- Emphasizing the Indian Air Force’s commitment to self-reliance, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, underscores the indigenisation efforts through development projects such as Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and LCA MK-II
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MAY 23
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Friday highlighted the vital role of test flying as a specialist domain, requiring highest standards of professional competence, integrity and dedication to service, a Defence Ministry release said.
He was addressing the graduates at the prestigious 47th Flight Test Course of the Indian Air Force Test Pilot School’s valedictory function, “Suranjan Das Dinner”, at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Bengaluru.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, awarded the graduating officers with certificates, along with trophies to the meritorious officers, recognizing their exceptional performance during this demanding and specialized course. The Flight Test Course is known for its rigorous training for a duration of 48 weeks and is a cornerstone towards building the nation’s flight-testing capability for cutting-edge aerial platforms and systems.
In his address, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the vital role of test flying as a specialist domain, requiring highest standards of professional competence, integrity and dedication to service. Emphasizing the Indian Air Force’s commitment to self-reliance, he underscored the indigenisation efforts through development projects such as Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and LCA MK-II. He also called upon the graduating officers to uphold the core values of Precision and Excellence, which are essential in shaping a Sashakt, Saksham and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The prestigious “Suranjan Das Trophy”, for the best all-round student test pilot, was awarded to Squadron Leader S Bhardwaj, while the “Chief of the Air Staff Trophy”, for the best student test pilot in flight evaluation, was awarded to Squadron Leader Ajay Tripathi. The “Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword”, for best all-round student flight test engineer, was awarded to Squadron Leader Subhrajyoti Paul. The “Dunlop Trophy”, for best student test engineer in flight evaluation, was awarded to Wing Commander Ashwini Singh. The “Kapil Bhargava Trophy”, for the best student in ground subjects, was awarded to Major Kaustubh Kunte.
The AFTPS has been conducting flight tests continuously since its inception in 1974. The school has played a crucial role in the modernization of the Indian Air Force’s flight test capabilities and in the development of advanced flight technologies, said PIB.
It added that the graduates of the program have been instrumental in providing critical flight test data and recommendations, which have helped in the development of new aircraft systems and the enhancement of flight capabilities.
