Chennai: Eight Indian Navy pilots graduated from INS Rajali at Arakkonam at special Passing Out Parade (POP) held by adhering to all safety and social distancing norms, to mark the graduation of the 94th Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC).
The Eight Indian Navy pilots were awarded prestigious âWings of Goldâ by Commodore Shreerang Joglekar, Commanding Officer INS Rajali.
The newly graduated pilots will be appointed to various front line operational units of the Indian Navy where they will take on various missions such as SAR, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and anti-piracy patrols.
The pilots underwent rigorous flying and ground training for 20 weeks at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the Helicopter Training School (HTS).
As the COVID-19 pandemic affected all operations worldwide bringing things to a standstill, with enforcement of national lockdown across the country, training activities for the pilots at HTS also had to be restricted keeping in mind the safety aspects against COVID-19.
Despite a setback of more than a month, the unit, while adhering to all the safety precautions, promulgated new procedures for conduct of safe flying operations, including daily sanitisation of aircraft and squadron premises by maintaining a safe and conducive training environment adhering to social distancing norms.
A defence release here said training re-commenced from 20 April and methodical planning and execution, resulted in time bound completion.
The performance of the squadron to provide well trained and professionally sound helicopter pilots to the Indian Navy âon timeâ remains unmatched.
During the course, the trainee pilots were introduced to several nuances of helicopter flying. They underwent a challenging syllabus, including navigation, night flying and operations over sea.
At the end of the course, the trainees were adjudged for âBest in Flyingâ, âBest in Ground Subjectsâ and âBest in Overall Order of Meritâ.
After the ceremonial review, the Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy was awarded to Lt Pankaj Thakur for being adjudged as the Best All Round Trainee Pilot, and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy to SLt Brahmjot Singh Chopra for standing first in order of merit in Flying.
A book prize was also awarded to Lt Ashwin M for standing first in ground subjects.
In its rich heritage spanning almost five decades, INAS 561 (HTS) located at INS Rajali, Arakkonam commanded by Capt Krishanu De, has trained 733 pilots for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard as well as from friendly foreign navies.