45th Flight Test Course Officers Graduate With Flying Colours

Ten Test Pilots and four Flight Test Engineers of the 45th Flight Test Course graduated from the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) in Bangalore after completing 47 weeks of rigorous multi-discipline training. AFTPS is integral to the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and ranks among eight recognised Test Pilot Schools globally. Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh PVSM AVSM, Vice Chief of Air Staff, served as Chief Guest at the ceremony. He emphasized the crucial role these officers would play in capability building and modernization of Indian Armed Forces. The passing out officers join an elite group of 331 Test Pilots and 148 Flight Test Engineers graduated from AFTPS since 1973. Awards presented: - Suranjan Das Trophy (best all-round student test pilot): Sqn Ldr A Mustaq - Chief of Air Staff Trophy (best flight evaluation): Lt Cdr Himanshu Kukreja - Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword (best all-round flight test engineer): Sc. C Debjit Modak - Dunlop Trophy (best flight evaluation engineer): Lt Col Amis John - Kapil Bhargava Trophy (best ground subjects): Sqn Ldr S Gautam