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{{Short description|Indian aircraft pilot}}
{{Short description|Indian aircraft pilot}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
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| honorific-prefix =
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== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Ram Nath Chawla was born 1 December 1903.<ref name="BharatRakshak">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1626|title=Service Record for Flight Lieutenant Ram Nath Chawla 1626 EQPT at Bharat Rakshak.com|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> After completing High School in [[Kasur]],<ref name="Sapru2014"/> he studied civil engineering at the [[University of Nottingham]]<ref name="Express">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/mar/19/flashback-of-first-flier-who-flew-farthest-in-1930-1582930.html|title=Flashback of first flier who flew farthest in 1930|date=19 March 2017|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> and took flying lessons at the nearby [[Hucknall Aerodrome]]. In 1928, he received his flying licence from the [[Royal Aero Club|Aero Club of London]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/><ref name=Fyzee1991>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkDbAAAAMAAJ&q=chawla|title=Aircraft and engine perfect: the story of JRD Tata who opened up skies for his country|last=Fyzee|first=Murad|date=1991|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co.|isbn=9780074601204|language=en}}</ref>
Ram Nath Chawla was born 1 December 1903.<ref name="BharatRakshak">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/1626|title=Service Record for Flight Lieutenant Ram Nath Chawla 1626 EQPT at Bharat Rakshak.com|website=Bharat Rakshak|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> After completing High School in [[Kasur]],<ref name="Sapru2014"/> he studied civil engineering at the [[University of Nottingham]]<ref name="Express">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2017/mar/19/flashback-of-first-flier-who-flew-farthest-in-1930-1582930.html|title=Flashback of first flier who flew farthest in 1930|date=19 March 2017|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> and took flying lessons at the nearby [[Hucknall Aerodrome]]. In 1928, he received his flying licence from the [[Royal Aero Club|Aero Club of London]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/><ref name=Fyzee1991>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NkDbAAAAMAAJ&q=chawla|title=Aircraft and engine perfect: the story of JRD Tata who opened up skies for his country|last=Fyzee|first=Murad|date=1991|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co.|isbn=9780074601204|language=en}}</ref>


== Family ==
== Family ==
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In November 1929, keen on promoting aviation, the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], 48th Iman of the [[Isma'ilism|Ismailai]] sect of Muslims,<ref name="Chowdhury2018">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGpUDwAAQBAJ&q=aspy&pg=PA368|title=Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars|last=Chowdhry|first=Mohindra S.|date=2018|publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd|isbn=9781788037983|pages=369|language=en}}</ref> announced a £500 prize<ref name="Chowdhury2018" /> for the first Indian to fly solo between India and England, in either direction, within a one-month time frame.<ref name="Rao2000">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBCIAwAAQBAJ&q=Aga+Khan+1929+flight+prize&pg=PP8|title=J. R. D. TATA|last=Rao|first=Prof L. S. Seshagiri|date=2000|publisher=Sapna Book House (P) Ltd.|isbn=9788128017438|language=en}}</ref>
In November 1929, keen on promoting aviation, the [[Aga Khan III|Aga Khan]], 48th Iman of the [[Isma'ilism|Ismailai]] sect of Muslims,<ref name="Chowdhury2018">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TGpUDwAAQBAJ&q=aspy&pg=PA368|title=Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars|last=Chowdhry|first=Mohindra S.|date=2018|publisher=Troubador Publishing Ltd|isbn=9781788037983|pages=369|language=en}}</ref> announced a £500 prize<ref name="Chowdhury2018" /> for the first Indian to fly solo between India and England, in either direction, within a one-month time frame.<ref name="Rao2000">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBCIAwAAQBAJ&q=Aga+Khan+1929+flight+prize&pg=PP8|title=J. R. D. TATA|last=Rao|first=Prof L. S. Seshagiri|date=2000|publisher=Sapna Book House (P) Ltd.|isbn=9788128017438|language=en}}</ref>
   
   
Unable to cover the cost of participating, Chawla teamed up with 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, who had recently received his flying licence and a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] aircraft as a birthday gift.<ref name="Express"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|title=Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers|last=Singh|first=Farida|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> On 3 March 1930, with Chawla as the main pilot, they both flew the aircraft from Karachi, to [[Croydon Airport]], England, taking 17 days.<ref name="spsAviation"/><ref name="FlightMay1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0519 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054656/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|url-status=dead}}</ref> After losing their way a number of times, they were received at Croydon by a welcoming crowd and presented with garlands of flowers by the Mayor of London and rewarded with 7,500 rupees from the Indian government.<ref name="Sapru2014">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEa6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT442|title=Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945|last=Sapru|first=Somnath|publisher=KW Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9789383649259|page=442}}</ref><ref name="spsAviation">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912–2002) – SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Burge1930">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0zOAAAAMAAJ&q=r.+n.+chawla+air|title=The Air Annual of the British Empire|last=Burge|first=Cyril G.|date=1930|publisher=Gale & Polden.|language=en}}</ref> Members of the Punjab Association and officials from the [[Air Ministry]] were also present.<ref name=Cluett1980/>
Unable to cover the cost of participating, Chawla teamed up with 17-year-old Aspy Merwan Engineer, who had recently received his flying licence and a [[de Havilland DH.60|de Havilland Gipsy Moth]] aircraft as a birthday gift.<ref name="Express"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Personnel/Tributes/1074-Engineers.html|title=Brothers-in-Arms : The Flying Engineer Brothers|last=Singh|first=Farida|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> On 3 March 1930, with Chawla as the main pilot, they both flew the aircraft from Karachi, to [[Croydon Airport]], England, taking 17 days.<ref name="spsAviation"/><ref name="FlightMay1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0519 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054656/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200519.html?search=chawla|url-status=dead}}</ref> After losing their way a number of times, they were received at Croydon by a welcoming crowd and presented with garlands of flowers by the Mayor of London and rewarded with 7,500 rupees from the Indian government.<ref name="Sapru2014">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEa6DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT442|title=Combat Lore: Indian Air Force 1930-1945|last=Sapru|first=Somnath|publisher=KW Publishers|year=2014|isbn=9789383649259|page=442}}</ref><ref name="spsAviation">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=578|title=Aspy Engineer (1912–2002) – SP's Aviation|website=www.sps-aviation.com|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Burge1930">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0zOAAAAMAAJ&q=r.+n.+chawla+air|title=The Air Annual of the British Empire|last=Burge|first=Cyril G.|date=1930|publisher=Gale & Polden.|language=en}}</ref> Members of the Punjab Association and officials from the [[Air Ministry]] were also present.<ref name=Cluett1980/>


