India’s Aarohi Pandit Becomes First Woman To Fly Solo Across Atlantic Ocean In A Light Sports Aircraft

Mumbai-based Aarohi Pandit has become the first Indian woman - and perhaps the only woman in the world - to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in a Light Sports Aircraft (LSA), Times of India has reported.

Pandit accomplished the feat when she landed at Iqaluit airport in Canada on 13 May, having flown there from Wick in the United Kingdom. She flew her ultralight Sinus 912 aircraft named ‘Mahi’ from Wick in Scotland to Iqalit in Canada in five legs, with stoppage at Hofn and Reykjavik in Iceland, and Kulusuk and Nuuk in Greenland.

She embarked on the expedition with fellow pilot Keithair Misquitta in July 2018. They flew across Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat in India, before crossing over Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, France and the UK.

“I’m so honoured and grateful that I could do this for my country and for women everywhere. Flying over the Atlantic Ocean has been a humbling experience. It’s just you and your little plane, with the light blue sky above and the dark blue sea or shining white ice below. Certain parts were bumpy but the beauty of the ocean and the islands was breathtaking. The challenging bit was of course the north Atlantic part but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!” said Aarohi, as reported by TOI.

After achieving this feat, Aarohi will continue westward over Canada, US, Russia, China and Southeast Asia.