Air Chief AP Singh completes last IAF flight in Hyderabad with instructor who first taught him to fly

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief AP Singh completed his last flight in an Indian Air Force (IAF) HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer on October 20, 2026 | Photo credit: Special arrangement

From his first sortie in 1984 to his last flight in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft in 2026, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh’s flying journey has come to a close. On Tuesday (October 20, 2026), he took to the skies in an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer at the Dundigal Air Force Academy near Hyderabad, flying alongside the instructor who first taught him to fly.

The fifty-five-minute sortie was significant as Air Chief Singh flew with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochar (Retd), in the aircraft with the tail number U 707. The occasion marked a reunion between the instructor and his former student, reuniting the Air Chief with the early days of his aviation career.

The fifty-five-minute fight was significant because Chief Marshal Singh was flying with his first flight instructor, Wing Commander VS Kochar (retd), in an aircraft with the tail number U 707 | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Air Chief Marshal Singh flew his first ever flight on January 28, 1984. More than 42 years later, his last flight in an IAF aircraft aboard the trainer Kiran marked the culmination of a significant chapter in his aviation career.

The selection of the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 added significance to the occasion. An iconic training aircraft associated with the training of generations of IAF pilots, the Kiran has played an important role in the Air Force’s tradition of flight training.

Air Chief Marshal Singh flew his first ever flight on January 28, 1984. More than 42 years later, his last flight in an IAF aircraft aboard the Kiran trainer marked the culmination of a significant chapter in his aviation career | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The trip also highlighted the lasting influence of flight instructors who continued to mentor aircrew throughout their careers. The presence of Squadron Leader Kochar (Retd), who guided Air Chief Marshal Singh during his early flying days, brought together the beginning and the end of his flying journey in the IAF.

The raid marked the end of Air Chief Marshal Singh’s flying journey in an IAF aircraft where he continued the experience, discipline and determination that defined his association with the Air Force.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 19:48 IST