CNN
—
Ashok Aliseril Thamarakshan, a mechanical engineer, developed an interest in learning to fly a plane after moving near an airfield in the UK more than ten years ago.
Aliseril’s wife gifted him a 30-minute flight experience for his birthday a few years later, which sparked his fascination with flying.
Aliseril took flying lessons and completed his first session by flying to the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England.
The experience opened his eyes to the freedom of flying and fueled his desire to have his own aircraft.
Aliseril obtained his private pilot’s license in 2019 and started renting planes for short flights.
As his family grew, Aliseril realized the need for a larger aircraft. Rather than purchasing an older model, he decided to build one himself to ensure its safety and comfort.
He researched self-assembly aircraft kits and chose a four-seater plane manufactured by Sling Aircraft.
In January 2020, Aliseril visited the Sling Aircraft factory in Johannesburg, South Africa, to test fly the Sling TSi aircraft. Impressed with the experience, he decided to purchase it.
However, due to the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Aliseril had to build the aircraft in a shed he constructed in his backyard.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Aliseril managed to complete the construction with the help of his wife and daughter. The aircraft, named G-Diya after his youngest daughter, received its permit to fly in May 2022.
Aliseril has already taken his family on multiple flights, including trips to the Isle of Wight, Skegness, and Turweston. He plans to continue exploring the UK and eventually venture into Europe.
Aliseril was nervous when the test pilot took the plane on its first flight, but the successful experience marked a significant milestone in the project.
Since then, Aliseril has been gradually expanding his flying skills and plans to fly with his family to Europe in the future.
Aliseril appreciates the sense of community among pilots and the affordability of shared aircraft ownership.
With the aircraft split between four individuals, the costs are comparable to owning an SUV, and the fuel expenses are similar to driving.
Aliseril hopes that more young people will undertake similar projects and highlights shared ownership as a way to make aviation more accessible and establish connections within the industry.
Correction: In a previous version of this article, Aliseril’s eldest and youngest daughters were mistakenly identified. Additionally, the name of the Light Aircraft Association was incorrectly stated.
