The Indian Air Force celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of the 47th batch of its test pilots from the esteemed Flight Test Course (FTC) at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru. The ceremony, attended by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh—a distinguished alumnus of the course—underscored the IAF’s commitment to excellence in aviation.
Spanning 48 weeks, the FTC is recognized as one of the most demanding training regimens in military aviation. It produces elite experimental test pilots tasked with evaluating new aircraft and systems prior to their induction into service. These officers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of military aviation by drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and determining operational parameters for new platforms.
During his address to the graduates, Air Chief Marshal Singh underscored the strategic importance of test flying, describing it as a specialized field that necessitates extraordinary skill, integrity, and dedication. He reaffirmed the IAF’s focus on self-reliance in defense capabilities, highlighting indigenous initiatives such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-II programs.
The Air Chief called upon the newly graduated test pilots and engineers to embody the IAF’s core values of Precision and Excellence, which he identified as essential for strengthening India’s self-reliance in defense.
Awards were presented during the ceremony to recognize outstanding performances throughout the course. Squadron Leader S Bhardwaj was honored with the Suranjan Das Trophy for being the best all-round student test pilot. Squadron Leader Ajay Tripathi received the Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for excellence in flight evaluation, while Squadron Leader Subhrajyoti Paul was awarded the Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword for being the best all-round student flight test engineer.
Additional accolades 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 batch of test pilots not only highlights the IAF’s rigorous training standards but also reflects a commitment to developing homegrown aviation expertise to meet the evolving needs of India’s defense landscape.
