A.P. Singh Completes Final IAF Sortie in Kiran Trainer

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh completed his final flying sortie in an Indian Air Force aircraft on October 20, 2026, flying a Kiran trainer with the instructor who first taught him to fly. The 55-minute flight took place at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, near Hyderabad, and marked the close of a chapter in Singh’s flying career with the IAF. Singh flew an HJT-16 Kiran Mk1, tail number U707, alongside retired Wing Commander V. S. Kochar. The Indian Air Force said the sortie brought Singh’s flying journey in the service full circle. Its account places his first flight with Kochar in a Kiran at the academy on January 28, 1984. One report gave January 20 in an introductory passage, but later details in that report and the other accounts identify January 28. After landing, Singh said the experience felt like a dream come true because he began his flying journey in the same aircraft with Kochar. He thanked his instructor and said he had wanted to complete the circle by flying his final IAF sortie with him. Kochar described Singh as an outstanding pupil and said getting another flight with him fulfilled a dream of his own. The IAF said the sortie concluded a distinguished chapter...