And, God Gets a Co-Pilot in AVM Ajit Lamba
AVM Ajit Lamba (Retd), Commandant of ASTE 1986–1991, passed away in December 2020 with over 7,000 hours on 100+ aircraft types across a 65-year flying career.
Air Vice Marshal Ajit Lamba (Retd) passed away in December 2020, just before his 85th birthday on January 20, 2021 — a birthday on which he had planned a flight at Jakkur Aerodrome with his granddaughter Nanki, a commercial pilot in her own right, representing the third generation of aviators in the family.
AVM Lamba's IAF career spanned 1953 to 1991 — 38 years of distinguished service. He accumulated over 7,000 flight hours across more than 100 aircraft types, and served as Commandant of ASTE from 1986 to 1991.
His flying career included one ejection from a Gnat and multiple engine-off landings — each a testament to his composure and skill. His total flying career spanned 65 years. In retirement, he flew the Hansa-3 at Aero India 2017 at the age of 81.
AVM Lamba received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, presented by Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma. Away from flying, he was an avid golfer, motorcyclist, reader, and traveller, and devoted time to giving flying experiences to visually-impaired children.
Source: Anantha Krishnan M, Onmanorama.com