Latest news with #AirForceMuseum
NDTV
06-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
India's Only Woman Rafale Fighter Pilot Is Now Eyeing Space
India: The excited little girl who first touched a plane two decades ago is now flying high as the face of India's fast-modernising military and its only woman Rafale fighter pilot. "This is where my adventure began," Shivangi Singh, 29, told AFP at the Air Force Museum in New Delhi, recalling her first visit as a child when she "gawked" and "immediately knew that I wanted to become a pilot". Women were first inducted into the fighter pilot ranks in 2015, two decades after they were allowed to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). "There have been many of us," said Ms Singh, a lieutenant. "This not only reflects modernisation (of our society) but also the fact that we can now realise our dreams." Ms Singh, who is married to a fellow fighter pilot, is the first Indian woman to fly the French-made single-seat Rafale jets. New Delhi last month signed a multi-billion dollar deal for 26 of the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, adding to 36 already ordered. The jets are part of a major modernisation of the IAF to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-made MiGs. The deal comes as tensions with Pakistan rise after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 died. Pakistan has rejected any link to the assault, the worst attack on civilians in Kashmir for a quarter of a century. India has also eyed with worry China, especially since a deadly 2020 clash between their troops in Galwan Valley. 'Be Independent' Ms Singh, born in Varanasi, had to excel in both academics and sports to break into a job once seen by many as something only men could do. "My mother was a great source of inspiration as she didn't just want me educated -- she wanted me to be independent, and backed all my endeavours," the pilot added. India's Air Force had more than 1,600 woman officers, including many pilots, according to official statistics from 2023. The world's most populous nation also has highest proportion of woman commercial pilots -- at about 14 percent of the total strength. Ms Singh detailed her experience of flying, from "nervous and anxious" when she first sat in the cockpit, to the "incredibly exhilarating" moment when flying solo. The first time Ms Singh took the controls of a fighter jet, a MiG-21, was when she "realised how much skill it takes to control" to fly. Aiming For Space Ms Singh was among the first to try the new Rafale jets. After a rigorous selection process, she was in 2020 shortlisted for simulator training with French instructors before stepping into the cockpit. "Its responsiveness is impressive... the cockpit is incredibly comfortable, you feel like it was designed for you," Ms Singh added. But her dreams are even bigger. India is planning a manned space mission, and the pilot hopes that challenge will be her next frontier. "I succeeded in a field that was long reserved for men, and if I succeeded, then women can now work in any sector," she said, adding she had applied for training courses to be a test pilot. "I want to be an astronaut," she said. "So let's hope."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
India's woman fighter pilot trailblazer eyes space
The excited little girl who first touched a plane two decades ago is now flying high as the face of India's fast-modernising military and its only woman Rafale fighter pilot. "This is where my adventure began," Shivangi Singh, 29, told AFP at the Air Force Museum in New Delhi, recalling her first visit as a child when she "gawked" and "immediately knew that I wanted to become a pilot". Women were first inducted into the fighter pilot ranks in 2015, two decades after they were allowed to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). "There have been many of us," said Singh, a lieutenant. "This not only reflects modernisation (of our society) but also the fact that we can now realise our dreams." Singh, who is married to a fellow fighter pilot, is the first Indian woman to fly the French-made single-seat Rafale jets. New Delhi last month signed a multi-billion dollar deal for 26 of the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, adding to 36 already ordered. The jets are part of a major modernisation of the IAF to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-made MiGs. The deal comes as tensions with arch-rival Pakistan rise after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for an attack in contested Kashmir in April that killed 26 people. Pakistan has rejected any link to the assault, the worst attack on civilians in the Muslim-majority region for a quarter of a century. India has also eyed with worry its northern neighbour China, especially since a deadly 2020 clash between their troops along their disputed Himalayan border. - 'Be independent' - Singh, born in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, had to excel in both academics and sports to break into a job once seen by many as something only men could do. "My mother was a great source of inspiration as she didn't just want me educated -- she wanted me to be independent, and backed all my endeavours," the pilot added. India's Air Force had more than 1,600 woman officers, including many pilots, according to official statistics from 2023. The world's most populous nation also has highest proportion of woman commercial pilots -- at about 14 percent of the total strength. Singh detailed her experience of flying, from "nervous and anxious" when she first sat in the cockpit, to the "incredibly exhilarating" moment when flying solo. The first time Singh took the controls of a fighter jet, a MiG-21, was when she "realised how much skill it takes to control" to fly. - Aiming for space - Singh was among the first to try the new Rafale jets. After a rigorous selection process, she was in 2020 shortlisted for simulator training with French instructors before stepping into the cockpit. "Its responsiveness is impressive... the cockpit is incredibly comfortable, you feel like it was designed for you," Singh added. But her dreams are even bigger. India is planning a manned space mission, and the pilot hopes that challenge will be her next frontier. "I succeeded in a field that was long reserved for men, and if I succeeded, then women can now work in any sector," she said, adding she had applied for training courses to be a test pilot. "I want to be an astronaut," she said. "So let's hope." bb/pjm/stu/cms
