PVSM for IAF TC boss

(Press Release)

Air Marshal Rajinder Singh AVSM VM is being awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), for his distinguished and meritorious service of the most exceptional order, on the eve of Republic Day.
Air Marshal Rajinder Singh AVSM VM was commissioned in the Flying branch on 14 Dec 1974. He is Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown over 3100 hours on Hunter, Marut, Kiran and all variants of MiG aircraft during his distinguished career spanning four decades.
The Air Marshal has Commanded a frontline fighter squadron besides, holding the prestigious appointments of Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Palam and Defence Attache at Embassy of India, Egypt, where he looked after five countries.
The Air Marshal has held prominent staff appointments at Command HQ and at Air HQ. He has been instrumental in changing the training pattern so as to ensure quality output and timely completion.

IAF gears up to make Aero India better, safer

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Preparations for the 9^th edition of International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence and Civil Aviation (Aero India 2013) have entered the last phase at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Yelahanka, Bangalore. In an interview to Express, Air Marshal Rajinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF, said that with barely three weeks left for the show, over 500 air warriors are ready to make the show bigger and better. “More than 27 countries are participating in the show. In addition, official delegations from 78 countries are expected during the 5-day show, starting on February 6. Our preparations began in September 2012 and the activity levels are at its peak now,” Rajinder Singh said.

Air Marshal Rajinder Singh

The show-stoppers include the Global 6000; Pilatus PC-7 (IAF's new Basic Trainer Aircraft), the C-130J and the Mi-17 V5 chopper. “The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Chinook and AW-101 helicopters are also participating in the show. This time we have a space pavilion and we are expecting the footfalls to increase , “ he said.

The Air Marshal said that based on his past experience of handling the show, the IAF has refined every SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), including disaster management, fire and aerospace safety. “The co-ordination meetings with stakeholders have been held to further streamline procedures and professional conduct of the show,” he said.

He said the IAF would also be showcasing the rapid strides made not only in modernisation of its combat fleet, but its transition from the antique bi-plane -- Tiger Moth (the first trainer aircraft) -- to the ultramodern Pilatus PC-7 Mk II.

Bird menace: With safety being the top priority for IAF, Rajinder Singh said that all out efforts have been made to contain bird activity, creating a conducive flying environment. “The Karnataka government has taken steps to contain catfish farming in the areas surrounding Yelahanka. We will also undertake bird reconnaissance sorties and have regular inputs from the Ornithology Cell, that studies bird habitats on airfields and surrounding areas to further reduce the bird menace,” he said.

Security: He said the anti-hijack, anti-terror and mass casualty evacuation are already place. “The security grid will be bolstered with Special Forces. Personnel from the NDRF, CISF, RAF and Karnataka government are closely associated with the plans. Various SOPs will be tested for their efficacy prior to show,” Rajinder Singh said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

IAF warms up to receive Swiss basic trainer Pilatus

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: 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 Bangalore. 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 of pilots, technicians and ground crew are heading to Switzerland. “The three-months training will start in October and they would impart training to IAF officers after returning. We have begun setting-up infrastructure to house the aircraft. The hangars and other ground installations have been inspected and certified by a team from Switzerland,” Rajinder Singh said.

With Pilatus joining the fleet, the IAF hopes to up the flying hours of cadets from 30 to in excess of 60 hours. Then on, the Stage-II will be on Kirans and Stage-III on British Hawks. “We have not cut down the number of flying hours in training and there is no compromise on quality. A basic Pilatus trainer simulator too would join us soon. We hope to have adequate number of PC-7s by the end of December 2013,” Rajinder Singh, said. Currently, the first two stages of training are done on Kirans.

While the Kirans are set to be phased out by 2015 and the IAF not sure of getting Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)-built Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) as a replacement, concerns were already hovering around. “Inordinate delay in rolling out IJT will be a problem for the IAF in 2015. In my opinion, to get IJT by 2015 is a near-impossible task and the IAF will have to re-design its basic, intermediate and advance training. If we are up against the wall by then,  the training will have to be on PC-7 and Hawks,” says former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (retd) Fali Homi Major.

HAL says that the IJT was back on track after the April 2011 mishap. “The second prototype has undertaken few sorties after the modification. We are now preparing for completing the tasks of stall and spin tests, which are major requirements for certification of this class of aircraft,” HAL said in an official communication. “The first two limited series production (LSP) aircraft are also undergoing the installation of the modified control circuits and will join the prototype aircraft soon to enhance the developmental flight activity,” HAL added.

Copyright@The New Indian Express

AM Rajinder Singh is Training Command chief | Swears by taking on challenges

Express News Service

Bangalore: Fighter pilot, avid cricket buff and an ace golfer. Air Marshal Rajinder Singh, the new AOC-in-C of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Training Command (TC) in Bangalore is a man with many roles rolled into one. Onboard the IAF for the past 38 years, Rajinder Singh who took over as the TC chief on Thursday, was baptisied into the IAF in 1974, staright into the fighter stream. He did his schooling from Sainik School Thiruvananthapuram and later from the National Defence Academy. Logging over 3100 hours of flying on multiple platforms, including the Hunter, Marut, Kiran and MiG variants, Rajinder Singh is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College.
With an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal to boot, Singh is the only officer across all three streams of Services to receive commendations the Chiefs of Army, Navy and the IAF. Speaking to Express soon after taking over, Rajinder Singh said that a great challenge awaits him ahead of the flightpath. “It is an honour because everyone asipires to reach as high as one can in the Service. The job today is more challenging than ever before due to the paucity of resources, especially trainer aircraft which impinge directly on the output of TC,” he said.
He said that he is donning the new role at a time when the IAF is on the cusp of a great transition into a modern and lethal aerospace power. “I am part of a great team that will endeavour to ensure that we give our best to the IAF and maintain the high standards and legacy left behind,” Rajinder Singh told Express.
Later addressing his team, the new man in command reminded his men about the role being vested upon the TC. “It is the mother of all Commands and it is entrusted with the responsibility of moulding and grooming officers, airmen among others so as to strengthen the HR for the Operational and Maintenance Commands. We must produce the best material and must emphasis that flight safety is always paramount,” he said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express