Bidar airfield was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad during the unsettled conditions of 1943 -1947. It remained in disuse till activated by the Air Force with the location of No 2 Jet Training Wing in 1963. This was disbanded in 1965 and the airfield remained inactive till 1966. The Elementary Flying School, i.e. EFS was located at Bidar thereafter. This FTE was formed at Allahabad in 1963 to cater for the increased induction of pilots under the expansion programme of Air Force. While at Allahabad this FTE was known as Pilots Training establishment and was providing ab-initio training on HT-2 aircraft. In 1966, the establishment, after relocation at Bidar was renamed Elementary Flying School (EFS). However, the training pattern remained unchanged. In 1983, the role of EFS changed with the introduction of "All Through Jet .... Read More

Bidar airfield was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad during the unsettled conditions of 1943 -1947. It remained in disuse till activated by the Air Force with the location of No 2 Jet Training Wing in 1963. This was disbanded in 1965 and the airfield remained inactive till 1966. The Elementary Flying School, i.e. EFS was located at Bidar thereafter. This FTE was formed at Allahabad in 1963 to cater for the increased induction of pilots under the expansion programme of Air Force. While at Allahabad this FTE was known as Pilots Training establishment and was providing ab-initio training on HT-2 aircraft. In 1966, the establishment, after relocation at Bidar was renamed Elementary Flying School (EFS). However, the training pattern remained unchanged. In 1983, the role of EFS changed with the introduction of "All Through Jet .... Read More

Initially formed as a conversion and training squadron at Agra in 1948, the Units moved over to Begumpet in 1957 and was renamed as Transport Training Wing (TTW). In 1963 after the Sino -Indian conflict, the necessity for expanding training on transport aircraft became imperative. To facilitate this requirement; existing TTW was retained at Begumpet and No.2 TTW was established at Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore. Here, an airfield of world war II vintage was already in existence. This deserted airfield was recommissioned after necessary repairs on August I, 1963 and began functioning under the command of Gp Capt PL Dhawan. On January 1, 1968 both the TTW s were merged to form a single TTW at Yelahanka. Later, TTWs was renamed as Air Force Station, Yelahanka..... Read More

Initially formed as a conversion and training squadron at Agra in 1948, the Units moved over to Begumpet in 1957 and was renamed as Transport Training Wing (TTW). In 1963 after the Sino -Indian conflict, the necessity for expanding training on transport aircraft became imperative. To facilitate this requirement; existing TTW was retained at Begumpet and No.2 TTW was established at Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore. Here, an airfield of world war II vintage was already in existence. This deserted airfield was recommissioned after necessary repairs on August I, 1963 and began functioning under the command of Gp Capt PL Dhawan. On January 1, 1968 both the TTW s were merged to form a single TTW at Yelahanka. Later, TTWs was renamed as Air Force Station, Yelahanka..... Read More

Hakimpet was first revived as a training airfield in the Autumn of 1951 with the establishment of the Conversion Training Units (CTU). The CTU operated Spitfire T Mk IX s , Spitfire XVIIIs and Tempest IIs to impart fighter conversion training to newly commissioned pilots of the IAF (Starting with the 55th Pilots Course (PC)). CTU was re-designated as Jet Training Wing (JTW) in 1958 with the phasing out of all Piston engine fighters in the IAF. A second JTW was set up in Bidar after the Indo-China border conflict and both JTWs at Hakimpet and Bidar were redesignated as No.1 JTW and No.2 JTW respectively. But by 1968, Jet training was again bought under the sole purview of Hakimpet and both JTWs were merged together to form the 'Fighter Training Wing' (FTW). In July 1975 12 Kiran aircraft arrived at the station and these .... Read More

Hakimpet was first revived as a training airfield in the Autumn of 1951 with the establishment of the Conversion Training Units (CTU). The CTU operated Spitfire T Mk IX s , Spitfire XVIIIs and Tempest IIs to impart fighter conversion training to newly commissioned pilots of the IAF (Starting with the 55th Pilots Course (PC)). CTU was re-designated as Jet Training Wing (JTW) in 1958 with the phasing out of all Piston engine fighters in the IAF. A second JTW was set up in Bidar after the Indo-China border conflict and both JTWs at Hakimpet and Bidar were redesignated as No.1 JTW and No.2 JTW respectively. But by 1968, Jet training was again bought under the sole purview of Hakimpet and both JTWs were merged together to form the 'Fighter Training Wing' (FTW). In July 1975 12 Kiran aircraft arrived at the station and these .... Read More

