Life of a Pilot at Indian Air Force VS Private Airlines

Group captain PS Arora, a recently-retired group captain, talks about life in the IAF as a transport pilot.

You have worked as a transport pilot and now are a pilot with a private carrier. What difference do you see between the two?

Apart from the salary, the nature of work is very different. In the Air Force, everything is done for defence or military purposes. Landing at treacherous places such as Ladakh is a different experience altogether. At times you get to indulge in joint exercises with foreign forces while with a private carrier, it is only the passenger's comfort and safety that is vital. The Airbus, which I now fly, is relatively modern and it is also quite exciting to fly the aircraft.

At Air Force stations, officers enjoy evenings in clubs and they get numerous perks and facilities, including accommodation. Would you call this lifestyle opulent?

If officers spend time in the clubs, it doesn't happen only for enjoyment. Instead, it is done to strengthen professional harmony. Those interactions and meetings bring them closer at a personal level. Of course, they enjoy also at the same time, but fun is not the only reason for which they go there.

Why did you take retirement from the force at the age of 46?

Had I continued to serve the force, I would have retired at the same designation at 54. At that age, it's difficult to find a job in the private sector. The IAF can't promote every officer because the hierarchy is like a pyramid which is narrow at the top and only a few can reach there.

Competition gets stiffer because transport pilots have to contend with fighter pilots as well as helicopter pilots.

However, there is no doubt that I still cherish my time in the IAF and if one keeps getting promoted, there is nothing like the Air Force.

What all assignments have you carried out in the service?

I have performed a lot of activities such as ferrying load, routine courier, training paratroopers of the army and dropping supplies for people in areas with fractured road connectivity.

The cons of the career?

Growth is one thing which the Air Force can't offer to everyone, because of the limited vacancies.

You may also like to read: Pilot Pleasure: Flying For Indian Air Force and Career As A Transport Pilot

Author: Vimal Chander Joshi (HT Horizons)

Date: 22nd January, 2011

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