By R Anil Kumar
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Air Force Test Pilot School (AFTPS), an integral part of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), trains Test Pilots and Test Engineers for all services & DRDO
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Graduating officers would play a crucial role in the capability building, modernization and indigenisation of the Indian Armed Forces-CDS Gen. Anil Chauhan
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Test crew with their specialist training and experience have a crucial role in fructifying and sustaining the national endeavour of ‘Atma-Nirbharta’ in the demanding field of military aviation-Gen. Anil Chauhan
Bengaluru, May 25. Twelve Test Pilots and five Flight Test Engineers of the 46th Flight Test Course graduated from the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) in Bangalore after successfully completing the 48 weeks rigorous Flight Test Course.
AFTPS, an integral part of Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), trains Test Pilots and Test Engineers for all services & DRDO. Graduates of the school are responsible for the evaluation of all airborne systems, weapons and platforms and have been contributing immensely in the pursuit of ‘Atma-Nirbharta’ in Aero Space domain.
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff was the Chief Guest of the graduation ceremony. He presented certificates to all graduating officers and trophies to the meritorious graduates.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest reminded the graduating officers that they would play a crucial role in the capability building, modernization and indigenisation of the Indian Armed Forces.
He emphasized on the importance of professional competence to ensure that the aircraft and systems meet the operational requirements of the services, highlighted the active role, that test crew could play in the indigenization drive of the nation.
Test crew with their specialist training and experience have a crucial role in fructifying and sustaining the national endeavour of ‘Atma-Nirbharta’ in the demanding field of military aviation.
The passing out officers including one from Indian Navy and one from Indian Army will join the prestigious and elite club of “the few and the proud” comprising 341 Test Pilots and 152 Flight Test Engineers that have passed out from AFTPS since its inception in 1973.
The prestigious “Suranjan Das Trophy” for the best all-round student test pilot was awarded to Squadron Leader Anubhav Berwal while the “Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword” for best all round student flight test engineer was awarded to Squadron Leader V Supriya.
