Details : | As Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit in NEFA, Flight Lieutenant Tandon has carried out over 900, landings in advance landing grounds / airfields and has flown over 1000 hours. On 16th May 1964, a helicopter, while attempting to land at a helipad, It got its front oleos bogged down on the ground as a result of which they got dangerously bent backwards. Realising the danger involved, the pilot abandoned the landing and flew back to the base. This information was passed on to Flight Lieutenant Tandon who was flying his own helicopter. He landed immediately, and proceeded to assess the damage on the helicopter which was instructed to hover low over the airfield. He organised a soft landing area by placing old tyres and barrels in such a manner as to give support to the aircraft when it landed. Thereupon, he instructed the hovering helicopter to lower the rope ladder by which he climbed into the damaged aircraft and took over control personally. He manoeuvred the helicopter and landed safely on the prepared spot thus saving the helicopter as well as its occupants. Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Tandon displayed initiative and a high degree of professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. |