IAF Training Command Chief Reviews Foundational Aviator Prep at Basic Flying Training School

PRAYAGRAJ, AUGUST 08, 2026 — In a comprehensive evaluation of military flight instruction standards, Air Marshal S Shrinivas, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force Training Command, conducted an official inspection visit to the Basic Flying Training School on August 07. Accompanying the commander was Sunita Shrinivas, President of the Air Force Families Welfare Association (Regional). The primary objective of the high-level review was to assess the operational delivery of foundational flight instruction provided to student aviators belonging to the Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard. Demonstrating leadership from the front, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief personally piloted a Chetak helicopter during a scheduled flight exercise to observe training procedures firsthand.

Addressing officers, flight instructors, and unit personnel at the facility, the commander stressed that uncompromised operational excellence, strict adherence to flight safety protocols, and deep-seated military professionalism remain the core pillars of military aviation. He called for a continuous modernization of the training ecosystem, emphasizing that the integration of cutting-edge technology, objective candidate evaluation systems, and modern instructional methods are imperative to gear future aircrew against the rapidly evolving complexities of contemporary aerial warfare.

Underlining the strategic value of cross-branch training initiatives, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief highlighted that bringing trainees from different service arms together at the ab-initio stage serves as a powerful catalyst for jointmanship. Building mutual understanding early in a pilot’s career creates strong inter-service synergies, establishing a robust operational bedrock for seamless multi-domain military operations in combat scenarios.