Ratan Naval Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away on Wednesday at 86 years old at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership and philanthropy. Among his many passions was aviation, an interest he indulged in during a thrilling event in February 2007.
At the Aero India Show in Bengaluru, then 69-year-old Tata was invited by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin to co-pilot an F-16 fighter jet. Known for its agility and speed, the F-16 is a single-engine, multi-role aircraft used by various air forces around the world. As an experienced aviator, Tata, who held licenses to fly jets and helicopters, eagerly took up the offer.
Under the supervision of a Lockheed Martin pilot, Tata took control of the jet for a half-hour flight, flying as low as 500 feet. He described the exhilarating experience as “unbelievable” and admitted feeling “timid” after the intense ride. The Lockheed Martin pilot accompanying Tata was equally thrilled, highlighting the low-altitude flying at 600 knots (1,110 kilometers per hour) as a key moment.
After the flight, Tata was presented with a miniature F-16 model, marking the experience. Not stopping there, he flew again the very next day, this time in Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet.
The F-18, a larger twin-engine jet used extensively by the US Navy, took off from Yelahanka Air Force Station, with a former US Navy pilot at the helm. Tata spent an hour in the cockpit, flying at both high and low speeds. Reflecting on the second flight, he called it a “terrific ride,” noting that although he didn’t perform many maneuvers, he truly experienced the aircraft’s impressive performance.
Ratan Tata’s back-to-back flights in two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets—Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and Boeing’s F-18—remain a unique testament to his adventurous spirit and love for aviation.
