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IAF Chief Completes Final Trainer Sortie in Kiran at Dundigal

A 55‑minute flight with his first flying instructor serves as a ceremonial closure ahead of his October 31, 2026 superannuation.

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Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew a sortie with his instructor in the Air Force, Wing Commander VS Kochhar (Retd), in a Kiran aircraft.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh with his former instructor Wing Commander (retd) VS Kochar inside the cockpit of an aircraft after undertaking a final sortie at the Air Force Academy, in Dundigal, Telangana, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. | PTI Photo
'Dream Come True': Air Chief Marshal AP Singh Completes Final Sortie in Kiran Aircraft, Bringing IAF Flying Journey Full Circle

Overview

  • Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh flew a 55‑minute HJT‑16 Kiran Mk‑1 trainer sortie at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on Tuesday, completing his final flying sortie in an IAF aircraft.
  • He flew with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V.S. Kochar (retd.), in aircraft U‑707 and received a water‑cannon salute on landing as he called the flight a 'dream come true.'
  • Earlier this month he flew his last fighter sortie in an indigenous Tejas during Exercise Tarang Shakti on October 12, linking his operational leadership to home‑built platforms.
  • Singh is scheduled to superannuate on October 31, 2026, with Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit expected to succeed him as Chief of the Air Staff.
  • The return to the Kiran highlights the longevity of IAF training platforms and the role of flying instructors in career formation, underscoring institutional continuity as command passes to the next chief.