IAF Chief Takes Final Trainer Sortie Near Hyderabad, Flies Kiran Aircraft
The 55-minute flight reunited him with his first instructor and the same Kiran aircraft that began his career, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew a HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, undertaking his final trainer sortie before superannuating on October 31, 2026.
- Marking a full-circle moment, Singh returned to the academy where he began his flying career in 1984, reuniting with his first instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochchar, at the same location.
- The 55-minute flight in aircraft U 707 held profound significance as Singh reconnected with the trainer that shaped his career, following his Tejas sortie during Exercise Tarang Shakti on October 12.
- Following the landing, Singh received a water cannon salute as Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, is scheduled to succeed him as the next Chief of the Indian Air Force.
- The event honored the Indian Air Force's training traditions and the enduring role of mentors in nurturing generations of air warriors, with Singh expressing gratitude that the Kiran remains an iconic trainer in service today.
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IAF Chief AP Singh completes final sortie in Kiran aircraft with first instructor before retirement
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh completed his final flying sortie in uniform aboard a Kiran trainer, returning to the aircraft in which his IAF flying journey began in 1984. The 55-minute flight with his first instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochar (Retd), marked an emotional full-circle moment.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, flew his last sortie in the HJT-16 Kiran Mark-1 on October 20. He completed a 55-minute sortie with his first instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochhar (retd), marking a memorable end to his flying career.
IAF chief AP Singh completes final flying sortie in Kiran trainer aircraft
New Delhi, Oct 20: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Tuesday completed his final flying sortie in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, flying the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochar (Retd). The 55-minute sortie marked the culmination of more than four decades of the Air Chief's flying journey, bringing his career in the cockpit full circle. The sortie was particularly significan…
IAF chief takes final trainer sortie in Kiran aircraft with his first flying instructor
The 55-minute sortie holds major significance as the IAF chief returned to the same type of aircraft in which he began his flying journey, flying with the instructor who first taught him, in an aircraft bearing the tail number U 707.
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