Pics - Shahid Kapoor get good experience to fly F-16 aircraft

Pics - Shahid Kapoor get good experience to fly F-16 aircraft; Indian actor Shahid Kapoor flew an American F-16 fighter aircraft on Saturday at the Aero-India show in Bangalore.

The actor, who plays an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer in dad Pankaj Kapur’s directorial debut Mausam had a thrilling experience of flying the F-16 IN Super Viper by Lockheed Martin, piloted by the American test pilot Paul ‘Bear’ Randall.

It was a 40-minute flight which had its share of turns, loops and tailspins.

“I wanted to get a first-hand experience of flying on a fighter aircraft. Thanks to Lockheed Martin, I have had the privilege of becoming the first actor to fly the F-16. Such an opportunity doesn’t come by as a civilian,” Shahid told the reporters after the flight.

Shahid was clearly overwhelmed by the experience.

“It's a great experience and I learnt how to fly a fighter (plane). Paul (the pilot) gave me lot of tips about flying such an awesome military aircraft and I am thankful to Lockheed Martin,” he said.

Pics - Shahid Kapoor get experience to fly F-16 aircraft

Shahid Kapoor playing as a pilot and fly in F 16 for Mausam

Shahid Kapoor playing as a pilot and fly in F 16 for Mausam: After playing a bookie in “Kaminey”, now Shahid Kapoor will be seen as a pilot in “Mausam” and the actor is excited about flying in an F 16 fighter jet for the role."

It is a huge honour and privilege and at the same time probably the coolest thing I’ve done yet in life… I am super excited about it," said Shahid in a statement.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise flew in a F 15 for his role in “Top Guns”.

“Mausam” is the directorial debut of his father, actor Pankaj Kapoor.

The film stars Sonam Kapoor in the female lead and some parts have been shot in Scotland.

Shahid Kapoor will be the world's first actor to fly the F-16 fighter

Shahid Kapoor will be the world's first actor to fly the F-16 fighter: Shahid Kapoor will be the first actor in the world to fly the F-16 IN Super Viper fighter plane. He will be participating in the Aero India 2011 show, in Bangalore, where he will fly the plane on February 11.

Uptill date, no actor has got a chance to sit in one of the fastest flying planes in the world.

A source revealed that the actor has been preparing for this for the last few months. "He's gone through rigorous training for the last one month and will continue to do so till his flying date. Apart from the training, there are a number of medical tests that need to be approved before he can actually sit in the cockpit.

Most of these tests are related to flying at a very high velocity and making sure the person doesn't suffer from motion sickness. Till now he's passed most of the medical tests and there are a couple more which will happen in the coming days."

Before Shahid gets into the cockpit he will run a flight simulation test which will be like flying the actual flight under the same conditions. He will then fly the plane at the Indian Air Force Station Yelahanka, as a part of the show which goes on air from February 9 to 13.

Other than Shahid, Ratan Tata has been the only other Indian to have got permission to fly the F16. Tata flew 20 minutes in a twin seat F-16 at the 2007 Aero India Show.

Incidentally, Shahid plays an Air Force pilot in his father Pankaj Kapoor's directorial debut Mausam, opposite Sonam Kapoor. As a part of his role, he's getting acquainted with the various aspects of fighter planes and also meeting air-force personnel to get in depth knowledge.

Sheetal Talwar producer of Mausam confirms, "Yes, Shahid will be flying the F 16. He will get the opportunity to feel the thrills and the major adrenaline rush that a pilot goes through during course of duty."