Tourism aircraft 'micro light' takes off
Prime News Desk ||
2013-04-19 Time : 18:16:09
Dhaka: As part of adventure tourism, the country for the first time introduced tourism aircraft called 'micro light' Thursday, giving a boost to the tourism and hospitality industry. The micro light, first of its kind in the country, is the flying of lightweight 1 or 2 seater fixed-wing aircraft with parachute. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan inaugurated the flight at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hossain, owner of the micro light Major Maaz and the CAAB high officials were present on the occasion. "It's like a parachute aircraft. We plan to introduce the aircraft in Cox's Bazar soon," Faruk Khan told reporters after the inauguration of the aircraft. He said it requires more trial runs before flying on commercial basis for safety reason. Mahmud Hossain said the CAAB will give approval of such tourism aircraft in a week or two. Major Maaz, who had successfully jumped a record of 300 times, said cost of each unit of the aircraft would be Taka 15 lakh and one liter oil requires for one hour journey. The micro light will be able to fly as high as 2,000 feet, he added. Four concerned persons have already received training in this field in Malaysia, he said adding that initially two such aircraft will be put in place and the number will be raised in the coming days in phases. Ends/AMA/19/04/13
