to Bombay.

Legends of  JRD Tata

When JRD Tata was just 24 years old, he made history as the first Indian to obtain a flying license’. Surprisingly, all this happened in Mumbai back when it was known as Bombay and had its very first flying club. JRD marked his name in the history of Indian aviation by piloting the foremost flight. Also, he captained the maiden journey of what we know today as Air India, but back then, it was named Tata Air Services.

The historic flight took to the skies on October 15, 1932, departing from Karachi’s Drigh Road Aerodrome and finally touching down at Juhu Airstrip in Mumbai. The journey wasn’t just a physical move from one city to another, it was a milestone in aviation that changed the face of Indian air travel forever.

“On an exciting October dawn in 1932, he soared into the sky from Karachi in a Puss Moth, flying towards Bombay at what was then a ‘dazzling 100 miles an hour’,” the Tata Group wrote on Instagram.

About JRD Tata and Ratan Tata relationship

JRD Tata and Ratan Tata were distantly related, coming from different branches of the Tata family tree. In 1991, JRD Tata proposed Ratan Tata’s name as the new chairman of the Tata Group in a board meeting. Recalling the events of that day, Ratan had said he cannot describe the feelings JRD expressed in the board meeting as he proposed his name for the group’s top post.