48th Flight Test Course graduates at AFTPS Bengaluru; Sqn Ldr KK Singh wins Suranjan Das Trophy
On 23 May 2026 eleven test pilots and six flight test engineers of the 48th Flight Test Course graduated from the Air Force Test Pilots School, Bengaluru, with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh as chief guest.
Summary
The 48th Flight Test Course graduated from the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS), Bengaluru, on 23 May 2026 after a 48-week curriculum. The 17 graduates — 11 test pilots and 6 flight test engineers — included 14 IAF officers, one Army officer and two Navy officers, and will join the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, an alumnus of the 17th Flight Test Course, was chief guest. Sqn Ldr KK Singh won the Suranjan Das Trophy for best all-round student test pilot, and Wg Cdr Abhinav Kumar the Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword for best all-round flight test engineer.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 23 May 2026, AFTPS Bengaluru
- Course
- 48th Flight Test Course (48 weeks)
- Graduates
- 17: 11 test pilots + 6 flight test engineers (14 IAF, 1 Army, 2 Navy)
- Chief guest
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, CAS (alumnus of 17th FTC)
- Suranjan Das Trophy
- Sqn Ldr KK Singh (best all-round student test pilot)
- CAS Trophy
- Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni (best test pilot in flight evaluation)
- Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword
- Wg Cdr Abhinav Kumar (best all-round FTE)
- Next posting
- Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who won the Suranjan Das Trophy for the best all-round student test pilot of the 48th Flight Test Course at AFTPS (May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Sqn Ldr KK Singh
The Suranjan Das Trophy went to Sqn Ldr KK Singh; Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni won the CAS Trophy and Wg Cdr Abhinav Kumar the Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword.
The 48th Flight Test Course that graduated from AFTPS Bengaluru on 23 May 2026 comprised:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 11 test pilots and 6 flight test engineers
Eleven test pilots and six flight test engineers, 17 officers in all, graduated.
Consider the following statements about the 48th Flight Test Course graduation (May 2026): 1. The chief guest, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, is an alumnus of the 17th Flight Test Course. 2. The graduates will join the Aviation Wing of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are in the PIB release: the CAS is a 17th FTC alumnus, and the graduates join the Aviation Wing of ASTE.