The parade was held to mark the graduation of the 94th helicopter conversion course.
Chennai:
A special fainting parade, now social distancing, took place at the Naval Air Station Rajali in Arakkonam, near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu today.
The parade was held to mark the end of the 94th Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC) and eight Navy pilots received the prestigious “golden wings” from Commodore Shreerang Joglekar, commander of INS Rajali, according to a press release of the defense.
“A special fainting parade respecting all the standards of security and social distancing was held at the naval air base of Rajali, in Arakkonam,” the press release said.
Pilots underwent rigorous flight and ground training for 20 weeks at the Indian Naval Air Squadron 561, the Helicopter Training School (HTS).
According to the press release, due to the coronavirus-induced lockout, HTS pilot training activities should also be “strictly limited, keeping in mind the security aspects against COVID-19”.
New procedures for conducting flight operations safely, respecting all safety precautions, have been followed.
These include “daily disinfection of aircraft and squadron premises while maintaining a safe and supportive training environment that meets standards of social distancing,” he added.
During the training, pilots are introduced to several nuances of helicopter flight and undergo a “difficult” program, including navigation, night flying and operations over the sea, the statement said.
The new pilots will be appointed to various frontline operational units in the Indian Navy and will undertake missions such as search and rescue (SAR), reconnaissance and anti-piracy patrols, the statement added.
