Tambaram AF stn raises to the occasion
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037
Air Force Station at Tambaram in Chennai was the centre of attraction recently when 147th Qualified Flying Instructors Course (QFIC) was organised on 29 November.
A total of 47 officers graduated on 29 November. These included 40 officers of the Indian Air Force, two from Indian Army, three from Indian Navy, one from Indian Coast Guard and one foreign officer from Ugandan Air Force.
QFIC is a gruelling 25-weeks package of both flying and ground training and it commenced on 17 June. The valedictory function marked the culmination of the efforts of the trainees and staff of Flying Instructors’ School (FIS).
Graduates of the course were awarded the coveted symbol of ‘Qualified Flying Instructor’ which they can now wear proudly on their uniforms. The pilots who achieved distinction in flying and ground subjects were awarded trophies.
The prestigious Majithia Trophy for the officer standing first in Overall Order of Merit was awarded to Squadron Leader Saurab Sethi. Chief guest, Air Marshal Amit Tiwari, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, IAF exhorted the pass outs to continue striving for higher standards and apply the knowledge imbibed at FIS effectively.
He urged them to inculcate the highest standards of mental and physical discipline amongst their trainees, in the true traditions of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
FIS based at Air Force Station, Tambaram, is a premier institution that has carved a niche for itself in the field of aviation training. It has been at the forefront of flying training for more than 60 years and has trained numerous professional pilots from the Indian Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and from friendly foreign countries.
The Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Tambaram, Air Commodore Man Singh Awana and Group Captain A N Karulkar, the Commanding Officer of FIS were among those present.
