Kalam missed out on becoming IAF pilot by 1 rank
Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away on July 27, 2015, had failed to realise his "dearest dream" of becoming a fighter pilot after he bagged ninth rank in an IAF test while only eight positions were available. He is widely known as the 'Missile Man of India', owing to his contribution in the field of ballistic missiles.