Chennai: Flying Instructors School (FIS) based at Air Force Station (Tambaram) plays an important role, said Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Southern Air Command, Indian Air Force) Air Marshal RK Bhadauria.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of 144 Qualified Flying Instructors Course (QFIC) held at Tambaram Air Force Station recently.

FIS leaves no stone upturned in training qualified flying instructors who are instrumental in producing pilots who meet the desired standards for their organisation, Bhadauria said.

These qualified flying instructors would carry the responsibility of guiding newly inducted trainee pilots in consonance with the long-term vision of the IAF, he added.

A total of 56 officers graduated at FIS. They include 46 officers from IAF, two from Indian Army, six from Indian Navy and one from Indian Coast Guard and one foreign officer from Mynamar.

Graduates were awarded the coveted symbol of 'Qualified Flying Instructor' which they can now wear on their uniforms.

QFIC is a gruelling 25-weeks package. It encompasses nine phases of flying training and over 190 hours of ground training. The training of 144 QFIC commenced on 27 November last year.

Commanding Officer of the FIS Group Captain K Sundaramani summed up the achievements of the course. Air Commodore MS Awana, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Tambaram was among others present.