New Delhi, Oct 20 (NVI): Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Tuesday undertook his final flying sortie in an IAF aircraft, flying the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer alongside his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochar (Retd), in a poignant moment that brought his flying journey full circle.
The 55-minute sortie in the aircraft bearing tail number U 707 marked the culmination of a distinguished flying career spanning more than four decades, the Indian Air Force said in a statement.
The occasion held special significance as Singh flew with Kochar, who had guided him during the initial phase of his flying training in the IAF, reconnecting the Air Chief with the beginnings of his journey as a military aviator.
Singh undertook his first-ever flying sortie on January 28, 1984. More than 42 years later, his final sortie in an IAF aircraft aboard the Kiran trainer symbolised the enduring relationship between a pilot, his instructor and the profession that shaped his career.
The IAF described the occasion as a tribute to the rich tradition of flying training in the force and the invaluable contribution of flying instructors in nurturing generations of air warriors.
Flying instructors continue to play a significant role in shaping the professional lives of aircrew, serving not only as trainers during the early stages of their careers but also as mentors throughout their service, it said.
The return to the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1, an iconic trainer aircraft associated with the training of generations of IAF pilots, added further significance to the sortie.
The presence of Kochar, who had guided Singh during his earliest flying days, made the occasion particularly memorable, bringing together the beginning and culmination of the Air Chief’s flying journey in IAF aircraft.
With the sortie, Singh concluded a significant chapter of his professional career, carrying forward the experience, discipline and commitment that have defined his association with the Indian Air Force, the statement said.—(NVI)
