Pilots from Indigo dip their ft as they sail on the Chennai Harbour.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

On the Spring Haven Wharf the place Chennai’s violent summer season solar has settled comfortably within the sky, a bunch of pilots, accustomed to navigating the clouds, is making its solution to J80 class sailboats (racing keelboats) on the Harbour, hoping to strive their hand at controlling the waves.

For a lot of, who’re nonetheless of their stiff white and blue uniform, it’s their first time onboard a sailboat. “I’ve lived in Chennai all my life however have by no means been to crusing within the sea,” says Amrita Ravindran. She is one amongst 30 pilots from Indigo attempting their hand at crusing, on the 112-year-old Royal Madras Yacht Membership (RMYC), the oldest crusing membership in South India, as a part of the airways’ month-long Ladies’s Day celebrations.

Pilots from Indigo dip their ft as they sail on the Chennai Harbour.
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

“It’s fairly outstanding how we’ve all been given an off on the identical day. My largest draw to participate, was to satisfy all the opposite ladies pilots from Chennai. Not like company workplaces, we solely get to satisfy our first officers and co-captains. It’s good to satisfy the opposite pilots from the organisation for the primary time. Do you know that Indigo has the very best contingent of ladies pilots within the nation?” asks Shailaja Gopinath who has been flying since 1995.

The final time she was on a sailboat, Shailaja says that she was taking it gradual. This time, she is joyful to get her palms soiled. Amrita provides that the concept of working in groups can also be certain to assist break the ice and produce the contingent nearer.

Honorary secretary of RMYC, Captain Vivek Shanbhag, says that the mechanics of flying and crusing usually are not too totally different and provides that it’s normally a cakewalk for pilots. “The aeroplane, just like the sailboat, doesn’t distinguish between a person and a girl,” he says.

At 11am, the group, armed with shiny blue T-shirts and sun shades, leaves the wharf in 4 boats. In minutes, they get a lifetime provide of salty breeze and delicate waves lapping by their sailboats.