FATHER AND SON (ABHI) LEAVES MARK IN BELL HELICOPTER HISTORY BOOKS


FORT WORTH, TEXAS (May 27, 2008) – When Anil Mahajan and his son Abhijeet recently completed their training, they entered the record books as the first father and son team to qualify in the same helicopter at Bell’s Customer Training Academy.

To make the event even more unique, they both received their training from the same Bell Academy instructor pilot, Kevin Brandt. Anil completed his initial conversion to the Bell 407 with Kevin in 2001, and Abhijeet completed his initial conversion with Kevin last week.

“Kevin is an excellent instructor,” said Anil. “In fact, all of Bell’s instructors are excellent. I had my initial training and a couple of refreshers with Kevin, so I was very happy when he could take up my son.”

Not only is this father and son team a first at the Bell Training Academy, they are also the first father and son team to fly the same helicopter in India, and for the same company, Hindustan Construction Company Ltd.

Anil began flying helicopters in 1979 as a pilot in the Indian Army. After completing his military career in 1995, Anil entered commercial aviation flying the Bell 206L4. Today he flies the Bell 407 for HCC where he is the company’s head of aviation.

“I’ve been an ardent Bell supporter from the time I started flying,” said Anil. “Bell is good in all respects. That’s it in a nutshell,” he added, referring to Bell’s global reputation for world-class customer service and superior quality.

Abhijeet was just one year old when his father began flying helicopters. “I’ve always looked up to Dad,” remarked the son. “As far back as I can remember it’s been Dad flying helicopters,” he said.

“I’d always wanted my son to join up with me,” said Anil. “I thought he might join the Army and then step into my shoes, but he had different likings.” Although Abhijeet dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot like his father, his life initially headed in another direction. After earning an MBA, he took a position with ICICI Bank, got married and started a family. But Abhijeet’s desire to fly remained strong.

Anil recognized his son’s continuing interest in flying and asked, “Son, why not have a gamble and give it a try?” Abhijeet welcomed the adventure. He began his flight training at the HAL Rotary Wing Academy in India in 2006, and earned his commercial helicopter pilot’s license in 2007 at Becker Helicopters in Brisbane, Australia.

When Abhijeet returned to India he planned to find a job flying offshore missions supporting the oil and gas industry. However, his father’s company was planning an expansion of its aviation operation and Abhijeet was offered a job flying for Hindustan Construction Company. The company currently flies a Bell 407, and will take delivery of a Bell 427 later this year. The company has also signed orders for a Bell 429 and two Bell/Agusta BA609 Tiltrotors.

“It’s a dream come true now being able to fly helicopters,” said Abhijeet, “and being able to fly with Dad makes it that much better. It’s really a great feeling.”

A love of flying is not uncommon in the Mahajan family. Abhijeet’s sister is married to a fixed-wing pilot, and Abhijeet’s three-year-old son has already announced his desire to become a pilot when he grows up.

Both father and son have plans to return to Bell’s Customer Training Academy in October for initial conversion training on the Bell 427, and they hope to have Kevin Brandt as their instructor again.

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