New Delhi. Eight trainee pilots of the 25 Dornier Operational Flying Training Course (DOOFT) graduated as fully qualified and operational Dornier pilots at a ceremony held at INS Garuda in Kochi on September 10.

The Flag Officer Naval Aviation, Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil, was the Chief Guest for the event and presented the awards to the meritorious trainees.

Sub Lieutenant Indresh Choudhary and Sub Lieutenant P Sathyanarayanan were judged best in flying and ground subjects respectively. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Rolling Trophy for the most spirited trainee of the DOOFT course was presented to Sub Lieutenant P Sathyanarayanan.

The trophy was instituted by the family of the late Lieutenant Simon George Pynumootil on June 17, during the Diamond Jubilee of INAS 550, to immortalise the spirit of the officer, a qualified Islander pilot, who tragically lost his life in a fatal air crash on May 17, 1985, while serving in the squadron. The officer was the elder brother of the Chief Guest.

The DOOFT course comprised a one-month ground training phase, which was conducted at various professional schools and seven months of flying training at INAS 550. In addition, they were also exposed to outdoor exercises such as sea and jungle survival camps.