Sat, 24 Oct 2026 · LIVE
Updated Oct 23, 2026 · 17:45
India News Updated Oct 23, 2026

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flies sortie with NCC cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh undertook a flying sortie with NCC senior wing cadet Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. Before the Kiran aircraft flight, he briefed her on cockpit procedures and safety mechanisms, and during the sortie guided her through flight manoeuvres and steep turns. The initiative highlighted aviation opportunities for NCC Air Wing cadets, with Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit set to take charge as the next Air Chief on October 31.

IAF chief undertakes flying sortie with NCC cadet, trains young personnel in flight manoeuvers

New Delhi, Oct 23

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, undertook a flying sortie with a senior wing cadet, Jakkula Tejasvi Reddy of the National Cadet Corps, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on Friday.

This comes days ahead of the Air Chief's final flying sortie with his first flying instructor. With this one-of-a-kind initiative, NCC cadet Jakkula Tejaswi Reddy got an opportunity to get a closer understanding of the world of aviation.

Notably, the Chief of the Air Staff is set to retire this month. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will be the next Chief of the Air Staff and is slated to take charge on October 31.

As part of the pre-flight preparations, the NCC cadet first underwent cockpit familiarisation, safety briefings, ejection-procedure familiarisation and medical checks.

Before boarding the Kiran aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief briefed her on its specifications, major components, engine functioning, cockpit procedures and safety mechanisms. During the sortie, he explained various flight manoeuvres, flight angles and steep turns. He also gave the cadet an opportunity to practise manoeuvres under his guidance.

The sortie provided Cadet Tejasvi with practical exposure to aviation, encouraging her to pursue her aspiration of becoming an aviator. It also highlighted the opportunities available to NCC Air Wing cadets to gain experience in aviation and explore careers in the Defence Forces.

This experience helped Tejaswi realise that flying an aircraft requires not only technical knowledge but also the ability to make sound decisions, remain vigilant, and the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols.

The initiative also highlighted the opportunities available in the aviation sector for cadets in the Air Wing of the NCC. Through the NCC, young people get the chance to gain practical flying experience and explore the possibilities of pursuing a career in the defence services.

"The National Cadet Corps is expanding its training programmes to foster skills, self-confidence, and leadership qualities among the youth. In line with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047' (Developed India 2047), the objective is to empower young people to hone their talents and contribute to nation-building," NCC, the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces, said in a statement.

— IANS

Reader’s Guide · AI-assisted, based only on the report above

What the report makes clear: An NCC cadet received hands-on aviation exposure from the serving Air Chief during a training sortie.

Still open: The report does not yet say how cadets are selected for such sorties or how often they are offered.

Another way to look at it: Such high-profile sorties can inspire cadets, though wider access to flying time matters for those outside these opportunities.

Should the NCC expand flying opportunities so more cadets can experience such sorties?

Reader Voices

Leave a comment

Be kind. Add to the conversation. 0/50
Thank you — your comment has been submitted.
JS blocked