If we asked you to name the first thing that comes to your mind when we mention the Indian Air Force, most of you would share about fighter jets. But, have you ever wondered how to become fighter pilot in IAF? These are personnel who operate the state-of-the-art machines and if you too want to touch the sky with glory, we tell you the steps to become a fighter pilot here.
Who is a Fighter Pilot?
Let us first understand who a fighter pilot is and what all responsibilities the person has before we delve into how to become fighter pilot in IAF. A fighter pilot is a specially trained personnel who flies combat aircraft and defends the airspace by indulging in combat and defence. This aviator is responsible for the following roles:
- Air defence against enemy aircraft
- Reconnaissance prior to or during missions
- Air support to ground troops by bombing enemy infrastructure
- Pre-flight inspections
Hence, the role of a fighter pilot carries immense responsibility and demands rigorous selection and training. You can always tell who an IAF fighter pilot is by looking at their uniform. An IAF fighter pilot wears the IAF Wings on the left side above the pocket. Now, we tell you how to become fighter pilot in Indian Air Force.
How To Become Fighter Pilot in IAF?
To know how to become fighter pilot in IAF, you first need to understand the eligibility criteria for the position. Just like every other organization, the Indian Air Force also has a strict set of parameters to determine your suitability. These include:
- An age bracket of 16.5 to 19.5 years for NDA entry and 20 to 24 for CDS and AFCAT entries
- A minimum height of 162.5 cm while standing and 81.5 cm while sitting
- A minimum leg and thigh length of 99 cm and 64 cm respectively
You must look into these measurements before sitting for the entry to avoid getting disqualified on medical grounds later. Once you’re clear, the real race on how to become fighter pilot in IAF begins.
Clearing the Written Exam
The first step on how to become fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force requires you to clear the written examination. Generally, candidates have different entries for this, namely:
- National Defence Academy or NDA with IAF and flying branch as the preference
- Combined Defence Services Examination or CDS with AFA as the first preference
- Air Force Common Admission Test or AFCAT with flying branch as the first preference
Each examination has its own syllabus, eligibility criteria, and pattern. Hence, you need to be thorough about the same before applying. Once you clear the cut-off, you are shortlisted for the SSB interview. Please note that you can also become a fighter pilot via the NCC Special Entry of the IAF.
SSB Interview, CPSS, Medicals, and Merit
However, clearing the exam is not enough to fly aircraft. While you will be a fighter in the organization, you will first be an officer, hence, you need to clear the SSB interview conducted at the Air Force Selection Boards or AFSBs. There are a total of 5 AFSBs in India that assess candidates and recommend capable ones.
The next step on how to become fighter pilot once you clear the SSB interview is the CPSS or Computerized Pilot Selection System. This is a mandatory test which you can only give once in your entire lifetime. It helps evaluate your psychomotor and mental skills which are required to fly aircraft. Hence, qualifying it is important.
Then we have the stage of medicals. Here, you will be subjected to several medical tests. These will determine your suitability to become a fighter pilot. Some of the common standards include:
- Specific lengths of the body and the limbs as mentioned above
- A distant vision of 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in another which is correctable to 6/6
- Maximum myopia of -0.5 D and hypermetropia of +2.0 D
- CP-I grade colour perception (you should not be colour blind)
After clearing the medicals, you must also qualify in the merit by being within the stipulated number of vacancies. Only then can you join IAF as a fighter pilot.
Training at AFA Dundigal
Finally, after the rigorous process you enter the Air Force Academy at Dundigal as an Under Training Flying Officer or UTFO. Here, you have to train along with other flight cadets. However, since you want to know how to become fighter pilot, please know that the training for aviators is for about 74 weeks.
As a UTFO, you will be undergoing rigorous physical training as a military officer, as well as advanced training to fly the fighter aircraft. The latter stage is tougher and requires UTFOs to pass several stages of the training by working on simulators, going on sorties, and racing against time to earn the prestigious IAF Wings.
Final Thoughts
This was our take on how to become fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. Remember that becoming a fighter pilot carries immense responsibility not just towards yourself but also towards those your protect. Hence, it demands a very strong willpower and grit. If there is any similar position that you wish to know about, do let us know as well. We’d be happy to share our insights on the same.