Hakimpet was first revived as a training airfield in the Autumn of 1951 with the establishment of the Conversion Training Units (CTU). The CTU operated Spitfire T Mk IX s , Spitfire XVIIIs and Tempest IIs to impart fighter conversion training to newly commissioned pilots of the IAF (Starting with the 55th Pilots Course (PC)). CTU was re-designated as Jet Training Wing (JTW) in 1958 with the phasing out of all Piston engine fighters in the IAF. A second JTW was set up in Bidar after the Indo-China border conflict and both JTWs at Hakimpet and Bidar were redesignated as No.1 JTW and No.2 JTW respectively. But by 1968, Jet training was again bought under the sole purview of Hakimpet and both JTWs were merged together to form the 'Fighter Training Wing' (FTW). In July 1975 12 Kiran aircraft arrived at the station and these .... Read More

After Independence, the IAF setup the Armament Training Wing for Air to Ground and Air to Air Armament training. It had an air to ground range at Sarmat and and air to air range in gulf of Kutch near the coastal strip of Jodhya - Balachandi. The ATW had a staff of PAIs (Pilot Attack instructors) who conducted the training. It has no aircrafts of its own except a few Dakotas. The ATW staff was considered the cream the fighter pilots. In 1957-58 a PAI School (Pilot Attack Instructors) was formed to train instructors. A new Air to Air range was bought into Gulf of Arabia. In 1964, a new operational Conversion Units (OCU) was formed with Hunter aircraft. the PAI school was closed in 1975. OCU moved out and TACDE moved in. On 22 April 1978, ATW was converted into a operational wing by the name of 33 Wing..... Read More

Suryalanka means the "island of the Surya" and was formed as IAF's Missile firing range. It was initially formed as a C&MU and became a station in July 1969 which housed the 259 SU with a P-30 Radar. The role was enhanced to provide facilities for firing GW for Army and Air Force. In Dec 1975 the first station commander took over on being made a permanent establishment. While earlier under the command of CAC, it moved to SAC when SAC was formed in 1984. .... Read More

In May 1969, 1 TTF ( Cochin) and 2 TTF (Palam) were raised to support target towing for the Air Defence elements of Navy/ Army respectively. In June 1985, both Unitss were equipped with Canberra B(I)58. Units were relocated to Pune( 1 TTU) and Agra (2 TTU) in November 1987 At this point the roles of supporting Navy/ Army was changed to Banner Towing for Air-to-Air needs for the IAF. Sometime between 1969 and 1987, the Army/Navy support role had been passed on to a flight from 6 Sqn with the specially modified variant of the Canerra - TT418 with the pylon mounted Rushton winch and target. On 15th June 1992, a Unitsed TTU was raised at Agra by merging 1 TTU, 2 TTU and TT flight from 6 Sqn. With the merger, the Units took on the Banner, Sleeve and Rustom Target Towing for all three services. Banner Towing ceased on 31st Ma.... Read More

In May 1969, 1 TTF ( Cochin) and 2 TTF (Palam) were raised to support target towing for the Air Defence elements of Navy/ Army respectively. In June 1985, both Unitss were equipped with Canberra B(I)58. Units were relocated to Pune( 1 TTU) and Agra (2 TTU) in November 1987 At this point the roles of supporting Navy/ Army was changed to Banner Towing for Air-to-Air needs for the IAF. Sometime between 1969 and 1987, the Army/Navy support role had been passed on to a flight from 6 Sqn with the specially modified variant of the Canerra - TT418 with the pylon mounted Rushton winch and target. On 15th June 1992, a Unitsed TTU was raised at Agra by merging 1 TTU, 2 TTU and TT flight from 6 Sqn. With the merger, the Units took on the Banner, Sleeve and Rustom Target Towing for all three services. Banner Towing ceased on 31st Ma.... Read More

