Pakistan Air Force Academy: Difference between revisions

{{Use Pakistani English|date=December 2022}}

The '''Pakistan Air Force''' '''Academy''' '''Asghar Khan''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستان فضائیہ اکیڈمی}}}}) is an accredited three-year [[military academy]] which provides undergraduate education to officer candidates for the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. The eligible and selected candidates from all over Pakistan are sent to PAF Academy Risalpur for flying training. It is located in the town of [[Risalpur]] in [[Nowshera District]] of the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] province in northwestern [[Pakistan]],<ref name="Salahuddin Khan">{{cite book|title=Sikander|publisher=Karakoram Press|isbn=978-0-578-05288-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VEQE-sAHTVoC&pg=PA263|author=M. Salahuddin Khan|page=263|date=2022}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions/ContentInfo.jsp?DivID=7&cPath=62_68&ContentID=3942 Pakistan.Gov.pk – The Official Web Gateway to the Government of Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229014857/http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions/ContentInfo.jsp?DivID=7&cPath=62_68&ContentID=3942 |date=29 December 2007 }}</ref> it is a premier cadet training institution of the [[Pakistan Air Force]] which offers academic professional degrees. Its role is the training of General Duty Pilots (GDP), Aeronautical and Avionics Engineers and the initial training of other Ground Branch cadets. Cadets of all branches join the academy following a recommendation by the [[Inter Services Selection Board]] (ISSB) of [[Pakistan]] and the [[Air Headquarters (Pakistan Air Force)|Air Headquarters]] Special Selection Board for Short Service Commission candidates. Graduates of the Academy's four-year program receive a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree, and are commissioned as Flying Officers (Lieutenants) in the Pakistan Air Force.

The history of Risalpur airbase dates back to 1910 when an airstrip was developed there. During the [[World War I|First World War]], the [[Royal Flying Corps]] established a base at Risalpur. In December 1915 RAF's newly raised [[No. 31 Squadron RAF|No. 31 Squadron]] was stationed here, which was later [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|used against troublesome tribesmen]] of the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|Tribal areas]] along the [[Durand Line|Afghan border]]. The squadron flew [[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2|B.E.2c]] and [[Farman III|Farman biplane]] in ground support missions.<ref name="RAF: 31 Sqn">{{cite web|title=31 Squadron|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/31squadron.cfm|work=Royal Air Force Offensive Support Squadrons|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=4 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626101033/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/31squadron.cfm|archive-date=26 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 24 May 1919, [[Handley Page V/1500]] flew its first mission to attack [[Kabul]] from the airfield.<ref name="Alan Axelrod">{{cite book|title=Little-Known Wars of Great and Lasting Impact: The Turning Points in Our History We Should Know More About|publisher=Fair Winds Press|isbn=978-1592333752|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8x322-89x3MC&pg=PA221|author=Alan Axelrod|edition=1st|page=221|date=2022}}</ref> In 1925 the air fleet of base was tasked to carry out a survey of the about four hundred square miles area of [[Ravi river|Ravi's]] old [[river bed]] for finding ancient sites.<ref name="Nayanjot Lahiri">{{cite book|title=Finding Forgotten Cities|publisher=Permanent Black|isbn=978-8178241593|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGHRhQ6qFnsC&pg=PA287|author=Nayanjot Lahiri|page=287|date=2022}}</ref> After First World War, the [[No. 11 Squadron RAF|No. 11 Squadron]] of [[Royal Air Force]] equipped with [[Westland Wapiti]] was stationed at the base in 1928,<ref name="James McCudden">{{cite book|title=Flying Fury: Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps|date=2009|publisher=Casemate|isbn=978-1935149101|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ryi5p_Jt5kcC&pg=PA299|author=James McCudden|page=299}}</ref> that was also used in the operations in the tribal areas.<ref name="Frank Wootton">{{cite book|title=The Aviation Art of Frank Wootton|publisher=David & Charles|isbn=978-0715321584|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fS9UTgnaMvoC&pg=PA41|author=Frank Wootton|date=2022}}</ref> The bombers of this squadron were used By 1940, Risalpur had become both a training and an operational base. During the Second World War, an operational training squadron was stationed at Risalpur,<ref name="Chandra Lal">{{cite book|title=My Years With the IAF|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-8170620082|pages=17–25, 55, 134|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vvTM-xbW41MC&pg=PA17|author=Pratap Chandra Lal|edition=1st|date=1986}}</ref> besides the base also conducted fighter conversion courses.<ref name=autogenerated5 /><ref name="Jagan Mohan">{{cite book|title=The Westland Lysander in Indian Air Force Service|publisher=Warbirds Media|asin=B00307S0U2|asin-tld=co.uk|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_bzOcg-Ke6wC&pg=PA24|author=P V S Jagan Mohan|page=24|date=2022}}</ref>

On 13 April 1948, the founder of Pakistan, [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], visited Risalpur Flying Training School and raised its level to that of a college.  Risalpur thus became the genesis of PAF pilots. It became the only military academy of Pakistan to be visited by Jinnah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakpost.gov.pk/philately/stamps2005/pakistan_air_force.html|title=Pakistan Air Force – BREAKING THE BARRIERS|website=pakpost.gov.pk|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated4>[http://pakistantimes.net/2004/09/07/top3.htm Pakistan Times | Top Story: Pakistan celebrates Defence Day in befitting manner] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204022922/http://pakistantimes.net/2004/09/07/top3.htm |date=4 December 2008 }}</ref> At this ceremony, Jinnah took the General Salute at the parade and fighter aircraft from Peshawar Air base performed aerobatics.

