IAF's new pilot selection system to take off in Mysuru

After a decade-long extensive research, the Computerised Pilot Selection System of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to take wings from the City of Palaces. The new system, with the aid of technology, was originally conceived by A P J Abdul Kalam, the then scientific advisor to the Prime Minister, in 1997.

The tech-based selection system will make a start from the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) on T Narsipur Road in the City on Friday.

The Board in Mysuru is the third such facility in the country after Dehradun and Varanasi.
According to information available, Chief of Air Staff Arup Raha will dedicate the facility to the nation.

Apart from doing away with the earlier system of selecting the pilots by deploying manual methods that was restricted to four to five candidates at a time, the new system (much advanced than the simulator system adopted by the Karnataka government in testing the driving skills of four-wheeler licence aspirants), helps in accurate testing method of skills required for a fifth generation pilot for the new multi-fighter jets to be acquired for the air wing of the defence forces.

At a time, 50 aspirants can be tested for their cognitive and psychological skills in the separate facilities set up at the two-storey building on the AFSB premises.

Cockpits have been installed for the purpose, besides creating separate facilities to analyse the psychological skills of aspiring pilots.

Though Kalam proposed the advanced system 17 years ago, it was only after a few years, the authorities concerned dared to get into its pros and cons. After making a comparative study of a similar system in place in foreign nations, the experts drew a feasibility plan to develop a software for the same.

As a result, Defence Research Development Organisation and IAF developed the software, with the support of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research and Aeronautical Development Establishment.

Before going ahead with the system, trials were conducted successfully, said an official.