Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, today undertook his final flying sortie in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, flying the iconic HJT-16 Kiran Mk-I trainer aircraft and bringing a distinguished chapter of his flying career to a memorable close.
The 55-minute sortie held special significance as the CAS flew alongside his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V. S. Kochar (Retd), in aircraft bearing tail number U 707. The sortie marked a poignant reunion between the instructor and his former student, reconnecting the CAS with the formative years of his flying career in the IAF.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook his maiden flying sortie on 28 January 1984. More than four decades later, his final sortie in the Kiran symbolised the culmination of an illustrious flying journey, reflecting the enduring bond between a pilot, his instructor and the profession that shaped his life.
The occasion underscored the rich legacy of flying training in the Indian Air Force and the pivotal role of flying instructors in shaping generations of air warriors. Their mentorship, guidance and professional values remain integral to the development of aircrew throughout their careers.
The Kiran Mk-I, an iconic trainer aircraft that has played a significant role in training generations of IAF pilots, added special significance to the occasion. The presence of Wg Cdr V. S. Kochar (Retd), who had guided the CAS during his initial flying training, made the sortie a fitting tribute to the instructor-student relationship that lies at the heart of military aviation.
With this sortie, the CAS brought his flying journey in IAF aircraft full circle, marking the conclusion of a distinguished chapter defined by professionalism, discipline, operational commitment and an abiding passion for flying.
