Dream come true: IAF chief AP Singh flies his final sortie in uniform with first instructor
With his retirement scheduled for later this month, the flight was an emotional moment for Singh.
PTC News Desk: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his “last sortie in uniform” in a Kiran aircraft on Tuesday at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Dundigal, near Hyderabad. He described the flight as completing a full circle, as the Kiran was the aircraft that first introduced him to flying.
With his retirement scheduled for later this month, the flight was an emotional moment for Singh. He flew alongside his former instructor, retired Wing Commander V S Kochchar, who taught him to fly at the same academy nearly four decades ago.
Recalling his first flight with Kochchar on January 20, 1984, Singh said he was grateful to have his teacher beside him for his final flight in uniform.
After he landed, Singh received a water cannon salute as a mark of respect. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1984 and was awarded the Sword of Honour. On October 12, Singh had flown his final sortie in a fighter jet, an indigenous Tejas aircraft, during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur Air Force Station.
When asked about beginning and ending his flying career with the Kiran aircraft, Singh described it as a “dream come true.”
"I started my journey with the same aircraft. I think I must be the only Chief who is retiring on the basic aircraft he flew is still serving. I am very grateful to my instructor Kochchar sir who taught me flying in the beginning, in this place itself. So, I just wanted the circle to be complete," he told reporters after landing.