Flight Lieutenant Prajwal R. Shetty, a proud son of Mangaluru, recently made his mark as a Rafale fighter jet pilot for the Indian Air Force. He prominently featured in the 'Wings Over Ganges' aerial display on October 25th, soaring over the sacred Ganga river at Namo Ghat in Varanasi. The display, part of the IAF's 94th anniversary celebrations, saw him piloting one of three Rafale jets in the central position of the distinctive 'Neelkanth' formation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside numerous other dignitaries, personally witnessed this spectacular demonstration of aerial prowess. Shetty's ascent to the cockpit of India's most advanced fighter jet represents a remarkable journey of dedication and academic excellence.
Following his PUC education, Prajwal secured an impressive All India Rank of 42 in the highly competitive UPSC examination, paving his way to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. After three years of rigorous training there, he commenced flight instruction on the 'Super Dimona' aircraft. His aviation journey continued at the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Hyderabad, where he undertook a year of flight training, mastering 'Pilatus' and 'Kiran' aircraft. During this phase, he not only earned a B.Tech degree but also distinguished himself by achieving the first position in aviation subjects.
December 2022 marked his commissioning into the Indian Air Force's elite fighter stream. Subsequently, he completed a year of specialized fighter aircraft training on the 'Hawk Mk 132' at Kalaikunda Air Force Station in West Bengal, where his performance continued to be exceptional. His journey culminated with an assignment to the 17th Squadron 'Golden Arrows' in Ambala, where he successfully underwent the intensive Rafale fighter jet conversion training, solidifying his place among the nation's premier pilots.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK