IAF manages to curb exodus

New Delhi: The IAF policy to tighten screws on pilots scrambling to join the much-greener pastures in civilian airlines has had the desired effect: As compared to almost 300 pilots who left the force between 2002 and 2005, only about 20 have managed to do so this year.
Latest figures show the new measures have led to a situation wherein the force is now only 210 short of its authorised strength of 3,278 pilots.
As was first reported by Times Of India, haemorrhaging under the onslaught of the booming civil aviation sector, IAF had “tightened controls”on the “premature release”of its pilots towards mid-2005.
This had come after 72 pilots proceeded on “premature retirement” in 2003, followed by 116 in 2004, and another 58 in 2005. Swinging into action, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi had overturned his predecessor S Krisnaswamy’s “liberal policy”of releasing “disinterested pilots”.
At last count, there were at least 200 applications still pending for “premature release”at IAF HQ, say sources.
But pilots can seek premature retirement only on three grounds now. One, if they have been superseded in their promotion boards. Two, if they are medically unfit. And three, on “extreme compassionate grounds”.
11/12/06 Rajat Pandit/Times of India