The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday commemorated a landmark moment in its training history with the completion of the 100th Pre-Flying Training Course (PFTC) at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal.
The PFTC, a foundational training course for candidates entering the IAF’s Flying Branch, was originally established at the Air Force Administrative College (AFAC), Coimbatore, on August 16, 1969. The first batch graduated in June 1975. After moving to Air Force Station Begumpet in 1986, the unit found its current home at the AFA Dundigal in September 2001.
Over the decades, the PFTC has become a vital gateway for aspiring pilots entering through various induction pathways such as the Combined Defence Services (CDS), Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and service entry schemes. Today, nearly 40% of IAF pilots begin their journey with this course. Every woman pilot in the Indian Air Force has been trained through this programme, said a release.
The commemorative ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Training Command. Addressing the gathering, the Air Marshal underscored the need to keep pace with evolving technologies and highlighted the importance of intelligence, emotional strength, social connection, and adversity management as crucial attributes for personal and professional development in today’s dynamic military environment.
Published – May 31, 2025 12:42 am IST
