101 pilots wanted to quit IAF last year

NEW DELHI: IAF continues to haemorrhage from the exodus of its pilots seeking the muchgreener pastures of the civil aviation sector, which promises more stable and lucrative careers for them.

‘‘Around 101 IAF pilots have applied for grant of premature retirement (PMR) during the last one year,’’ defence minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. ‘‘The broad reasons for grant of PMR are supersession , lack of career progression and medical/compassionate grounds.’’

As TOI reported earlier, more than 500 IAF pilots have ditched their uniforms to join the civil arena since 2002. Worried , IAF has been forced to “tighten controls” on “premature release” of pilots but is still around 300 pilots short of its sanctioned strength of 3,278 pilots, half of whom are into active operational flying.

IAF does not have a problem if pilots who have put in over 20 years leave but is reluctant to part with the younger ones. After all, it takes around Rs 11 crore to train a fighter pilot and around half that amount to train a transport or helicopter pilot.

‘‘Money invested on them is recovered if they serve for at least 20 years. Military flying comes down drastically after one crosses 40. But a commercial pilot can fly till 61-62,” said an officer. While an “operational” IAF pilot now gets a gross monthly salary of Rs 65,000 to 80,000 depending on rank after the 6th Pay Commission, a civilian pilot can easily notch up Rs 3 lakh or more.

“Another big factor is that they want stability in their family lives after some years. In the armed forces, one gets transferred every two-three years,” said another officer.

Outlining the measures taken by IAF, Antony said shortservice commission for the flying branch has been modified to make men also eligible for induction in this branch.

Hitting An Air Pocket

101 pilots sought early retirement in the past year

500 pilots have switched to commercial flying since 2002

300 is the shortage in number of pilots against IAF’s sanctioned strength of 3,278

COST FACTOR

It takes Rs 11cr to train a fighter pilot, around Rs 6cr to train a helicopter pilot over 6-8 years That cost is made good if pilot serves for at least 20 years.

PAY & PERKS

IAF pilot gets Rs 65,000-80 ,000 a month. Civilian pilot makes around Rs 3 lakh or higher Military flying tough after 40 yrs, commercial pilots can fly till early 60s IAF stint involves change in posting every few years; commercial flying more conducive to stable family life.