MUMBAI/ DELHI: An Alliance Air expat pilot was detained for a few hours by the IAF security personnel in Uttarlai Air Force Station, Rajasthan recently for allegedly taking photographs and videos of the restricted aerodrome using his mobile phone. The pilot was to operate a charter flight to Delhi when he was confronted. The IAF has lodged a formal complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, said a source.
The incident occurred on January 09 when Alliance Air charter flight 9I962, with 23 passengers on board the ATR 72-600 (VT-AIZ) aircraft, was readying for departure from Uttarlai to Delhi. “Boarding was on when the pilot, a Brazilian national, started taking videos of the air force station. It’s not known if he was shooting out of curiosity, as an aviation enthusiast or if there were other reasons. He was caught by the IAF security personnel and detained for questioning,” said a source.
The incident occurred on January 09 when Alliance Air charter flight 9I962, with 23 passengers on board the ATR 72-600 (VT-AIZ) aircraft, was readying for departure from Uttarlai to Delhi. “Boarding was on when the pilot, a Brazilian national, started taking videos of the air force station. It’s not known if he was shooting out of curiosity, as an aviation enthusiast or if there were other reasons. He was caught by the IAF security personnel and detained for questioning,” said a source.