3 min learnUp to date: Sep 3, 2026 11:41 PM IST
The subsequent time you might be on a business flight, you’ll do higher to take heed to the announcement that introduces the pilots. Who is aware of, within the cockpit could also be a former fighter pilot who made headlines throughout the Balakot airstrikes, as a lot for his flying prowess as for his moustache and his love for tea.
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, a Vir Chakra awardee, has retired from the Indian Air Power and joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot. He’s 43.
A Group Captain can serve within the IAF till age 54. No public assertion particulars the explanations for his untimely retirement.
The adorned officer, who prefers to take care of a low profile, shot down an enemy jet throughout aerial fight with Pakistan in February 2019. The fight occurred on February 27, 2019, following the Balakot airstrikes India carried out to focus on terror camps in Pakistan in retaliation for the Pulwama assault.
Through the encounter, Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet earlier than his personal MiG-21 Bison was hit by enemy fireplace. On the time, he held the rank of Wing Commander.
Following his ejection, Varthaman landed in Pakistani territory and was captured earlier than Indian authorities secured his release in a globally watched diplomatic transfer. He was honoured with the Vir Chakra award in 2021.
Varthaman is learnt to have joined the airline as a business pilot final month and was relieved by the IAF just a few months in the past.
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As a fighter pilot within the IAF, Group Captain Varthaman flew the Su-30 MKI and later the MiG-21. He’ll now fly ATR plane for FLY91.
It’s not unusual for IAF pilots to retire comparatively younger and transfer into business aviation, given the substantial expertise of fighter, helicopter and transport pilots in dealing with plane, navigation, emergencies, crew coordination and disciplined working procedures.
Industrial airways are additionally mentioned to worth navy expertise.
