By IANS
New Delhi : Six Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots have qualified as instructors on the new Hawk advanced jet trainer (AJT) the force is acquiring.
Under the 10-week programme in Britain, the pilots were put through five weeks of ground school training and simulator sorties at RAF Valley and avionics training at BAE Systems Brough, as also sea survival training, prior to undertaking flying training.
The flying phase covered 15 flights per pilot (including night flying) over the next five weeks. This is considered a particularly high flying rate.
“Once the first Hawks have been delivered to the Indian Air Force later this year, these instructors will train students who will be the IAF’s next generation frontline pilots,” a release from the aircraft’s manufacturer, BAE Systems, said Wednesday.
Paul Comer, Indian Hawk senior instructor pilot, said: “The course has been very wide ranging, covering all aspects of fast jet flying training.
“Despite the unseasonable UK weather, the 90 required sorties have been flown in just five weeks using, on average, only two aircraft. This rate of flying is quite an achievement for the aircraft and for all of the Indian team.
“The six IAF pilots have all adapted well to the new aircraft and have achieved a good standard in all the disciplines,” Comer added.
India has purchased 66 Hawks in a deal valued at $1.45 billion and the first of the aircraft will begin arriving later this. Twenty-four aircraft are being bought in flyaway condition and the remaining 42 will be co-produced at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bangalore.
Some 900 Hawks are in service the world over with different air forces.
BAE Systems is a premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, IT solutions and customer support services.
With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded 15 billion pounds in 2006.