A Microlight has only two seats, one for the pilot and the other for the passenger.

This meant the pilot, Squadron Leader Rahul Monga, would have to make 27 trips -- one for each child.

Monga, who has 15 years' flying experience, cut short his vacation for the event.

The person responsible for making this event happen was Asha Savur, wife of Air Marshall S Y Savur of the Southern Air Command.

She had visited Kanyakumari's tsunami-hit areas and promised Collector Paliwal that she would do something for the kids.

After snacks, the children trooped into a bus and were taken to the airfield where the plane was waiting.

The collector told the kids, "I am sure you will all fly many more times when you are older, but I think you will never forget this, your first flight."

ALSO READ: The heroes by the sea