The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to induct the first batch of Swiss Pilatus (PC-7 Mk II) basic trainer aircraft (BTA) in the city. Scheduled to arrive in January 2013, the Pilatus turbo-prop aircraft will be used for Stage-1 training of rookie pilots. In the first lot, the IAF will receive six aircraft out of the total 75, as per the Rs 3,000-crore-deal inked in May 2012. Thereafter, every five planes will make touchdown every two months. Air Marshal Rajinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, IAF Training Command (TC), Bangalore, told express that a team was heading to Switzerland. “The three-month training will start in October. We are setting up infrastructure to house the aircraft. The hangars and other ground installations have been certified by a team from Switzerland,” Mr Singh said. With Pilatus joining the fleet, the IAF hopes to increase the flying hours of cadets.
Source: Indian Express
Leave Your Comment