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8-year-old Creates Record
This is from misc.news.southasia.
Source: News India-Times, New York, April 3, 1995
8-year-old Creates Record
By DHIMANT CHHAYA
DETROIT: Chirag Shah created a record last week by becoming the
youngest pilot ever to fly coast to coast across the United States.
The eight-year-old boy landed on an airstrip in Farmingdale, Long
Island from Los Angeles, after a brief stopover in Detroit, his home town.
Chirag, a third-grader at Dearborn's Henry Ford Elementary, began
his journey from Detroit City Airport March 18 to Los Angeles.
Chirag, meaning light, piloted a two-seater Cessna 150. Because of
Federal Aviation Administration rules which prohibit anyone under
16 to fly solo, Chirag was accompanied by his instructor Sam
Mannone. Rohit, Chirag's father, and a FAA official Cliff Miller,
followed them from Detroit in a second plane.
Chirag, who had to use two pillows to have an outside view from the
aircraft, began flying lessons five months ago and had logged in 35
flying hours before embarking on this monumental adventure. The lad
had also completed a one-and-a-half-hour test flight to Cleveland
a few days before this journey.
Chirag has been interested in airplanes and astronauts since early
childhood. According to his mother, Jyoti, Chirag received
encouragement from his father. When his father enrolled him for
flight lessons, Chirag was the youngest student in his class.
Mannone, his instructor, was also quick to realize the talent of the young
pilot.
Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido was also supportive and gave the
budding pilot a high-flying sendoff by driving Chirag and his
family to the airport and presenting him with an aviation suit.
Chirag was also inspired by Vicki Van Meeder, an 11-year-old girl
from Maine, who held the record Chirag broke.
Jyoti said that she is a proud mother. "Chirag knew that his mom
was worried too, so he called me everyday," she said. Chirag has
high aspirations. He hopes to set another record by flying across
the Pacific some day.
