Indian air force has lost 58 pilots in 5 yrs...

[gsm]

MiG jet crashes, pilot killed
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18559098%255E1702,00.html


AN Indian air force MiG fighter jet crashed today in the northern desert state of Rajasthan, killing its pilot.

Police said the Russian-designed aircraft took off from a military base in the frontier district of Barmer and crashed in a field without giving its trainee pilot a chance to eject to safety.

Today's crash comes three days after two of India's most experienced military pilots died when their plane crashed during aerobatics over the southern city of Bangalore.

The Indian Air Force, the world's fourth largest, has lost 58 pilots in 118 flying mishaps in the past five years, with 31 casualties occurring in 28 air crashes in 2001 alone.

[toad]

well we have a saying in the US that if it says Pratt & Whitney on the engine...it better say Martin Baker on the seat.

[dedgod]

At least we know, they've been training...
What trainers do they use ?

[AnniHilatoR]

MiG-AT I'd imagine?

[futurepilot2004]

Its why the pilots call their mig-21s "The flying coffin"

[brigadeotg]

Actually it's not the pilots...it's the media that has dubbed the 21 as the flying coffin. The pilots have no problem with the plane at atleast in India.

[toad]

...but they have placed an order for 66 British Hawk AJT's for 2007.

They also use the HJT-16 'Kiran' locally built by HAL, and that is being replaced by the start of the HJT-36 Sitara which is also produced by Hal and should be dlivered starting in 2006?

[brigadeotg]

At least we know, they've been training...
What trainers do they use ?

The IAF does not have a true supersonic trainer. Pilots directly go from the subsonic trainers(Kirans) to the Mig-21 without spending time on an intermediate jet trainer. Most of the accidents occur at this stage mainly with rookie pilots.

A deal was signed for 66 BAE Hawks recently and will be the first AJT used by the IAF. This will hopefully make the transition for rookies from subsonics to supersonics a lot easier.

All said and done, accidents from the Mig-21 will happen. A large portion of the IAF's inventory is still composed of Mig-21's which they are now replacing with advanced fighters. The IAF flogs the Mig-21's to death regardless of how old the machine is. Operational preparedness and training is never compromised regardless of accidents etc. Also too much caution will result in tying the hands of the pilots and that is not considered advisable either. So there's a fine line between advocating safety and maintaining op preparedness and that is what the IAF is trying to achieve.

[Angel]

I wish countries would be creative and build their own jets instead of just buying the good ones from other countries. Humans are so uncreative sometimes...

[Dr. Danger]

I wish countries would be creative and build their own jets instead of just buying the good ones from other countries. Humans are so uncreative sometimes...

Because its just that easy.

[toad]

I wish countries would be creative and build their own jets instead of just buying the good ones from other countries. Humans are so uncreative sometimes...

Fiiiight it... dont give in. Resist the urge. Dooooon't resort to sarcasm

No, I can't do it. Sometimes you just gotta be sarcastic.

#1 the article above shows that India is building its own jet trainers. Kirans which were built in India are being replaced by Indian built Sitara's. An AJT.
They will build more than the hawks that they will buy.

#2 "humans are sooo uncreative sometimes..." ????
Like beavers are building some really great jet trainers these days?