Tag: fighter aircraft

Formation Aerobatics Display Team: SKAT

Anil Goyal

Even the winds stop to stare at their daring acts. The formation aerobatic team and their gravity-defying feats at zipping speeds. Loop, barrel rolls, rolls, clovers, roll of top and hard turns every manoeuvre that is hard to fathom is done in perfect precision and position. In this article, we will meet one of the members of this team. I freely admit that learning this stuff is tenuous and demanding – even harder than being married. Two aircraft close formation – which is much easier and simpler would give me…

The Saga of a Fighter Pilot: Training and Missions

Anil Goyal

After graduating from Air Force Academy Dundigal, it is training at a squadron which transforms young aviator into a military pilot. The pilots commissioned in fighter stream undergo specialized training in aerial warfare (air to air combat and air to ground combat). Fighter pilots are one of the most highly regarded and desirable positions of any air force. They possesses an exceptional academic record, physical fitness, healthy well-being, and a strong mental drive. As a combat pilot, successfully completing their missions is paramount, equal emphasis is given on their role…

Flypasts

Anil Goyal

Lord of Sea and Earth and Air,Listen to the Pilot’s prayer—Send him wind that’s steady and strong,Grant that his engine sings the songOf flawless tone, by which he knowsIt shall not fail him where he goes;Landing, gliding, in curve, half-roll—Grant him, O Lord, a full control,That he may learn in heights of HeavenThe rapture altitude has given,That he shall know the joy they feelWho ride Thy realms on Birds of Steel. Cecil Edric Mornington Roberts To be a military pilot, you need a pure passion for aviation. You have to…

Attitude Defines Success!

Anil Goyal

 “Learning to fly an airplane taught me a way of thinking, an approach to problem-solving that was applicable and effective. Pilots are very methodical and meticulous, and artists tend not to be.” Chris Carter What makes a  pilot good at what he/she does? Obviously it is not just training.  Becoming a pilot is about more than training and building flying skills. Beyond the technical abilities required to earn their wings, pilots must also develop a balance of leadership skills, discipline, critical thinking skills, and a proper attitude. And while no…

Beyond Fear and Death

Anil Goyal

You do what you can for as long as you can, and when you finally can’t, you do the next best thing. You back up but you don’t give up. Chuck Yeager In aircraft, an ejection seat is a system designed to rescue the pilot or other crew of an aircraft in an emergency. In most designs, the seat is propelled out of the aircraft by an explosive charge or rocket motor, carrying the pilot with it. Once clear of the aircraft, the ejection seat deploys a parachute. Prior to WWII, the only means of…

Die Hard Spirit

Anil Goyal

If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake. Confucius Yet, many times when a mistake is made, people try to pretend that it did not happen or attempt to justify the wrong position or try to cover it up, which leads to additional mistakes. Quite often, more damage is done to credibility, relationships, trust and integrity when we attempt to cover it by lying. Of course, there is another choice when a mistake is made—admit it, learn from it and correct it. There…

Air to Air Refuelling: Pilot’s Perspective, My Story

Anil Goyal

Air refueling is the process of transmitting aviation fuel from one military aircraft to another during flight. The procedure lets the receiving aircraft to stay in the air longer, extending its range or loiter time on station. Its purpose is quite simple, but there are a number of amazing things that happen in and around the process. Here is one of the stories, which somehow did not go wrong. Before that let us look at aeromedical aspects involved in air-to-air refuelling.