Wing Commander Mohammad Yusuf Khan

Mohammad Yusuf Khan was born on June 13th, 1942 and belonged to a landowning family of Tajpur-Kurrah in Ghazipur district of Eastern UP, India.

He completed his high school and Bachelors from Ewing Christian College, Allahabad and then decided to enroll directly in the Indian Air Force. Yusuf got his wings in 1963 ?€“ which remained his driving passion until the end.

He was the only one from his village or nearing ones, to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force. Tajpur is yet to celebrate another of its sons becoming a pilot.

His journey with the Indian Air Force saw him active in 2 major wars ?€“ 1965 and 1971.In his 22 year long career with the IAF, Yusuf was type rated on the Folland Gnat, de Havilland Vampire and the Canberra. He took premature retirement from the IAF in 1986.

After taking premature retirement, Yusuf tried to dabble in business and settle in a corporate environment, but flying remained in his heart and mind. Recognizing this, Farhat ?€“ Yusuf's better half pushed him to consider flying again after a significant gap of 15 years. By 1989 he had acquired an ALTP from the Flight Safety Institute in the United States. And after a long gap, Yusuf was back where he belonged ?€“ up in the air.

As a commercial Pilot, Yusuf flew for India International Airways (IIA), and went on to become the Executive Director of the company. He had the privilege of flying with many celebrities including Bill Gates, Yanni, Steven Seagal and few heads of state as well.

Yusuf was a voracious reader and also did some freelance writing for leading Indian publications like The Indian Express, The Pioneer, The Hindu, Times of India and Hindustan Times. He wrote on a various subjects including travel, aviation, spirituality and also minority issues. Yusuf passed away on August 9th, 2008. He is missed and remembered by his family and friends.