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The first Indian, or indeed Asian, to procure aeroplanes was the then-young Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, who was following aviation developments with keen interest. The Maharaja sent his chief engineer to Europe for an on-the-spot study and then ordered three aeroplanes, including a Bleriot monoplane and Farman biplanes. These aeroplanes arrived in the Punjab in December 1910.
The Sikhs have been pioneers in flying ever since - be it in military or civil aviation, as pilots or engineers - virtually from this dawn of flight. Even now, as we forge ahead in the new millennium, Sikhs remain at the forefront of aviation activities ... in India, they continue to be in the vanguard of the Indian Air Force, Naval Air Arm, Army Aviation Corps, and the air wings of the Coast Guard and Border Security Force..Many are with international airlines, as Boeing 747 "Jumbo" commanders, flying distant intercontinental routes from Chicago to Bombay, or as captains of Airbus A-320s, operating in South-East Asia. Quite a number are with the Royal Malaysian and Singapore Air Forces, others in East Africa.
However, the very first Indian to fly, join the Royal Flying Corps, get his wings, go into aerial combat on the Western Front, shoot down German fighters and himself be seriously wounded in the air, was an outstanding personality: Sardar Hardit Singh Malik. His life and times were so extraordinary and his achievements so varied, that it is most meaningful to dwell upon his pioneering career. .
A British Bristol Fighter FB2 and a German Albatros D.III in combat during WWI. Hardit Singh flew this type of Bristol Fighter for the Royal Air Force.
http://www.sikhchic.com/history/flying_ace_pioneer