Indian Air Force : Training Establishments

The Air Force Academy prepares you, both in mind and spirit, to take on the responsibilities of an Air Force Officer. Apart from developing the required skills, you are also trained to inculcate the service code of conduct and etiquette that are expected of an officer. Cadets from the Flying, Technical and Ground Duty branches of the Indian Air Force are trained here.

The Academy also provides training in flying and ground subjects for flight cadets and officers of the Indian Navy and Army as well as the Coast Guard. Officers from friendly foreign countries are also occasionally trained at the Air Force Academy.

Flying Training

If you have joined the Flying Branch, training is divided into Stage I, II and III. Each stage gradually takes you from fundamental to more complex levels of aviation. It is during Stage III that pilots are sent for specialisation on Fighter, Helicopter or Transport aircraft.

Before the commencement of Flying Training, you will first be provided technical training on the Kiran Mk-1 or the HPT-32. This involves imparting theoretical understanding and then a practical demonstration on all systems of the aircraft. You will also be required to undertake a program in aviation medicine. Apart from a complete medical examination, you undergo a de-sensitisation program to prevent / overcome airsickness with the help of Yoga.

The program also includes practical demonstrations in a high altitude simulator. After completing Stage III of specialisation, you begin operational flying at the squadron / units assigned to you.

Flying training is provided to pilot trainees from National Defence Academy, the National Cadet Corps or directly from universities. Trainees other than NDA cadets are first sent to the Pre-Flying Training School at Begumpet for six months before actually joining the Air Force Academy.

Training for Air Traffic Control Courses is conducted at the Air Traffic Officers Training Establishment (ATCOTE), which is a Tri services training establishment. The training is designed and structured on the basis of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) procedures. However, the specific military aviation requirements have been incorporated into the training syllabus.

During the BATCO Course, apart from a basic theoretical understanding of the various standards and procedures, you will undergo practical training on a state of the art Visual Tower Simulator (VITOSIM), which displays the scenario in a typical military aerodrome on a seamless 135º screen. A two week Familiarisation Visit to a busy Flying base and a visit to an International Airport also form part of the curriculum.

The GCA course (minimum 3yrs ATC experience) students will be trained on an indigenously developed, state of the art Radar Simulator. This Radar Simulator is a PC based system and simulates the latest SSR radar being used today. It can simulate any number of airbases and generate as many as 100 aircraft targets. The course comprises two weeks of theory on both Radar procedures and an insight into Radar Electronic theory, coupled with Eight weeks of practical training.
The Advanced ATC Course (Minimum 8 yrs ATC experience and radar qualified), is tailor made for supervisors who will become Senior Air Traffic Controllers or command ATS radar units. This course aims at the conceptual level study of ATM procedures, Instrument Approach procedure construction, work services related to Airfields in theory and recovery of large packages or high intensity traffic in practical.

Air Force Academy conducts specialist training for all technical and non-technical branches of the Indian Air Force. If you have joined the Administrative, Logistics, Accounts, Education or Meteorology branch, you will be trained at Air Force Academy before joining the Air Force as Technical/Ground Duty Officers. If you have joined the Engineering branch, you will be trained at Air Force Academy for 22 weeks followed by 52 weeks specialist training at Air Force Technical College, Bangalore before joining the Air Force as Technical Officer.

In addition to class room teaching, the curriculum encompasses plethora of techniques like projects, case studies, On-job training, presentations, debates, book reviews, guest lectures, public speaking, drill, games, swimming, weapon training, Yoga, field craft training and cultural activities to enhance knowledge base as well as to ensure overall development of a trainee as gentleman officer. As part of the training program, you will also be required to make visits to industrial / research organisations. The course aims at an all-round development with professional knowledge at the core.

Enhancement of language skills of an officer forms an important aspect of training, which brings out an verall development in personality for effective communication. Towards this a Language lab, a computer based training tool for effective learning of English language is available at this Academy.

Thin Client computers (on Intranet) are available in each and every room of the trainees at this Academy. This system with internet facility enables the trainees to access computer aided training tools available on the training intranet even after working hours.

Joint Services Training
Unity of objective, sense of mission through common efforts, inter branch camaraderie and understanding of functions of other branches are vital requirements of military aviation. This is achieved through initial phase of joint training wherein, cadets of all branches undergo common training on subjects like General Administration, management, logistics, engineering, leadership etc.