The induction of the latest war aircraft of Switzerland “Pilatus PC 7 MK II” has fulfilled the long-cherished dream of Indian Air Force, Minister of State for Defence Jithendra Singh has said, adding it has now become possible to train the pilots in the Air Froce Academy on international standards.
The Union minister flew in the trainer aircraft for some time after handing over 10 Pilatus PC-7 MK II aircraft to the Academy authorities on Friday. He said that in another one year the aircraft manufacturer would be delivering another 75 aircraft to India. Stating that efforts were on to modernize the Air Force Academy, Jithendra Singh said the Defence Ministry was trying to acquire latest war aircraft and transport helicopters from the developed nations like the USA, France and others.
Earlier, three PC-7 MK II aircraft got airborne and led by Group Captain RS Nandedkar to put up a brief display for the audience. This marked the first formal flight of the Basic Trainer Aircraft over the skies at the Air Force Academy. This was followed by handing over of technical documents of the aircraft by Air Commodore Nagesh Kapoor, Chief Instructor (Flying) to Jitendra Singh.
He said PC-7 MK-II and its associated training infrastructure comprising simulators and training modules promises higher safety standards while developing the critical skills in military aviation. The aircraft, with its excellent handling characteristics, user-friendly onboard instrumentation and modern navigation systems, is ideally suited for IAF’s training requirements.
The PC-7 MK II aircraft would be used for Basic Training of all pilots of the Indian Air Force, in addition to the pilots of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. Till now this role was performed by the reliable but ageing workhorse, the HJT-16 Kiran aircraft. Ready to receive the new Basic Trainer that will bring in a much awaited augmentation of IAF’s training capacity, a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade is already underway at the Air Force Academy.
Also present on the occasion were service and civil dignitaries including Chief Secretary P K Mohanty, Ambassador of Switzerland Linus Van Castelmur and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command Air Marshal Rajinder Singh. (NSS)
