London-based Ashok Aliseril Thamarakshan, a native of Kerala, has built a four-seater aircraft to go on holiday along with his family. Ashok and his wife, along with their two daughters, have travelled to many places across the UK and Europe aboard this aircraft.
He is a mechanical engineer by profession and is the son of former MLA AV Thamarakshan.
It was during the Covid-lockdown that the idea to construct an aircraft came to Ashok. According to reports, Ashok had spent nearly Rs 1.4 crore and approximately 1500 hours to complete their project.
Ashok said that initially, he used to rent small two-seater aircraft for trips after acquiring his pilot license in 2018. Once his family grew, he realised he needed a four-seater plane if he wanted his family to accompany him on his travels, but such aircraft are rare, so Ashok thought of building one himself.
"I learned about a Johannesburg-based company Sling Aircraft launching a new aircraft named Sling TSI in 2018," he said.
After visiting their factory, Thamarakshan ordered a kit to build his own plane. The COVID-induced lockdown gave him plenty of time to work on the time-consuming project.
Thamarakshan family is currently on holiday in his native Kerala. He now hopes that Indian laws also permit home-built aircraft as the entire family is wishing to come back home for a vacation.