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Courage & Service · Made in Chandigarh

HaritaKaur Deol

Indian Air Force pilot

  • Born
  • BirthplaceChandigarh, India
  • Died
Typographic poster for Harita Kaur Deol
  • 1stwoman to fly solo in the IAF
  • 22her age on that flight
  • 7women in the first IAF officer intake

Flight Lieutenant Harita Kaur Deol was the first woman pilot to fly solo in the Indian Air Force, taking an Avro HS-748 up alone on 2 September 1994 at the age of 22.

One of the first seven

Hailing from Chandigarh, she was one of the first seven women cadets inducted into the Indian Air Force as Short Service Commission officers in 1993 — a turning point for training women as transport pilots. She trained at the Air Force Academy in Dundigul and at Yelahanka.

Solo flight and legacy

Her solo flight in 1994 made history. She died on 24 December 1996 when an Indian Air Force Avro aircraft crashed in Andhra Pradesh, one of 24 personnel lost.

Timeline

  1. 1971Born on 10 November
  2. 1993Among the first seven women inducted as IAF officers
  3. 1994First woman to fly solo in the IAF
  4. 1996Dies in an Air Force crash on 24 December

Quick questions

Where was Harita Kaur Deol born?

Harita Kaur Deol was born in Chandigarh, India. Hailing from a Sikh family in Chandigarh; Wikidata records Chandigarh as her birthplace.

When was Harita Kaur Deol born?

Harita Kaur Deol was born on 10 November 1971. Harita died on 24 December 1996.

What is Harita Kaur Deol known for?

Harita Kaur Deol is known for First solo flight by a woman in the IAF and Avro HS-748.

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This is an independent editorial profile compiled from public sources. Chandigarhcitylyf is not affiliated with Harita Kaur Deol, and nothing on this page implies endorsement.