On 27 March 1930, ''The Wallington and Carshalton Times'' captured the arrival at Croydon with a photograph of both pilots and the headline "From India's coral strand". Under the image were the words "Victor’s laurels".<ref name=Cluett1980>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/croydon-airport-the-great-days-1928-1939-by-douglas-cluett-joanna-nash-bob-learmonth/oclc/16475697|title=Croydon Airport: the great days, 1928-1939 : [by] Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmonth.|last1=Cluett|first1=Douglas|last2=Nash|first2=Joanna|last3=Learmonth|first3=Bob|last4=Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|date=1980|publisher=London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|isbn=0950322482|location=Sutton, Surrey (Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey)|pages=16–18|language=en|chapter=2. Life at the Airport|oclc=16475697}}</ref>
On 27 March 1930, ''The Wallington and Carshalton Times'' captured the arrival at Croydon with a photograph of both pilots and the headline "From India's coral strand". Under the image were the words "Victor’s laurels".<ref name=Cluett1980>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/croydon-airport-the-great-days-1928-1939-by-douglas-cluett-joanna-nash-bob-learmonth/oclc/16475697|title=Croydon Airport: the great days, 1928-1939 : [by] Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmonth.|last1=Cluett|first1=Douglas|last2=Nash|first2=Joanna|last3=Learmonth|first3=Bob|last4=Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|date=1980|publisher=London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services|isbn=0950322482|location=Sutton, Surrey (Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey)|pages=16–18|language=en|chapter=2. Life at the Airport|oclc=16475697}}</ref>


A reception was held on 10 April 1930.<ref name="FlightApril1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200464.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0464 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref> Aspy Engineer shortly returned to Karachi and won the prize, beating [[J. R. D. Tata]] by a few hours and winning over [[Man Mohan Singh (pilot)|Man Mohan Singh]] due to a technical issue.<ref name="spsAviation"/>
A reception was held on 10 April 1930.<ref name="FlightApril1930">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1930/untitled0%20-%200464.html?search=chawla|title=1930 {{!}} 0464 {{!}} Flight Archive|website=www.flightglobal.com|access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> Aspy Engineer shortly returned to Karachi and won the prize, beating [[J. R. D. Tata]] by a few hours and winning over [[Man Mohan Singh (pilot)|Man Mohan Singh]] due to a technical issue.<ref name="spsAviation"/>


The 1965 ''Who's Who of Aviation Directory of Asia'' describes Chawla as "the first Indian to pilot an aircraft from Karachi to Croydon, UK in 1930".<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
The 1965 ''Who's Who of Aviation Directory of Asia'' describes Chawla as "the first Indian to pilot an aircraft from Karachi to Croydon, UK in 1930".<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
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In 1934, Chawla flew from India to England, solo, in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
In 1934, Chawla flew from India to England, solo, in a [[de Havilland Puss Moth]].<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
   
   
On 1 August 1940, following training at [[PAF Base Faisal]], [[Karachi]], he was commissioned into the [[Royal Air Force]] as an equipment officer.<ref name="Sapru2014"/> After the [[partition of India]], Chawla became the senior most equipment officer in the [[Indian Air force]].<ref name="EngineerMemoirs1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1188-aspy-engineer.html|title=Air Marshal Aspy Engineer's Recollections|last=Engineer|first=Air Marshal Aspy|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> He retired as Wing Commander in 1953, having flown 960 hours as a civilian pilot.<ref name="Sapru2014"/>
On 1 August 1940, following training at [[PAF Base Faisal]], [[Karachi]], he was commissioned into the [[Royal Air Force]] as an equipment officer.<ref name="Sapru2014"/> After the [[partition of India]], Chawla became the senior most equipment officer in the [[Indian Air force]].<ref name="EngineerMemoirs1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/ww2/veterans/1188-aspy-engineer.html|title=Air Marshal Aspy Engineer's Recollections|last=Engineer|first=Air Marshal Aspy|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|language=en-gb|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> He retired as Wing Commander in 1953, having flown 960 hours as a civilian pilot.<ref name="Sapru2014"/>


==Death==
==Death==
Chawla died on 23 February 1986.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
Chawla died on 23 February 1986.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}


== References ==
== References ==
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