IAF pilots take flight on airlines

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br />BANGALORE: Pilot project: With several new airlines queuing up, pilots have become the most sought after. Now that these airlines are doling out attractive offers, pilots are quitting the Indian Air Force (IAF) to rake in an increased ‘payload’.<br /></div> <div align="left" style="position:relative; left: 0"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="left" border="0" width="34.7%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" white=""> <div class="Normal"><img src="/photo/1082835.cms" alt="/photo/1082835.cms" border="0" /></div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">Reason for this manoeuvre: Huge remuneration.<br /><br />Pilots who earn just Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, are being offered anywhere between Rs 1.50 lakh per month to Rs 2.50 lakh for a start. <br /><br />Among the airlines recruiting are: Air Sahara, Jet Air, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Air, SpiceJet. <br /><br />Other reasons for flight: The promotion rate at the IAF in the flying branch is just 1:4 ratio. At higher levels, it could be as high as 1:10. And many pilots get passed over because of this. <br /><br />Also, pilots need to work for 20 years to get pensionary benefits and the general range of pension is said to be a meagre Rs 10,000-12,000. <br /><br />IAF pilots are also transferred to distant places and have to stay away from their families. <br /><br />The IAF spends close to Rs 8 crore on each fighter pilot on training, and it is recovered in about eight years. <br /><br />IAF sources said... <br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">...there have been recommendations in the past that pilots should be encouraged to leave after serving about 12-14 years, so that they get better money outside, do not get frustrated in the organisation, and keep the human resource young.<br /><br />Air Marshal (retd) BK Pandey said there are certain rules on which the Air HQ allows people to resign. But to prevent an exodus, the government has introduced an accelerated promotion scheme from December 16, 2004, where guaranteed promotion up to the rank of Group Captain is given. <br /><br />Earlier, it took five years for a Flying Officer to become a Flight Lieutenant, but now it takes two years.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br /></div> <div align="center" style="position:relative; left: -2"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="center" border="1" width="69.4%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal"><span style="" color:="" font-weight:="" bold="">Air HQ rules</span></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal">Pilots are on an initial bond for 10 years. But government is also at liberty to make exceptions. <br /><br />It is Air HQ’s discretion to relieve a pilot or not, irrespective of the number of years of service. <br /><br />The process takes 2-3 months, and the pilot has to specify a date which is not beyond 6 months. <br /><br />Pilots have to obtain a civil licence/commercial flying licence to be eligible to fly private airlines. <br /><br />Airlines to end pilot poaching</div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal"></div> </div>