I am indeed delighted to be with you in this beautiful environment. I greet the Officers, Master Warrant Officers, Warrant Officers, other ranks, technicians and non-combatants of ASTE and Institute of Aerospace Medicine. I commend all ranks for the yeoman service rendered by them while safeguarding the security of our nation. I am aware that this is a very challenging and daunting task.

ASTE is the Air Force's Flight Test center and enjoys the distinction of being the best training establishment for test pilots in Asia. This is the only institution established for training production test pilots and experimental test pilots for all the three services. Most new aircraft types and major airborne systems are test flown and evaluated by ASTE before being accepted for introduction into the services. Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) is one of the premier institutions in the world. The combination of flight testing and training makes ASTE Indian Air Force's unique prestigious institution. I have been closely associated with ASTE during my tenure as the Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri. I am personally aware of the contribution made by ASTE in planning and executing the test programme for Light Combat Aircraft 'TEJAS'. There is a close collaboration between ASTE, National Flight Test Centre, HAL and ADA in the development and testing of LCA. ASTE has also been made responsible for test flying the SARAS aircraft developed by NAL.

ASTE came out of Aircraft & Armament Testing Unit (A&ATU) which was stationed at Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Later in August 1972, A&ATU was upgraded to ASTE with the addition of the task of training flight test crew. The first courses taught pilots the principles and techniques of production testing. They were designated as Flight Inspectors and later as Production Test Pilots.

Training of Flight Test Personnel

The Training school for pilots is in close proximity of various aerospace research and development establishments as well as aircraft design and manufacturing facilities. This is of great help in showing trainees what they are expected to do. Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained by AFTPS to work as a cohesive flight test team in close cooperation with design teams. Since its inception, more than one hundred fixed wing pilots, twenty rotary wing pilots and forty flight test engineers have passed through the portals of this school. The school enjoys a good reputation among contemporary flight test training institutions in the world.

You should aim to have a virtual reality based training simulators to train the pilots in future.

Institute of Aerospace Medicine has fostered research in Aerospace Medicine and has received worldwide acclaim. The institute has provided sound medical advice, evaluation and consultancy to the Defence forces and also civil aviation and space sectors. IAM played an important role in training the Indian astronauts for the first space mission. IAM was closely associated with the ergonomic design of the cockpit of LCA Tejas and has played a key role in evaluation and approval of pilots? safety equipment. Activities of IAM have consistently kept pace with the growth and developments in the fields of both aviation and space medicine. IAM is always ready to face the challenges confronting the present day aviators of high-tech high-speed long endurance aircrafts.

The nation is proud of you and in appreciation of your services, I am delighted to present the "Standard" to ASTE and "Colour" to Institute of Aerospace Medicine. I would emphasize that this honour bestowed upon your Establishments carries with it added responsibilities. The professionalism now expected of you will be more than ever before. I am confident that you will strive with dedication, discipline and valour to maintain the best traditions of your Establishments.

I congratulate you on your remarkable turnout, bearing and steadfastness on parade. I wish you success in all your missions.

May God bless you.

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