France 24
06-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
India's woman fighter pilot trailblazer eyes space
"This is where my adventure began," Shivangi Singh, 29, told AFP at the Air Force Museum in New Delhi, recalling her first visit as a child when she "gawked" and "immediately knew that I wanted to become a pilot". Women were first inducted into the fighter pilot ranks in 2015, two decades after they were allowed to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). "There have been many of us," said Singh, a lieutenant. "This not only reflects modernisation (of our society) but also the fact that we can now realise our dreams." Singh, who is married to a fellow fighter pilot, is the first Indian woman to fly the French-made single-seat Rafale jets. New Delhi last month signed a multi-billion dollar deal for 26 of the aircraft from Dassault Aviation, adding to 36 already ordered. The jets are part of a major modernisation of the IAF to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-made MiGs. The deal comes as tensions with arch-rival Pakistan rise after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for an attack in contested Kashmir in April that killed 26 people. Pakistan has rejected any link to the assault, the worst attack on civilians in the Muslim-majority region for a quarter of a century. India has also eyed with worry its northern neighbour China, especially since a deadly 2020 clash between their troops along their disputed Himalayan border. 'Be independent' Singh, born in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, had to excel in both academics and sports to break into a job once seen by many as something only men could do. "My mother was a great source of inspiration as she didn't just want me educated -- she wanted me to be independent, and backed all my endeavours," the pilot added. India's Air Force had more than 1,600 woman officers, including many pilots, according to official statistics from 2023. The world's most populous nation also has highest proportion of woman commercial pilots -- at about 14 percent of the total strength. Singh detailed her experience of flying, from "nervous and anxious" when she first sat in the cockpit, to the "incredibly exhilarating" moment when flying solo. The first time Singh took the controls of a fighter jet, a MiG-21, was when she "realised how much skill it takes to control" to fly. Aiming for space Singh was among the first to try the new Rafale jets. After a rigorous selection process, she was in 2020 shortlisted for simulator training with French instructors before stepping into the cockpit. "Its responsiveness is impressive... the cockpit is incredibly comfortable, you feel like it was designed for you," Singh added. But her dreams are even bigger. India is planning a manned space mission, and the pilot hopes that challenge will be her next frontier. "I succeeded in a field that was long reserved for men, and if I succeeded, then women can now work in any sector," she said, adding she had applied for training courses to be a test pilot. "I want to be an astronaut," she said. "So let's hope."
Time of India
25-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Air Force Museum's MiG-21, Mi-8 helicopter, missiles wow all
Nagpur: The Air Force Museum was opened to the public by the headquarters maintenance command at Vayusena Nagar on Friday. Located at the Dabha gate of the maintenance command, it was inaugurated by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Air Marshal VK Garg. The museum, which is open to the public for a very nominal charge, features a host of equipment used in the Air Force. It is open every day of the week except Tuesday and other gazetted holidays. With a MiG-21 fighter aircraft, Mi-8 helicopter , and a Pechora missile on display at the entrance, the museum also showcases a variety of equipment, including items of Russian origin and also indigenous components. A section on the history of the maintenance command is also on display at the museum. The maintenance command was formed at Kanpur on Jan 26, 1955, with Air Vice Marshal Harjinder Singh as its first AOC-in-C. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready to feel better in your body? WAYT-less® is a weight loss tablet that could support your goals. Nu Image Medical Shop Now Undo At that time, the only base repair depot (BRD) existed at Kanpur, along with a repair and manufacturing depot. As Kanpur alone could not absorb the activities, Nagpur was eventually selected as the new site for setting up the command's headquarters, says a note on display at the museum. The maintenance command came up at Nagpur on Aug 15, 1965 after the foundation stone was laid in April 1964. The second AOC-in-C of the maintenance command was Air Vice Marshal OP Mehra, who also founded the setup at Nagpur. He later went on to become the Chief of Air Staff.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Air Force Museum implements new accessibility formats
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is taking steps to increase visitor engagement with necessary accessibility tools. On March 22 and April 26, the Air Force Museum will offer tours in American Sign Language. The specialized tours are for those who communicate by ASL to help them have access and understanding to history pieces at the museum. The site has also implemented braille signs and 3D tactile displays to help visually impaired individuals. Over 80 braille and 3D signs have already been installed, the goal is to increase that number soon to 91. 'We have worked with experts and educators to develop these displays, ensuring they provide a meaningful experience for visitors,' Bob Pinizzotto, the museum volunteer leading this effort. 'This is a valuable addition that allows more people to connect with the history preserved here and appreciate the legacy of the Airmen who defended our nation.' Select tours create the chance for visually impaired individuals to learn about history by participating in hands-on experiences. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
