Chandigarh:November08,2008 :As many as 50 visually impaired children and 10 staff members from Institute of blind, Sector 26 Chandigarh were taken to MI-26 Helicoptor, AN-32 airCraft and IL-76 transport aircraft at 12 Wing ,Air Force , Chandigarh today under the aegis of Air Force Wives Welfare Association (L) to give them an exposure to feel the flying machines in close proximity. Children were given Caps and school bags as momento.
Before taking inside the aircraft, the students were given exposure to various parts of the aircraft with the help of miniature models of each aircraft. They could actually feel the aircraft with their hands and visualize the role and functions of the transport aircraft of IAF Inventory.
Also the children were given exposure to Radio communication and Navigational systems in Air Traffic Control Tower where they could actually listen the radio communication between Pilot of the Aircraft and controller on the ground.
Headmaster of the institute Mr J. S. Jayara expressed his gratitude to Air Officer Commanding of 12 Wing, Air Commodore S.R.K. Nair and Mrs Nair for taking initiative to give the unique opportunity to visually impaired children to ‘see’ and feel the real aircraft. AFWWA President (L) Mrs Geethanjali Nair accompanied the children through out the visit. Air Cmde Nair said 12 Air Force will be presenting different aircraft models to the blind school so that the children can feel and get enlightened about the aircrafts what Indian Air Force is using on its transport roll.
Kulwinder, a ten years old blind student was very delighted to have exposure to the real aircraft. He told smilingly that he never thought that he will be actually so close to a real aircraft. Children were made to sit on the Pilots Seat in the Cockpit to have the feeling of aircraft flying .Twelve years old Laabh Singh sitting in cockpit expressed that it was a great fun to have feeling of the aircraft.