Former Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, a source confirmed ET online. Varthaman, who became widely known after the 2019 aerial engagement with Pakistan, has reportedly joined the airline in August after completing his IAF service and obtaining the required No Objection Certificate from the Defence Ministry. Varthaman left the Indian Air Force on March 31 this year, according to media reports.
Abhinandan Varthaman was serving with the Srinagar-based 51 Squadron in February 2019 when tensions escalated following India's Balakot air strike. On February 26, 2019, the IAF conducted an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan. The action came days after a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama killed 40 personnel.
The next day, Pakistani fighter aircraft moved towards the Line of Control, prompting the IAF to scramble its aircraft. Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, was flying a MiG-21 Bison when he engaged a Pakistani F-16. According to the IAF, he shot down the Pakistani fighter before his own aircraft was hit.
He ejected over territory controlled by Pakistan and was subsequently taken into custody by the Pakistani Army. He returned to India three days later following diplomatic and political pressure. In 2021, Varthaman received the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his actions during the aerial engagement. He was later promoted to the rank of Group Captain.
A military pilot cannot simply move from active service to a private commercial airline. The eligible pilots leaving the armed forces must complete several formal requirements before entering civilian aviation.
Varthaman has reportedly obtained a No Objection Certificate from the Defence Ministry after completing his service and then joined FLY91.
Military pilots can leave the IAF through different routes. Short Service Commission officers can do so after completing their prescribed service period, while Permanent Commission officers can leave through premature retirement or after completing pensionable service. In such cases, official NOCs from the Air Force Headquarters and Defence Ministry are required.
Qualified pilots from the Indian armed forces can take up jobs with civilian airlines after completing the necessary procedures.
The former military pilots are in demand in the commercial aviation sector because of their extensive flying experience, training and ability to operate aircraft in difficult situations. However, military flying experience alone does not allow a pilot to immediately operate a passenger aircraft for a civilian airline.
Military pilots have to follow the civil aviation rules prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before they can fly commercial passenger aircraft. One of the key requirements is converting their military flying credentials for civilian aviation. A pilot who has flown a fighter aircraft in the armed forces must meet the applicable civil aviation requirements before operating a commercial aircraft.
The flying hours completed during military service are also subject to verification. A pilot's military logbook and flying experience have to be verified and certified under the applicable DGCA process. This allows the authorities to establish the pilot's previous flying experience before granting the required civilian privileges.
Military pilots also have to clear examinations covering areas such as civil aviation regulations, air regulations and aviation meteorology. They must additionally meet civilian medical requirements. The pilots need to obtain a Class 1 medical clearance from a DGCA-approved medical centre, apart from meeting military medical standards during their service.