Initially, the institution was equipped with Harvard, Tiger Moth, Auster, Fury and Tempest aircraft. A major change came with the introduction of the [[Lockheed T-33|Lockheed T-33 jet trainer]] in 1955 and the air fleet of the academy was transformed from propeller to jet engine aircraft.<ref name="Zafar Chaudhry"/> Eight years after the College was upgraded to an Academy in 1967, the T-6G (Harvard), which had rendered extensive service to the PAF since 1947, was replaced by the Mushshak (Saab Trainer). Currently, the trainer aircraft at the PAF Academy are [[T-37 Tweet|T-37]],<ref name="Kev Darling">{{cite book|title=Tweet and the Dragonfly The Story of the Cessna A-37 and T-37|publisher=Big Bird Aviation|isbn=978-1-4116-4748-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cr20MURP3XAC&pg=PA116|author=Kev Darling|page=116|date=2022}}</ref> [[MFI-17 Mushshak|Mushshak MFI-17]] and the [[Hongdu JL-8|K-8]], the last of which was brought into service with the PAF in 1995. The academy has two aviation wings and a squadron. The Primary Flying Training (PFT) Wing consists of MFI-17 while Basic Flying Training (BFT) Wing consists of T-37 aircraft. An Advance Flying Training squadron is composed of K-8 aircraft.

College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE) is a constituent institute of the academy, which imparts engineering education to the cadets inducted in the engineering branch of PAF. The institute was set up in July 1965 at [[PAF Base Korangi|Korangi Airfield]], [[Karachi]], with the help of [[US Air Force]] (USAF) and [[Colonel]] John H. Blakelock, a member of USAF became its first principal. The first course graduated from the college on 9 November 1968. In May 1986, the college was shifted from Karachi to Risalpur. The college conducts four-year undergraduate program in two engineering disciplines namely [[aerospace]] and [[avionics]].<ref name="Gohari:256"/> CAE started postgraduate programs in 1997. The college was initially affiliated with [[University of Karachi]] and then to [[NED University of Engineering and Technology]] in March 1977.<ref name="NUST site:CAE History">{{cite web |url=http://cae.nust.edu.pk/acdy_history.html|title=History of CAE|work=College of Aeronautical Engineering|publisher=National University of Sciences and Technology|access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> The college affiliated with [[National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan|National University of Sciences and Technology]] in 1995.<ref name="Gohari:257">{{harv|Gohari|2001|p=257}}</ref> The institute is equipped with modern engineering labs and workshops.<ref name="Gohari:256"/> CAE got [[ISO 9000#Contents of ISO 9001|ISO-9001]] certified in 1999 for successfully managing quality system of its academic programs. Apart from Aerospace and Avionics, the institute has three more departments: Industrial Engineering, Humanities & Science, and Professional Continuing Education.<ref name="NUST site:About CAE">{{cite web|url=http://www.nust.edu.pk/Campuses/CAE/About-CAE.aspx|title=College of Aeronautical Engineering|work=Constituent Units|publisher=National University of Sciences and Technology|access-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308142403/http://www.nust.edu.pk/Campuses/CAE/About-CAE.aspx|archive-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

The Para Training School was established at the PAF Academy Risalpur in 2003. It is the second parachute school in Pakistan after the Pakistan Army Para School located at [[Peshawar]]. Before its establishment, PAF personnel were trained at the Pakistan Army Para School. The school conducts various basic and advanced courses, including free fall training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C04%5C14%5Cstory_14-4-2006_pg7_16|title=Daily Times|website=Daily Times|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> It also trains cadets to fly para motor gliders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Nov-07/PAF-Academy-Risalpur.asp|title=PAF Academy holds commissioning ceremony|website=www.interface.edu.pk|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> The [[Special Service Wing]] of the PAF also receives parachute training at this school. After a rigorous physical test the top cadets are selected to do the paragliding and para-trooping courses. Paragliding involves wearing a parachute and after jumping from a height, glide and land. Cadets who successfully complete the paragliding course are entitled to wear the paragliding (PG) badge on their uniforms and they further get a chance to now fly para motor gliders which gets them to wear them the PMG badge on their uniforms.

The awards presented to the cadets at this occasion are:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2001/10/28/nat22.htm|title=Graduation parade held at PAF|date=28 October 2001|website=dawn.com|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref>

This event also takes place after six months. Two convocations are held each time – one for graduating cadets of the GD(P) branch and the other for cadets of the engineering branch. The awards presented at this occasion are:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2002/12/29/local36.htm|title=NOWSHERA: PAF cadets awarded degrees|date=29 December 2002|website=dawn.com|access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref>