IAF chief unveils new pilot selection system

Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha Friday unveiled the new computerised pilot selection system, replacing the age-old pilot aptitude battery test.

"The new system is aimed at addressing the alarming rate of flying accidents in the IAF attributed to pilot error," Air Chief Marshal Raha told reporters at the air force selection board here, about 150 km from Bengaluru.

The new system, a brain-child of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when he was the scientific advisor to defence minister, uses better tools for pilot aptitude test in consonance with modern aircraft being acquired by the air force.

"As the cockpit of the ensuing fifth generation fighters will place huge physical and mental workload on our pilots and the system operators, only the best will be allowed to occupy these cockpits," Raha said.

Jointly developed by Defence Institute of Psychological Research and Air Defence Establishment (ADE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the new system lays stress on psychomotor skills and cognitive abilities of candidates for selection into the IAF's flying branch.

"The new system ensures objectivity in results and uniformity in the degree of difficulty faced by candidates," Raha added.

Selection Board president Air Commodore O.P. Tiwari was also present on the occasion.