Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Who Crashed in Pakistan, Shot Down F-16 Quits Indian Air Force, Joins Private Airline
The former Indian Air Force pilot joined the Goa-based carrier in August, as the airline declined to comment on his role and responsibilities.
- Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, according to sources who told PTI he began his role in August.
- FLY91 launched commercial flight operations in March 2024 and currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft from bases in Goa and Hyderabad, focusing on regional air connectivity.
- Varthaman gained national prominence during the 2019 India-Pakistan military confrontation when he shot down an enemy aircraft before his MiG-21 Bison was struck, forcing him to eject into Pakistani territory.
- The Indian government awarded Varthaman the Vir Chakra in 2021, the nation's third-highest wartime gallantry medal, for displaying an "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial engagement.
- A FLY91 spokesperson declined to comment on the appointment, citing the private nature of employee information; details about his specific responsibilities remain undisclosed.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pakistani F-16, Retires From IAF, Joins Private Airline
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who became widely known after shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial engagement over the Line of Control (LoC) in 2019, has taken premature retirement from Indian Air Force (IAF) and joined private regional airline Fly91,
Fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed Pak jet, retires from IAF, joins airline
Former IAF Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based airline FLY91 as a pilot, sources said. The move follows the Vir Chakra awardee's retirement in March after his widely noted 2019 aerial combat role.
Abhinandan's New flight... Now He Will Fly Passenger Planes, Not Fighter Jets; He Joins This Airline
Former Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman has taken up a new role as a pilot with Goa's regional airline, Fly91. This new role marks his journey from a fighter cockpit to a passenger plane, having gained prominence after a 2019 air battle.
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