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The Indian Air Force (IAF) defends the geographical boundaries of the country from the air. To enable it to do this, it takes on young people from a variety of disciplines and trains them to handle jobs ranging from fighter pilots and missile technologists to meteorologists, air traffic controllers, logistics specialists, educationists and doctors. The call of duty today is packaged with unique opportunities for young people with varied abilities and qualifications, to carve out a challenging and rewarding career. There is also the promise of a privileged lifestyle, adventure, social status, and above all, openings for women too. The Air Force has several branches that include the Flying Branch, the Technical branch and several administrative branches. The Flying Branch includes fighter pilots who fly combat or fighter planes carrying ammunition and missiles. Fighter pilots are trained in air fights to shoot down enemy aircraft and attack ground targets in enemy territory. They fly aircraft equipped with electronic devices, radars and cameras to pinpoint bombing and target acquisition, which fly at 2 to 2.5 times the speed of sound. Transport pilots carry men, their weapons, guns and light vehicles in peace and war times. Helicopters are used for carrying personnel and material, including hardware and food supplies to places where it is not possible to make an airfield or road. Helicopters are used to support both the Air Force and Army and, if need be, even the Navy, as helicopters can land on the ship's deck. Navigators fly along with the pilot and guide the aircraft by using the latest avionic equipment, radars and other optical devices, chart the route, supervise loading of men and equipment, and also release the bombs. Maintaining the sophisticated aircraft and technical equipment is another important aspect of the work in the Air Force. The Technical Branch consists of all engineering sections, which are responsible for the engineering equipment and weapons systems of the Air Force. Aeronautical engineers in the mechanical department ensure the proper maintenance of all aircrafts; while those in the electronics department handle the electronic and communication equipment in the aircraft. The Ground Duties Branch includes all the departments that provide logistical, meteorological, educational and administrative support to the flying and technical branches. The Air Traffic Control Officer provides control and advisory services to enable the pilot to conduct flights in total safety. The Fighter Controller monitors the skies for any potential threat and selects the appropriate air defence system using modern electronic equipment to intercept these threats. The Logistics Officer is responsible for provisioning the aircraft with spares, fuel, armaments, etc., while the Meteorological Branch Officers are engaged in conducting scientific research on the prevailing weather and atmospheric conditions. There are also other branches such as Administration, Education and Accounts.
Joining the IAF There are two main routes of entry into the Indian Air Force. There is the Common Entrance examination for entry into the National Defence Academy for those who are between 16.5-19 years of age and have cleared plus two with science. If you want to join the flying branch, you also need to have a minimum height of 162.5 cm, with leg length of 99-120 cm, and not be colour/night blind or wearing glasses. Those wishing to join the Air Force have to take the Pilots Aptitude test, which once failed can never be taken again. Once you qualify in this written exam — which consists of two papers, Mathematics andGeneral Ability — you will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. At the time of filling in the application form, it is necessary to indicate the sequence of your preference for the Army/Air Force/ Navy. The final allocation, however, depends on your rank in the merit list. The SSB test includes a personal interview, outdoor physical tests, psychological assessment and group tests. The direct entry route after a Bachelor’s degree in certain professional disciplines is for selection of candidates for the technical and professional branches. The Combined Defence Services exam is held for recruitment after graduation. Candidates over 19 years of age can sit for this exam, held twice every year (May and October), and gain direct admission to the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, for orientation training. Those who qualify this exam are required to appear for the Services Selection Board interview too. There is also direct recruitment to the technical branches for Permanent/Short Service Commission. The educational requirement is an engineering degree or equivalent and the age limit is 18-28. In addition, if you are in the NCC (Airwing) Flying Branch 19-23 years old and a graduate with Physics and Maths at the plus two level, you can directly join the Air Force without a written exam, only the AFSB interview. Girls who wish to become pilots can join the Air Force and fly transport planes and helicopters. You can also join ground duty branches such as Air Traffic, Meteorological, education, accounts and administrative branches after graduation.
Pay and perks After the successful completion of training, cadets graduate in the rank of Pilot Officer, and are then sent to the appropriate air bases for specific training. Today, the sophistication of high technology, and the discipline of a charmed lifestyle can be the most attractive aspects of a career in the defence services. With the attractive pay and perks, the defence services is not just a career but a complete lifestyle. Apart from the good salary, an officer in the Indian Air Force is also entitled to free rations, furnished accommodation, free medical facilities for self and family, educational facilities for children, canteen facilities, sporting facilities, liberal travel and leave benefits and so on. Moreover, the defence services have some of the finest clubs, hospitals, golf courses and schools in the country. So, if you have the passion for flying, courage, leadership qualities, good interpersonal skills and a sense of adventure, a career in the Air Force can mean challenging work, which brings with it the opportunity of earning honour and social standing, along with the enjoyment of a stylish lifestyle at a relatively young age. The writer is a noted
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The flypast on Republic Day is a good time to view and admire the skills of an Indian Air Force pilot. These magnificent men in their flying machines have inspired many a young student to join this challenging career. A career which enables you to be part of the force that handles the air defence of the country. 
