Over 100 pilots have applied for VRS: IAF Chief

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 15:28

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Tags: IAF Chief, VRS, Pilots

Gandhinagar: Over 100 pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) have applied of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), Air Chief Marshal P V Naik said here on Wednesday.

"We have very steep pyramid structure (in the Air Force) where there are less avenues of promotions," Naik said in reply to a question on how many pilots of the Air Force have applied for VRS.

"When one does not get promotions after 24-25 years of service one wants to leave and try alternative avenues. Off hand I can tell that we have over 100 applications for VRS from pilots," Naik said.

"Since there is a slump in the market outside, there are less applications. Once the slump is over the applications might increase," he added.

Naik said that the Air Force have setup independent board of officers to assess the VRS application of the pilots.

"The committee scrutinises the applications on case-to- case basis and if the reasons for VRS are justified, which mostly are on compassionate ground for children and parents, the applications are approved," Naik said.

Naik was on a two-day visit to the South Western Air Command (SWAC) here to review the Commands' operational, maintenance and administrative preparedness.

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First Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 15:28

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ADI - India
The crux is talented guys are leaving as they only know their job and cannot maska lagao their bosses which is the main QR for a better AR and consequent promotion. Thats the sad reality.

Retention of Talent is an area where the IAF has no sound HR policy. By the way you need talented guys to make such policy isn`t it?

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A ELANGOVAN - CHENNAI
It is totally false statement of IAF chief, that one doesn’t get promotion even after 24 - 25 years of service. Pilots are getting direct appointment as flying officers that earlier rank of pilot officer is abolished. After completion of 4- 5yrs of service they are becoming flight lieutenant, after 9yrs squadron leader and after 12yrs of service wing commander. After completing 16-18 years of service they are becoming group captain. Further every 2 to 4 yrs one promotion is sure. This is totally poor management of IAF that they want to keep maximum as senior officers for their financial benefits and facilities, hence shortage of real young blood which is a major boost for any force. Medical officers and Engineering officers who are really a talented people are denied the same speed of promotions as flying pilots, especially fighter pilots. Moreover all the VRS applicants cited false reasons for release will switch over to civil airlines within short period. Can they give an undertaking to the GOI that they will not join as a civil pilot? It is also understood that the real working lot of IAF is leaving which caused the officer about the future culture and working style of IAF.(They can be allowed to work in any other Govt, private or other services, But not as a pilot).