Commander Monga Is Celebrating 75 Years of the Indian Air Force

Echterdingen, GERMANY / 20 July 2007 — Flight Design, based in Echterdingen Germany, is closely following what may be the first round-the-world flight of a Light-Sport Aircraft. The unusual and daring flight is being undertaken by Wing Commander Rahul Monga as part of the 75th Year Anniversary of the Indian Air Force.

“After three years of planning into the unknown, and the kind encouragement of all including the Indian Air Force, various partner companies, my seniors, colleagues, airmen, and friends, the grand flight is underway,” said Commander Monga. As of 16 July, Monga has flown 46 days and has recently arrived in the USA. According the Times of India, “The expedition is still hopeful of creating a World Record in circumnavigating the globe in the shortest possible time. It had originally planned for 64 days, but is delayed by several days now. It is still in line to break the 99 days existing record though.” Poor weather in China and Russia slowed progress.

Interested press may contact Monga directly as he travels. He is using a Blackberry that allows him to receive and send email messages during much of his flight. Send queries to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Flight Design CEO, Matthias Betsch, stated, “Commander Monga has planned a very serious project helping to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force. He is making a friendship flight around the world using a CTsw.” In some countries, the CT is classified as a microlight; in the USA, CT is certified under ASTM industry consensus standards. “Rahul is a very good pilot and an Indian Air Force Wing Commander. He has been planning and training for this fight for years,” explained Betsch.

Flight Design is a 21-year-old air sport products producer based in Germany. Over 1,000 of its aircraft are flying in 25 countries. One of the first aircraft certified under the American ASTM standards, in 2005, the CT (“composite technology”) is currently the best-selling LSA in America. CT in several models has been popular in Germany and Europe for more than ten years.