Group Captain Kanumilli Suryanarayana Rao (3371) Medical was commissioned in the Medical Branch of the Indian Air Force on 19th February, 1945. After serving for five years as Professor of Physiology at Armed Forces Medical College Pune, he was posted to the Institute of Aviation Medicine in November, 1970, as Officer in-charge High Altitude Physiology and President Medical Evaluation Centre. Subsequently, in March, 1973, he took over as Officer Commanding, Institute of Aviation Medicine. Simultaneously, he was appointed as Senior Adviser in Aviation Medicine, Air Force, and also Professor in Aviation Medicine, Bangalore University.

He has been associated with Aviation Medicine for a long period and has taken active part in several research projects which have contributed to flying efficiency of aircrew and flight safety. He has flown 2200 passenger flying hours to gain flying experience and to carry out medical evaluation, research and experimental studies. He has also contributed several articles to various medical journals and in particular to the Journal of the Aero Medical Society of India, which could serve as a guide to junior Medical Officers in Aviation Medicine such as 'Aircrew Care and Flight Safety'.

He is one of the outstanding teachers of the Institute of Aviation Medicine at postgraduate level and has participated in several symposia and topics of Aviation Medicine and chaired some symposia in which eminent foreign scientists participated. In addition, he has been the Editor­in­chief of the Journal of Aero Medical Society of India for the last five years and has brought it to a very high standard. This Journal has now worldwide circulation.

Group Captain Kanumilli Suryanarayana Rao has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order by his multifarious and numerous contributions in. the field of medical profession in general and Aviation Medicine in particular.