Meet Shivangi, the first woman pilot inducted into the Indian Navy

As part of her training, Shivangi has flown Pilatus PC 7 Mk II, Basic Trainer at AFA and completed Dornier Conversion with the Indian Navy in Kochi
Sub-lieutenant Shivangi (Pic: Express)
Sub-lieutenant Shivangi (Pic: Express)

"It is a great feeling for I have been craving for this for a very long time," sub-lieutenant Shivangi, who joined Naval operations in Kochi as the first woman pilot of Indian Navy on Monday, said after receiving the coveted 'Golden Wings' from Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral A K Chawla.

"It's definitely a big day for me. I am not able to express it in words. It has been a great privilege to have my parents by my side when I received my Wings. It is even more special and I will cherish the moment," said Shivangi, a native of Muzaffarpur in Bihar.

Shivangi was inducted into the Indian Navy under the Short Service Commission (SSC)-Pilot entry scheme, and was part of the 27th Naval orientation course (NOC) at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. She was commissioned into the Navy in June last year. As part of her training, Shivangi has flown Pilatus PC 7 Mk II, Basic Trainer at AFA and completed Dornier Conversion with the Indian Navy in Kochi. She will continue her training at INAS 550, the Dornier squadron at INS Garuda, to become a fully operational pilot on Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.

As the first woman to fly a Navy aircraft, Shivangi says she didn't face any discrimination or gender barriers. "Fortunately for me, everyone around me was very supportive. My instructors and my squadron INAS 550 have always been supportive and I never felt that I am any different than my male counterparts," said an elated Shivangi on her accomplishment. Shivangi's mother Priyanka hugged and kissed her daughter sharing the excitement.

The award of the ‘Wings’ marks the culmination of one year of flying training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, and Indian Naval Air Squadron 550, INS Garuda in Kochi. Shivangi will join the ‘Dornier Operational Flying Training’ course at INAS 550 from mid-January 2020, prior to joining an operational Maritime Reconnaissance squadron.

Shivangi joined operational duty along with two other trainee officers of the 7th Dornier Conversion Course. The ceremony was held at INS Garuda on Monday morning.

The FOC-in-C South Rolling Trophy for standing first in overall order of merit was awarded to Lieutenant Shivam Pandey.

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