Saina Nehwal takes to the skies, flies an Indian Air Force trainer plane

Indian badminton sensation Saina Nehwal on Friday took to the skies, quite literally, as she flew in the Kiran MK II Jet trainer aircraft. The Indian Air Force plane is used to train rookie pilots.

The shuttler described it as one of her best moments. "It is a dream of every person. I want to thank badminton and the Indian Air Force Academy for this experience. I was very nervous and when we entered the clouds, I said no-no. It was an interesting experience and I have been promised that the next plane will be a fighter jet," she said after her descent.

The player said she has high regards for Indian Air Force and the pilots. "Everybody should serve the country in the best possible way in whichever field they may be in."

After cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, it's now Saina's turn to have a brush with Indian Armed Forces' way of life.

The Olympic medallist had been invited as a special guest for the closing ceremony of the Inter Squadron Sports Championship at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Andhra Pradesh.