Valedictory Function of 1st Test Course (Unmanned Aerial Systems) and 25th Production Test Pilots Course held at ASTE
Bengaluru, December 19, 2025. The Valedictory Function of the 1st Test Course (Unmanned Aerial Systems) [1 TC (UAS)] and the 25th Production Test Pilots (PTP) Course was held at the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) under the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) on December 19, 2025.
Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Director General (Aircraft), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Senior representatives from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) were also present.
During the ceremony, meritorious student officers were awarded trophies in recognition of their outstanding performance. The graduating officers of the PTP and TC (UAS) courses will be involved in test flying of production aircraft and testing of indigenous unmanned aerial systems under development. Their role will significantly contribute to the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in the defence aerospace sector.
The Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS), established under the aegis of ASTE, is the only institution in the country that trains experimental and production flight test crew for fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned aerial systems. Over the years, AFTPS has trained highly skilled test crew who have played a pivotal role in India’s defence aeronautical programmes as well as space missions, including the prestigious Gaganyaan Programme. The school has also trained officers from friendly foreign countries.
To date, 47 Flight Test Courses, 24 Production Test Pilots Courses and four RPA Test Courses have graduated from AFTPS. Notably, AFTPS is among the few internationally recognised Test Pilot Schools, with its work and standing endorsed by global bodies such as SETP, SFTE and the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI).
