IAF chief confident IJT will take to skies

Computerised pilot selection system dedicated to nation in Mysuru

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Arup Raha on Friday sounded confident in sorting out the issues related to the much-delayed induction of intermediate jet trainer (IJT) into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Answering media queries after dedicating the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) at the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB)-2 on T Narsipur Road in the city, Raha said: “There has been a delay, but it will be sorted out in discussion with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), before the Kirans are phased out. We will work together to get IJT on line.”

On CPSS, Raha said, it is a modern facility and a result of teamwork by Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) and the Air Defence Establishment (ADE) under the aegis of DRDO. “It will help test young people aspiring to become pilots. Similar systems installed at other boards across the nation will soon become operational,” he added.

What is CPSS?
Mysuru became the first among the cities, where AFSBs are located to launch the system. The new system is set up in a two-storey building at the AFSB campus. It is classified into testing cognitive abilities and psychomotor skills, in the first and ground floor of the building respectively. To test the psychomotor skills, 20 cockpits — operated using simulation technology — have been installed.

Raha, who boarded the cockpit to test the operating systems, handled the levers while being briefed by a team of engineers — led by Director General of DRDO K Tamilmani — about the software applications.

With the commissioning of the tech-based system, the IAF hopes to replace the pilot aptitude battery test (PABT) that was in use for decades. It lays emphasis on the cognitive and psychomotor skills of the candidates, while screening them for selection into the flying branch of the IAF. It also promises objectivity in results and uniformity in the degree of difficulty faced by the aspirants.

The CPSS was originally conceived by the then scientific advisor to the prime minister, APJ Abdul Kalam, to find a better tool to replace PABT. It was aimed at addressing the issue of an alarming rate of mishaps, owing to pilot error.

Before going ahead with the launching of the CPSS, DRDO had installed three cockpits with simulation technology on an experimental basis, in another building, three years ago. ADE provided the much-needed electrical and electronics support, besides designing the cockpit. A team of 15 to 20 engineers from DRDO were engaged in the task for nearly one decade. Similar cockpits, 20 each at AFSBs in Varanasi and Dehradun, have already been installed, said a source.