For at least a few thousand students from different schools in and around the twin cities, it was an unforgettable experience seeing from up-close the magnifying flying machines — the noisy Chetak helicopters, the advanced jet trainer Hawk, the Pilatus PC-7 turbo trainer, and twin-seater jet Kiran MK-1, among others.
This was the scene at the Air Force Station (AFS) in Hakimpet, where defence officials, who are normally serious in nature, were at their friendliest-best, taking the students around the vast expanse of the station where many of the country’s fighters and ground maintenance are trained.
The event, which was a part of the Republic Day celebrations, was inaugurated by the Air Officer Commanding of the training station, Air Commodore Hardeep Bains.
The students’ enthusiasm was as infectious as that of the personnel. The objective of the event was to familiarise and motivate young students opt for a challenging and exciting career in the Indian Air Force. A static display was arranged for schoolchildren to see and get a close feel of the powerful machines.
The students also got an opportunity to witness the Induction Publicity Exhibition Vehicle (IPEV), a specified modified facility that showcase various aspects of the IAF and serves as a medium to bring the air force to the doorstep of students and aspirants across the country. The IPEV gives career-related information and IAF’s flight simulator to experience various facets of the air force.
Students were also taken to the IAF museum for a blast into the past. In addition, a film show about life in the IAF was screened.
The icing on the cake, however, was that the young ones were treated to a screaming fly-past by Kiran and Chetak aircraft.
