Indian Air Force manages to curb exodus

The IAF policy to tighten screws on pilots scrambling to join the much-greener pastures in civilian airlines has had the desired effect. As compared to almost 300 pilots who left the force between 2002 and 2005, only about 20 have managed to do so this year. Latest figures show the new measures have led to a situation wherein the force is now only 210 short of its authorised strength of 3,278 pilots. "This does not affect our operational preparedness in any way,"said a senior officer. "We are no longer allowing pilots to leave the force just like that. The country, after all, spends Rs 8.8 crore to train a fully-operational fighter pilot, Rs 3.6 crore for a transport pilot and Rs 2.3 crore for a helicopter pilot," he added. Haemorrhaging under the onslaught of the booming civil aviation sector, IAF had "tightened controls"on the "premature release"of its pilots towards mid-2005.

This had come after 72 pilots proceeded on "premature retirement" in 2003, followed by 116 in 2004, and another 58 in 2005. Swinging into action, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi had overturned his predecessor S Krishnaswamy's "liberal policy"of releasing "disinterested pilots". IAF pilots, of course, still want to earn "big bucks"by flying civil airliners in "a stable environment". At last count, there were at least 200 applications still pending for "premature release"at IAF HQ, say sources. But pilots can seek premature retirement only on three grounds now. One, if they have been superseded in their promotion boards. Two, if they are medically unfit. And three, on "extreme compassionate grounds". "Earlier, many pilots were taking recourse to the clause on compassionate grounds, which was not being implemented strictly. Now, the grounds are verified and the release order given only after they have been properly established,"said sources.

As a sweetener, IAF is negotiating with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Air India for "permanent absorption"of its "senior" pilots like Wing Commanders and Group Captains in "government carriers". Then, of course, "deputations" are an ongoing process, with around 150 pilots joining state-owned airlines and other government departments during 2002-2005. But the demand for pilots in the civilian sector is far from being satiated. An estimate holds that commercial airliners will require 2,000-2,500 more pilots over the next five years. IAF pilots, on their part, say they cannot be blamed for eyeing airlines with considerable glee. While an "operational" IAF pilot gets a monthly salary ranging from Rs 25,000 to 40,000 depending on rank, apart from some other perks like housing, a civilian pilot can easily notch up Rs 3 lakh or even more.

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