Singhania praised for hot-air ballooning feat

A lunch was hosted on the occasion by Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of "Blue-sky Aviation Services" at Al Dehisa Palace in RAK.

The lunch was attended by a large number of representatives and dignitaries of the aviation clubs from all over the country.

Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi praised Singhania for his achievement calling it a great record for the hot-air ballooning community.

Singhania travelled in a pressurised aluminium capsule with a specially designed multi-coloured balloon and 18 burners and soared past 21,000 metres (69,000 feet)

The balloon was connected to a parachute that would have been released automatically in case of any emergency.

A helicopter carrying a technical team followed the balloon.

The Emirates hot-air ballooning team, which took part in the world championship recently in Switzerland, was also present.

Singhania is the only Indian to have won the aviation sports gold medal from the "Federation Aeronautique Internationale" (FAI) that ratifies aviation records for a 24-day world air race covering 34,000km in 1994.

Meanwhile, the Emirates team of hot-air ballooning presented the record holder with a souvenir.

Singhania was received at Al Jazeera Aviation Club (RAK) by Shaikh Majid Al Qasimi.