New Delhi: Late industrialist Ratan Tata is considered as one of the most powerful and efficient entrepreneurs of India who served as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons. Apart from that, he is well-known for his philanthropic deeds.
Today, we are sharing with you one aspect of his illustrious life that is probably not much known.
This trait was shared by Thomas Mathew, who is the biographer of Ratan Tata.
“There are many stories revolving around, his daredevil flying skills. He used to go up into the sky, switch off the engine and scare his co-passengers,” said Mathew as he spoke about Tata’s experience during his time at Cornell University in the United States.
Ratan Tata was a licensed pilot with a passion for flying and learned to fly in the 1960s. He earned his pilot’s license while studying at Cornell University and often flew small aircraft during his time there.
He even flew fighter jets on two occasions, in 2007 and 2011. In 2007, he co-piloted an F-16 fighter jet at the Aero India Show in Bengaluru at the age of 69 years.
The Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2008) awardee was a regular visitor to Aero India, India’s premier airshow held biennially at Bengaluru’s Yelahanka Air Force Station.
He was often seen flying his company’s business jet.
Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024, after he was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai in critical condition and was under intensive care. He died at the age of 86 due to age-related issues.
