During these seven decades, the IAF has lost 2,374 aircraft to crashes. They include 1,126 fighters and 1,248 non-combat aircraft. In addition, 229 trainers and 196 helicopters have crashed. These crashes have resulted in the deaths of 1,305 skilled pilots, note Ajai Shukla and Devesh Kapur.
The Indian Air Force's long pending requirement of basic trainer aircraft can now be met with the acquisition of 75 Pilatus planes starting later this year under a Rs 2,800 crore deal signed today with the Swiss company.
A trainee aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Friday crashed in Andhra Pradesh's Medak district, killing two instructors. The mishap occurred at about 9.45 am when the HPT-32 training aircraft belonging to Air Force Academy Dundigal (located on the city's outskirts) crashed in an open ground at Annaram village of Jinnaram Mandal near the academy, a senior police officer said.
The long-delayed Hawk trainers, which began arriving in India in 2007, have improved advanced training for IAF flyers. But the crucial introduction to flying, conducted in antiquated HPT-32 Deepak and HJT-16 Kiran aircraft, is taking a growing toll on pilots' lives.
Rudy, a commercial pilot license holder, will fly at a speed of 95 nautical miles at an altitude of 7,500 feet following the Cauvery river from Mettur to touch Tiruchirappali.
A Court of Inquiry into the incident has been ordered.
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