HAL honours chopper genius; no financial support for now

 The desi chopper-maker Pradip S Mohite (above) a during his felicitation function at Aero India. He is also seen with HAL chief R K Tyagi (first photo) and company's Chef Test Pilot Wg Cdr (Redt) Unni Pillai. Photos: Tarmak007

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Saturday recognized the talent of a youngster, who has shown exceptional plane-making skills. At the penultimate day of Aero India 2013, HAL latched on to Pradip Shivaji Mohite, the 28-year-old mechanical genius from Sangli (Maharashtra), who built a helicopter and later proved its ability to levitate for few seconds. (See Express Exclusive report dated February 7, 2013).

HAL chairman R K Tyagi honoured Pradip with the Dhruv Award for Indigenous Talent – an event watched by around 200 onlookers. Pradip was on Cloud 9 seeing the shutter bugs, the crowd and the show. Only fluent in Marathi, Pradip with the help of a translator shared his chopper story to the audience.

Most of the onlookers were clueless as to what the event was and many thought Pradip was an HAL employee. HAL said that Pradip has constantly innovated and improved his machine to bring it to a flying stage, using his own resources and his own visualized concepts.

“I spent around Rs 3 lakh in the last four years building this helicopter. I am happy that HAL recongnised my talent. Right now, HAL has promised to help me to improve my helicopter engine. Otherwise, there are no financial commitments from HAL,” Pradip said during media interaction. HAL’s PRO said that ‘talks are on with Pradip,’ when quizzed about the company’s plan on backing the talent.

Ever since Express broke Pradip’s story, and his possible arrival to Aero India, HAL completely went underground and refused to share any information on the mechanical genius. The managers and liaison officer handling Pradip too refused to give out any details.

owever, Tyagi said that HAL will support Pradip, after observing his future progress. “We have given him exposure by taking him to some of our facilities in Bangalore. At Aero India, he saw some of the best planes in the world. He also saw how a chopper is being made, how it flies, the technologies involved and the people who make it. We are not making any financial commitment now. But, we will be with Pradip in his mission forward,” Tyagi said.

Copyright@The New Sunday Express 

EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE: Garage mechanic from Maharashtra floors HAL's plane pundits with desi chopper | Inspired by film '3 Idiots,' he builds a helicopter that levitates

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Plane-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) might fly out an inspiring story during the ongoing Aero India 2013. It will also be life-changing script for young Pradeep Mohite, a garage mechanic hailing from Maharashtra’s Sangli Zilla Parishat. His efforts in making a desi helicopter and later levitating it with the help of a Maruti 800 engine, has floored HAL's plane pundits, who are now rolling out a red carpet to welcome the mechanical genius.

Pradeep, now in his late 20s, has studied till 10th and supports his family with his meagre earnings. He has never seen a real chopper, till date, but built one with little support from his friends. Inspired by the Aamir Khan blockbuster 3 Idiots, Pradeep has been chasing his chopper passion for the last four years. Despite repeated failures and fund shortages, he hooked on to his dream and finally managed to levitate the chopper for few seconds. Sources told Express that an email which came to a senior official in Helicopter Complex, in December 2012, set-off HAL's plane chase, with a difference.

“The mail was sent by a person who saw a footage on Pradeep's chopper in a local Marathi channel. We alerted our Chief Test Pilot in Nasik, who had a tough time in locating Pradeep. Based on his initial report, we then sent a chopper designer from Bangalore to Pradeep's village, who spent two days analysing the mind-boggling technology,” sources said.

His maiden attempts failed like the Wright Brothers, as his chopper with auto rickshaw engine and wooden blades failed to take-off. Similar to HAL's upgradation programmess, he then switched over to metal blades with the power plant coming from a Maruti 800 and its battery from a tractor. A five-liter can supplies the fuel to the chopper.

Pradeep was expected in Bangalore on Wednesday night with a posh guest house already booked for him. HAL plans to take him around its chopper facilities, in addition to bringing him to Aero India.

Late on Monday night, HAL Chairman R K Tyagi confirmed that his team is eagerly awaiting the special guest. “We want to motivate the boy. Will help him. We are all excited to meet him,” Tyagi said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

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