14 trainee pilots passed in Conversion Course
Vellore:Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Raman Prem Suthan, awarding the wings to a trainee pilot at INS Rajali in Arakkonam on Saturday. Wings were awarded by Vice-Admiral Raman Prem Suthan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, to 14 trainee pilots, who passed out of the 68th Helicopter Conversion Course of the Helicopter Training School (HTS) held at the Naval Air Station INS Rajali at Arakkonam on Saturday.A formation of helicopters flew past the saluting dais, as the Commanding-in-Chief awarded the wings to the trainee pilots, comprising 13 Naval pilots and one Coast Guard pilot. Earlier, he reviewed an impressive parade to mark the completion of the 68th Helicopter Conversion Course.Swapna Sarit Dash bagged two awards, `The Governor of Kerala Rolling Trophy' for the best all-round trainee pilot and `The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy' for the trainee pilot standing first in order of merit in flying.A book prize for standing first in ground subjects was awarded to Kaustubh Deshmukh.
The 14 pilots of the 68th Helicopter Conversion Course reported to INS Rajali after a short aircraft maintenance course at Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology, Kochi. They also underwent mandatory safety drills at INS Garuda, Kochi.The course commenced flying activities at INS Rajali on January 22. Each student pilot flew a total of 90 hours consisting of basic handling by day and night, advance handling, formation flying, pilot navigation and instrument flying.A total of 1,260 flying hours were recorded. The next six months of consolidation phase at the operational shore-based helicopter flights will give them adequate experience to take on the task of flying ship-borne helicopters.
