Saina to fly IAF`s jet trainer aircraft today

New Delhi: Ace shuttler and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal will fly Kiran Mk II jet trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Friday at the IAF`s training academy at Dundigal in Andhra Pradesh.

Saina has been invited to visit the Air Force Academy, Dundigal on September 28 as a special guest for the closing ceremony of the Inter Squadron Sports Championship. During the visit, she is scheduled to fly a sortie on the Kiran trainer aircraft, the IAF said in a release. "She is also scheduled to witness the closing ceremony of the sports championship, where she would be playing an exhibition badminton match and also interact with the cadets at the Academy," the release said. Kiran Mk II aircraft is being used by the Air Force to train its rookie pilots before they move to fly other fighter and transport aircraft. Saina`s visit is being seen at inspiring the young cadets at the academy to do hard work to achieve their goals in life in the service of the nation. In recent years, the IAF has been honouring sportspersons for their achievements in their respective fields and has granted them honorary ranks also. Sachin Tendulkar was made an honorary Group Captain by the IAF last year for his achievements and, along with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was offered a sortie in frontline fighter aircraft SU-30MKI. PTI