The Indian Air Force marked a significant milestone as the 47th batch of its test pilots graduated from the prestigious Flight Test Course (FTC) at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru. The event, held on Friday, was graced by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who is himself a graduate of the same course.
Conducted over 48 weeks, the FTC is one of the most demanding training programs in military aviation, producing elite experimental test pilots who evaluate new aircraft and systems before they are inducted into service. These officers are also responsible for drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and setting operational parameters for new platforms.
Addressing the graduates, Air Chief Marshal Singh emphasized the strategic importance of test flying, calling it a highly specialized domain that demands exceptional levels of skill, integrity, and dedication. He also reaffirmed the IAF’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence capabilities through indigenous initiatives like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-II programs.
The Air Chief urged the newly minted test pilots and engineers to uphold the IAF’s core values of Precision and Excellence, key pillars in building a stronger and more self-reliant India.
During the ceremony, awards were presented to officers who excelled during the course. Squadron Leader S Bhardwaj received the prestigious Suranjan Das Trophy for best all-round student test pilot, while Squadron Leader Ajay Tripathi was awarded the Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for best performance in flight evaluation. The Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword for best all-round student flight test engineer went to Squadron Leader Subhrajyoti Paul.
Other recognitions included the Dunlop Trophy for best test engineer in flight evaluation awarded to Wing Commander Ashwini Singh, and the Kapil Bhargava Trophy for excellence in ground subjects presented to Major Kaustubh Kunte.
The graduation of this new batch of test pilots reflects not only the IAF’s rigorous training standards but also its continued focus on fostering homegrown aviation expertise to meet the future needs of India’s defence ecosystem.
