NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUNE 14
A special Passing-out Parade (POP) adhering to all safety and social distancing norms was held at the Naval Air Station Rajali, Arakkonam to mark the graduation of the 94th Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) on Saturday (June 13).
Eight Indian Navy pilots were awarded prestigious “Wings of Gold” by Commodore Shreerang Joglekar Commanding Officer INS Rajali. The pilots underwent rigorous flying and ground training for 20 weeks at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the Helicopter Training School (HTS).
When the global Pandemic COVID-19 affected all operations worldwide bringing things to a standstill, with enforcement of national lockdown across the country, training activities for the pilots at Helicopter Training School also had to be severely restricted keeping in mind the safety aspects against COVID -19.
Despite a setback of more than a month, the unit, whilst adhering to all the safety precautions, promulgated new procedures for conduct of safe flying operations including daily sanitisation of aircraft and squadron premises whilst maintaining a safe and conducive training environment adhering to social distancing norms.
Training was recommenced from April 20 and methodical planning and execution, resulted in time bound completion. The performance of the squadron to provide well trained and professionally sound helicopter pilots to the Indian Navy ‘on time’ remains unmatched.
During the course, the trainee pilots are introduced to several nuances of helicopter flying.
The pilots undergo a challenging syllabus including navigation, night flying and operations over sea. At the end of the course, the trainees are adjudged for ‘Best in Flying’, ‘Best in Ground Subjects’ and ‘Best in Overall Order of Merit’.
After the ceremonial review, the Chief Guest awarded the Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy to Lt Pankaj Thakur for being adjudged as the Best All Round Trainee Pilot and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy to Lt Brahmjot Singh Chopra for standing first in order of merit in Flying. A book prize was also awarded to Lt Ashwin M for standing first in ground subjects.
The newly qualified pilots will be appointed to various front-line operational units of the Indian Navy where they will take on various missions such as SAR, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and anti-piracy patrols.
In its rich heritage spanning almost five decades, INAS 561 (HTS) located at INS Rajali at Arakkonam is commanded by Captain Krishanu De, has trained 733 pilots for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as from the Navy units of the friendly countries, a release from Defence PRO said.
