The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Facility for training pilots likely in Adilabad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Facility for training pilots likely in Adilabad

S. Harpal Singh

IAF officials visit airstrip proposed for developing a permanent helipad

District administration’s help sought in developing aerodrome
Land for the aerodrome was acquired in 1931 in two phases

ADILABAD: The old aerodrome at Adilabad, a property of Indian Air Force (IAF), will acquire ‘wings’ in the near future as Thursday’s visit of top IAF officials to Adilabad indicates. A portion of the over 600-acre airfield is proposed to be developed as a permanent helipad to be used by pilot trainees from Air Force stations at Hyderabad-Secunderabad and Nagpur in Maharashtra.

Group Captain Rakesh Tondon, Station Commander, Air Force Station, Begumpet, and Wing Commander R.B. Singh, the Station’s Chief Administrative Officer, visited not only the airstrip but also called on Joint Collector G. Ravi Babu seeking the district administration’s support in developing aerodrome.

Approach road

The Air Force officials wanted a better approach road to the aerodrome that exists on the south-eastern fringes of Adilabad town under the Khanapur and Adilabad village limits. They also broached upon the subject of local people damaging the fencing around the airfield.

Mr. Ravi Babu instructed Revenue Officials to ensure that no encroachment took place inside the aerodrome. He also suggested the IAF officials to go in for construction of accommodation for trainee pilots who would visit the air field in future besides strengthening the security including re-fencing the ground wherever necessary.

At present, a guard detail of eight from the Air Force is stationed at the place. The security is bound to be increased once the new proposal goes operational.

The land for the aerodrome was acquired in 1931 in 2 phases.

An airstrip was subsequently developed at the place that was used for re-fuelling airplanes. There were some efforts in the past to develop the Adilabad aerodrome too.

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