IAF chief: MiG crashes due to pilots’ inexperience

[unicorn]

The Indian Air Force (IAF) today said most of the recent MiG-21 crashes have been caused due to inexperience of young pilots in handling the aircraft.

“Unfortunately, except for one case, the other cases point towards inexperience of young pilots who were not able to handle the landing and approach (of the aircraft),” IAF Chief NAK Browne said here on Saturday.

He was asked to comment on recent crashes of MiG-21 fighter aircraft this year including the one which crashed in Barmer district of Rajasthan on Friday.

Speaking at the 79th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Base, located just outside Ghaziabad, Browne termed the security situation in India’s immediate neighbourhood as “extremely fragile and uncertain”, adding that it warrants close monitoring. “The inimical intentions of our adversaries are further strengthened by radicalism and infusion of technology,” the IAF Chief added.

Browne said the security of Delhi as well as other metros will be a priority. “We will have a safety network that will comprise radars, early warning systems, missiles as well as air-borne fighters,” he told the audience. He said by 2014, a comprehensive and complete radar coverage network in the country would be in place. The most challenging are the mountainous areas and the process there may take about a year longer, Browne added. There are also plans to deploy fighter aircraft for quick response to any possible threat.

At the parade today, the Air Force’s first all-woman team of six skydivers made its official debut. The team jumped out of an AN-32 transport aircraft and went through a series of mid-air formations before touching down at the tarmac. The newly inducted heavy-lift transport aircraft in the IAF C-130J was another major attraction.

A total of 35 aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and the MiG-21 Bisons along with Mi-17 choppers, took part in the aerial display.

Browne said the planned induction of the C-17 heavylift aircraft along with medium and heavylift choppers will increase IAF’s operational flexibility. “Upgrades of Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 fighter aircraft along with An-32 transport aircraft are underway and will help in enhancing their operational relevance,” Browne said.

 

[SpArK]

Migs are flown by rookies while senior ones are flying MKI's and M2K's...

The damn thing needs to be phased out ASAP.. Otherwise newer pilots will be a rare breed.

 

[Archie]

Let me give u another answer

Mig21 are flying becoz NAK Browne is adamant that sqd strength should not fall below 34 Sqds
OTHERWISE 3 non Bison Mig21 Sqds should have been retired by end of yr , instead of just the No.17 sqd
I am pretty sure that we can live with a fleet of 32 Sqds for 8 Months

 

[Safriz]

blaming pilots is a good ploy to hide the bad maintinance.

 

[Archie]

blaming pilots is a good ploy to hide the bad maintinance.

The plane that crashed was 30 yrs old , 10 Yrs past its service life
Like i said , we should retire all non Bison Mig21 by end of yr , coz we can live with 32 Sqds for 8-9 months
No.17 sqd Which has had 2 ,Mig21 crashes this yr including the last one , will be phased out by end of November , being replaced by 9th Su30MKI sqd

 

[Ambitious449]

Another insensitive statement. why rookies pilots dying only in India? its planes u fools. Please show some respect to those young pilots who r dying in flying coffins.

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

blaming pilots is a good ploy to hide the bad maintinance.

Only such an awesome internet warrior like yourself would know that right??

 

[T90TankGuy]

blaming pilots is a good ploy to hide the bad maintinance.

of course , how right you are . weren't you the guy who held the candle while the maintenance was done on the fighter?

 

[Jango]

This much crashes happen only because of poor approach, the plane is at low speeds during approach, and hence, more reaction time and less probability of a fatal crash, although other skids and other mishaps might occur.

Could also be that the old aircrafts dont have as safe cockpit as of now.

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

This much crashes happen only because of poor approach, the plane is at low speeds during approach, and hence, more reaction time and less probability of a fatal crash, although other skids and other mishaps might occur.

Could also be that the old aircrafts dont have as safe cockpit as of now.

Dunno whether you understand Hindi or not(even I do not understand it completely)
but here is NDTV Hindi's Documentary about the MiG21 and the Bison
Livefist: NDTV India's Superb Docu On The IAF MiG-21
My respect for the 50+ year old design really grew after viewing this video

 

[harpoon]

When it was introduced Mig-21 was reserved for the experienced and bright pilots. So it goes on to show that how hard is this aircraft is to fly. So to put the blame on young rookie pilots for this aircraft's crash is just so insensitive to them and their families. Hope GoI put a tape on his big mouth.

 

[Imran Khan]

ok so now pilots need to change? he should give solutions not problems .

 

[Tiger Awan]

What?

you give your in-experienced pilots the oldest plane in your inventory and then also you blame them. Great chief

 

[kingkobra]

oh chief just retire these old birds before you retire...

 

[feral]

this is probably true. Thing is, we dont risk our more expensive jets by giving them to rookies. The mig-21 is probably the hardest jet to fly in our inventory, and it does indeed take great skill to operate. we urgently need those trainers !!!