Bengaluru: IAF's first women pilots are all set to begin their simulation training on the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer at the Bidar Air Force Station (AFS) in Karnataka.
Flying officers Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh completed their first leg of training on Kiran and Pilatus aircraft at the Dundugal air force academy two months ago.
The trio will initially train on Hawk simulators before flying supersonic aircrafts. After their training in basic formations for combat flying here, the women will proceed to the AFS in Midnapore, West Bengal, for advanced training. "They will continue to fly Hawks there as well. But, the level of training will differ," the source added.
With their induction into the IAF, the women had put to an end the prolonged debate over women involvement in combat roles. Although the move by IAF is experimental, lasting only three years, experts believe it will have a significant impact in the future.