Squadron Leader Kapil Bhargava, a test pilot of considerable experience, had his training in test flights of the Avro 748 in the United Kingdom and flew over 150 hours on the prototype there. He undertook the first test flight of the Indian built aircraft, fresh from the assembly lines at Kanpur, on 1st November 1960. On its inaugural flight at Palam on 26th November 1961, before a distinguished gathering , he demonstrated the performance and the capabilities of the aircraft. In this task He had shown a high degree of professional skill , knowledge and courage