In May 1969, 1 TTF ( Cochin) and 2 TTF (Palam) were raised to support target towing for the Air Defence elements of Navy/ Army respectively. In June 1985, both Unitss were equipped with Canberra B(I)58. Unitss were relocated to Pune( 1 TTU) and Agra (2 TTU) in November 1987 At this point the roles of supporting Navy/ Army was changed to Banner Towing for Air-to-Air needs for the IAF. Sometime between 1969 and 1987, the Army/Navy support role had been passed on to a flight from 6 Sqn with the specially modified variant of the Canerra - TT418 with the pylon mounted Rushton winch and target. On 15th June 1992, a Unitsed TTU was raised at Agra by merging 1 TTU, 2 TTU and TT flight from 6 Sqn. With the merger, the Units took on the Banner, Sleeve and Rustom Target Towing for all three services. Banner Towing ceased on 31st M.... Read More

TTF (No 1 and No 2) was formed in Jan 1947 on Vengeance was disbanded but got disbanded in July 1947. TTF was formed again at ATW in Jamnagar in 1951 on the Tempest. TTF gave up Tempest in Sep 55 and took up Toofanis which it flew for more than 10 years. TTF changed to Mystere in 1968-69. Further changed to Hunter - Roughly around 1972 and also moved to KKD from Jamnagar. TTF was disbanded around 2001-2002 with the Hunter decommissioning..... Read More

106 was number plated only for a fortnight. When the Canberras were phased out in 2007, A Flight of 106 sqn continued with HS748. Some time ago, 106 was resurrected (after the fortnight of number plating) with another type of aircraft at another location. The A Flt of HS 748 was renamed as Survey and Target Towing Units (STTU). It remains at Agra. It was numberplated around 2017.... Read More

This RPV is a small lightweight target for anti aircraft gunnery, surface to air missile training and weapons system evaluation. The CPTA squadron was merged with the TTF on 14.8.98 and became its ‘A’ flight. By this time the Chakor had reached the end of its operational career and replaced by a RPV manufactured in India called the Lakshya. TTF operated 6 of these.... Read More

The Indian Air Force Test Pilots School (IAFTPS) trains flight test crew on both fixed wing as well as rotary wing aircraft. Set up in 1973, it is one of the seven test pilots schools in the world and the only one in Asia. The school commenced with training of production test pilots and expanded to the training of experimental test pilots in 1976 and training of flight test engineers in 1983. Training of rotary wing test crew commenced in 1989. In 2011, the training of test crew on remotely piloted aircraft was commenced. For the flagship Experimental Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer course, the students follow a rigorous 46-week curriculum. There are two streams for training— Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing. Hence, there are four entry streams — RW TP, RW FTE, FW TP and FW FTE. The FTEs have two sub-streams — FTE a.... Read More

Initially formed as a conversion and training squadron at Agra in 1948, the Units moved over to Begumpet in 1957 and was renamed as Transport Training Wing (TTW). In 1963 after the Sino -Indian conflict, the necessity for expanding training on transport aircraft became imperative. To facilitate this requirement; existing TTW was retained at Begumpet and No.2 TTW was established at Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore. Here, an airfield of world war II vintage was already in existence. This deserted airfield was recommissioned after necessary repairs on August I, 1963 and began functioning under the command of Gp Capt PL Dhawan. On January 1, 1968 both the TTW s were merged to form a single TTW at Yelahanka. Later, TTWs was renamed as Air Force Station, Yelahanka. 5 Packets of C&T Flt were transferred to 12 Sqn in Jan 1955..... Read More

105 CTU was raised under 1 BRD Kanpur to train fighter pilots of the Royal Afghan Air Force. F/L Karan Yadav was the first CO and the unit was equipped with one Harvard (IT 282), on spitfire T Mk IX (HS543) and two Spitfire MK XVIIIe. The unit moved to palam for gunnery training over tilpat and then moved back to Kanpur in June 1957 to stand down at the end of the month..... Read More

On 1 October 1966 the IAF established its first Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Jamnagar with 24 Hunter aircraft (four trainers and 20 fighters) drawn from the six Hunter Mk.56 equipped squadrons, as was also the ground equipment and most of its human resources. The OTU was given a dual role: ‘training’ for which it came under HQ WAC at Palam and ‘operations’ for which it came under HQ WI (Western India) in Poona. Operational Conversion Units (OCU), The Young Ones’. On 1 Oct 66, BA313 , 02 officers (Wg Cdr Parker and Flt Lt TR Patel) and 06 airmen setup the establishment. Its purpose was to ensure the smooth transition of young pilots from training into the front line squadrons. The first intake showed up on 11 Oct 1966 and included pilots from 95 PC and were sent to squadrons on 1 May 1967. During the.... Read More