Bangalore, February 9
After Lockheed Martin's media coup with Ratan Tata yesterday, it was Boeing's turn today to bridge the gap by getting the Tata Chairman on its F/A-18 Super Hornet combat jet, besides wooing the media by arranging rides on the Chinook heavy-lift helicopter and C-17 aircraft.
The Super Hornet carrying Tata speeded off to an almost vertical take off. However, unlike yesterday's flight on the F-16, there were lesser manoeuvres even though Tata did experience the thrill of both high and low speeds. He was even more at ease while deplaning on the stepped ladder than yesterday. Boeing test pilot Tod Nelson, who flew Tata, said, "I can tell you he was good. He was good."
The newsmen got to fly a Chinook helicopter and also some news with Boeing disclosing it was offering 12 copters to the IAF at a cost of around $ 600 million. Company Regional Director (Asia Pacific) Dean Millsap said even though no request for proposal (RFP) had been issued for the helicopters, the IAF had shown an interest in acquiring the copters.
The Chinook helicopter, which Boeing says is most suitable for high-altitude operations in India, comes fitted with a digital cockpit management system and advanced cargo-handling capacities.
