Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, on Tuesday completed his final flying sortie in an Indian Air Force aircraft, choosing the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer for the emotional milestone. Singh explained that he selected the Kiran because it was the exact aircraft that first introduced him to aviation when he began his military career.
For the 55-minute flight, the Air Chief Marshal was accompanied by retired Wing Commander VS Kochhar, who served as his very first flying instructor when Singh began training decades ago. The two flew together in an aircraft bearing tail number U 707, a sentimental choice that allowed the Air Chief to complete what he described as a full circle while still in uniform.
Speaking with reporters after landing, Singh called the experience a dream come true and noted his rare fortune as a retiring service chief whose foundational training aircraft remains in active service. He recalled that his very first flying sortie took place on January 28, 1984, at the same location and alongside the same instructor, making his final uniformed flight with Wing Commander Kochhar a fitting bookend to his service.
Following the landing, the Air Chief Marshal was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute to honor his departure and mark the conclusion of his active flying career. The event closed a distinguished chapter of flying characterized by the discipline and dedication that shaped his trajectory in the Indian Air Force.
Singh originally passed out from the Air Force Academy in 1984, earning the prestigious Sword of Honour. Prior to this final flight in the Kiran trainer, he had completed his last fighter jet sortie aboard a Tejas aircraft on October 12 during Exercise Tarang Shakti at the Jodhpur Air Force Station. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is scheduled to assume command as the new Chief of Air Staff on October 31.