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Air Force Academy capacity to be doubled
Air Force Academy (AFA), the premier training institute of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has drawn up an ambitious expansion plan costing hundreds of crores to meet the changing role of the force, Commandant of the Academy Air Marshal R.G. Burli has said.
“IAF is currently facing shortage of officers, and there is a need to increase the intake of cadets to shore up this shortage,” Air Marshal Burli said.
To cater to this requirement, the capacity of the AFA, which imparts basic training to both flying and ground-duty officers, has to be increased. “Owing to the nature and scope of expansion, the task will be taken up in a phased manner,” he observed.
As of now, the academy hosts 500 cadets, and there have been proposals to increase its capacity to accommodate 1,000 cadets. “We sent proposals for creation of assets for holding about 1,000 cadets, and this would mean building more hostel blocks, mess premises and other supporting structures,” Air Marshal said.
The induction of Pilatus PC-7 basic training aircraft will also enable the academy to deal with the increased cadet intake. The AFA will soon receive about 60 of these low-wing turbo-propeller aircraft.
Also, plans are afoot to reduce the maintenance cost of the aircraft by using indigenous products, the Air Marshal said, adding that the academy was fully equipped to impart basic training to pilot trainees and prepare them for handling the advanced aircraft.
With the concerns about the decommissioning of Kiran fighter trainers and the delay in the induction of its replacement, the IAF is also looking at various options to fulfil the gap.
“The Kiran Mark-II fighter trainer aircraft has served the IAF exceptionally well. Even I was trained on this aircraft, and though we are doing everything to keep these machines flying, they may not last long,” he added.
Link - AFA capacity to be doubled - The Hindu
Air Force Academy (AFA), the premier training institute of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has drawn up an ambitious expansion plan costing hundreds of crores to meet the changing role of the force, Commandant of the Academy Air Marshal R.G. Burli has said.
“IAF is currently facing shortage of officers, and there is a need to increase the intake of cadets to shore up this shortage,” Air Marshal Burli said.
To cater to this requirement, the capacity of the AFA, which imparts basic training to both flying and ground-duty officers, has to be increased. “Owing to the nature and scope of expansion, the task will be taken up in a phased manner,” he observed.
As of now, the academy hosts 500 cadets, and there have been proposals to increase its capacity to accommodate 1,000 cadets. “We sent proposals for creation of assets for holding about 1,000 cadets, and this would mean building more hostel blocks, mess premises and other supporting structures,” Air Marshal said.
The induction of Pilatus PC-7 basic training aircraft will also enable the academy to deal with the increased cadet intake. The AFA will soon receive about 60 of these low-wing turbo-propeller aircraft.
Also, plans are afoot to reduce the maintenance cost of the aircraft by using indigenous products, the Air Marshal said, adding that the academy was fully equipped to impart basic training to pilot trainees and prepare them for handling the advanced aircraft.
With the concerns about the decommissioning of Kiran fighter trainers and the delay in the induction of its replacement, the IAF is also looking at various options to fulfil the gap.
“The Kiran Mark-II fighter trainer aircraft has served the IAF exceptionally well. Even I was trained on this aircraft, and though we are doing everything to keep these machines flying, they may not last long,” he added.
Link - AFA capacity to be doubled - The Hindu
