Squadron Leader Prabhakar Vasudeo Ghotge has been on the posted strength of one of the Base Repair Depots (BRD) since January 1978 as Officer i/c Test Flight. He is one of the few test Pilots qualified for production test flying on both Rotary Wing (Chetak and Cheetah) and Fixed Wing (Krishak, HT-2 and Otter) aircraft and probably the only test pilot currently employed in these multi type production testing duties. During the production year 1979-80, he test flew 31 aircraft and during 1980-81 36 aircraft single handed. During these two years, he has also test flown and cleared 77 storage aircraft which were ferried out from this depot to various units. During this period, he has test flown 1005 hours and has cleared a total of 105 production aircraft and 112 storage aircraft. This entire performance has been without a single incident or accident which speaks very highly of his superlative professional competence and exceptional airmanship. During last two years this depot has not received a single complaint about produced aircraft from operators, which speaks volumes about the standard of flight testing for each aircraft. His exceptional devotion to duty, his dynamic and objective approach to problems, his personal involvement during rectification and human touch in dealing with technicians have been a constant source of inspiration to the technical personnel of this depot and have been in the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force. Squadron Leader Prabhakar Vasudeo Ghotge has thus displayed high professional competence and exceptional devotion to duty. |