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In a first, NRG businessman buys flying car

AHMEDABAD: In 2008, NRG businessman Subhash Shihora's wife and six-month-old son were not allowed to board a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad despite having a valid ticket because of a technical glitch. Shihora, a major stake-holder in the Rs 2 lakh crore Urok consultancy firm in the UK, was so angry he sued the airline for Rs 21 crore. He also wanted to ensure that it never happened again. And he found a way out — Shihora has become the first Indian to buy the world's first commercial flying car called 'Transition' from a company in Massachusetts, US. Shihora now wants the car to be parked at his farmhouse off SG Road in Ahmedabad. But he fears getting permission may not be easy. He will need clearances from not just aviation agencies, but security agencies as well and has already started talking to officials. "I fly down to Ahmedabad at least six times a year and then fly to Mumbai and Rajkot. I had taken a test drive of the flying car. By pressing just one button, the car turns into an aircraft. I have started taking flying lessons to get the licence," says Shihora. He booked the car in 2009 and will get delivery in 2012. Shihora, who moved to UK in 1998, booked it for Rs 1 crore and will pay another Rs 1 crore by the time it is delivered. "With all taxes and duties paid, the car will cost me around Rs 6 crore in Ahmedabad." The car, designed with foldable wings, successfully completed its first flight on March 5, 2009 and recently got clearance from the US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. The two-seater vehicle falls in the light aircraft category and requires a private pilot licence to fly it. The vehicle, which is big enough to fit into a home garage and runs on unleaded petrol, can travel up to 450 miles and can fly at 115 mph. Colonel VK Nagar, an aviation industry expert, says, "Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI) may give permission under the micro light aircraft category. But a vehicle that can both be driven on roads and can be taken to the skies from anywhere may create issues with security agencies." Do you like this story? Follow timesofindia on Twitter Exam deferred; parents, students go on rampage Cept invited to UN’s global varsities meet RELATED COVERAGE Articles First intra-state flight from Surat can... End of flying career for 14 'fake' pilo... Fake pilots: Manpower shortage at DGCA ... Are you seeking leniency for cheating? ... 9 years on, Jakkur flying school regain... Readers' opinions (28) Post a Comment Sort by:Newest|Oldest|Recommended (20)|Most Discussed|Agree|Disagree mohammadalisheikh (Mumbai) 6 mins ago (10:11 AM) Your commTruly speaking it’s the proud moments for Indians. Pundit jawar Lal Nehru Burnt few pounds and made a cup of tea. In the hay days of independent struggle. Now it is a history Today Indians are toping in many areas so why not show the strength. I am sure that Subhash Shihora's name will become part of history. Agree (0)Disagree (0)Recommend (0)Offensive veruthe (Delhi) 15 mins ago (10:02 AM) Let our India prosperous. Agree (1)Disagree (0)Recommend (0)Offensive Parshuram Gautampurkar (Sawai Madhopur) 50 mins ago (09:27 AM) Agree (1)Disagree (3)Recommend (0)Offensive virgotrex (US) 56 mins ago (09:21 AM) TOI has become a piece of mockery over the past two decades. Apart from bad reporting, biased views and silly articles (movies and cricket) of much lesser importance to common people, TOI reporters make obvious grammatical errors and typos. Even the silly articles reported namely movies is far from perfect. I can cite today's example that the last name of Ajay Devgan was spelled "Devgn". Did anyone observe the same? Seriously, does the editor proof read your articles? I am an engineer and I bet I can certainly write better articles than bunch of poorly qualified BMS candidates based on nepotism. Unfortunately, most major news agencies in India, US, UK or elsewhere have vested interests and tweak the news to suite their biased view or the affiliation of their owner. I am glad internet now provides true news through other minor news agencies. Agree (10)Disagree (7)Recommend (5)Offensive anil (delhi) replies to virgotrex 28 mins ago (09:49 AM) little knowledge is bad knowledge...Devgan has changed surname spelling to devgn long back....uff :) Agree (3)Disagree (2)Recommend (1)Offensive Ananth (Pune) replies to virgotrex 37 mins ago (09:40 AM) Dude, Ajay Devgan changed his name to Devgn after consulting some numerologist.The editors are not paid for nothing. Cool. Agree (4)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)Offensive rdr (Mumbai) replies to virgotrex 39 mins ago (09:38 AM) Devgn is the real spelling Agree (4)Disagree (1)Recommend (1)Offensive Modigujarat (Gujarat) 57 mins ago (09:20 AM) Dear Indians, It is something to proud for INDIA that the one Indian have taken over in the entire world. we proud for him him double as he is Gujarati and he is INDIAN. He is from the great mahatma's land. jai Garvi Gujarat, Jai Hind Agree (9)Disagree (10)Recommend (6)Offensive MeAndMyself (Hyderabad) replies to Modigujarat 8 mins ago (10:09 AM) He is a proud Indian owner of the car but the manufacturer(non-Indian) of the flying car is even more proud of this unique specimen. Which of the two pride will you go for - I shall go for the later. Agree (2)Disagree (1)Recommend (2)Offensive » READ ALL COMMENTS Have something to say? Post your comment Comments are moderated and will be allowed if they are about the topic and not abusive. 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