Kochi. Eight trainee pilots of the 25 Dornier Operational Flying Training Course (DOOFT) graduated as fully qualified and operational Dornier pilots at a ceremony held at INS Garuda on 10 Sep 19. The Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil NM was the Chief Guest for the event and presented the awards to the meritorious trainees.
Sub Lieutenant Indresh Choudhary and Sub Lieutenant P Sathyanarayanan were judged best in flying and ground subjects respectively. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-ChiefSouth Rolling Trophy for the most spirited trainee of the DOOFT course was presented to Sub Lieutenant P Sathyanarayanan. The trophy was instituted by the family of the late Lieutenant Simon George Pynumootil on 17 Jun 19, during the Diamond Jubilee of INAS 550, to immortalise the spirit of the officer, a qualified Islander pilot, who tragically lost his life in a fatal air crash on 17 May 1985, whilst serving in the squadron. The officer was the elder brother of the Chief Guest.
The DOOFT course comprised a one-month ground training phase, which was conducted at various professional schools and seven months of flying training at INAS 550. In addition, they were also exposed to outdoor exercises such as sea and jungle survival camps.
