Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi made history as the first Indian woman to fly a Russian made MiG 21 Bison. On Monday, Avani flew the aircraft solo taking off from Jamnagar Air Base in Gujarat.
On Monday, Avani’s instructor took the back seat to watch over her and ensure it all went as planned. MiG 21 Bison is considered one of the most difficult aircraft to handle. Avani flew the Bison for 30 minutes straight.
Avani Chaturvedi was born in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna and studied at Adarsh Higher Secondary School in Deolond near Rewa. She graduated from Banasthali University with Computer Science.
Avani is part of the first batch of women flying officers after the Government decided to make the change in 2016. Avani along with two other women graduated from the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigul near Hyderabad.
In 2018, the group of female flying officers will be trained on Hawk advanced jet trainer. But according to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat the move to get women to combat roles is on an experimental basis for the next five years.
