The Air Force Technical College has the distinction of
being the first institute set up in India and
Southeast Asia for training aeronautical engineers. When
set up in Jalahalli, Bangalore in 1949 under the charge
of Group Captain J. Beaumont, it was known as the Technical
Training College.
In 1957, Group Captain M.J. Kriplani became the next Commandant
and the institute was almost
entirely taken over by the Indian Air Force.It was henceforth,
called the Air Force Technical College. Glance through
the history of AFTC by reading about some important events
since the
college's inception in 1949:
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When the College was first setup in 1949
the faculty consisted entirely
of instructors of British origin. Its first Commandant,
Group Captain Beaumont was an acknowledged disciplinarian.
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On 22nd Jan 1951 the first batch of the
AFTC passed out after 66 weeks of intensive training.
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In 1957, while on an official tour to India, Marshal Zhukov
the Defence Minister of USSR visited the Technical College;
he appreciated its training philosophy and curriculum.
Since then,
a number of distinguished visitors from foreign countries
have visited the College.
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The year 1993 saw the induction of women officers in the
Technical College. The first batch comprised 25 women,
all of who passed out with flying colours.
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The earliest curriculum of the Technical College included
only a fundamental knowledge about Electrical, Signals,
Armament and Engineering. It now covers a broader spectrum
covering aeronautics, avionics, associated ground support
systems and relevant modern technologies including communication
and radar systems.
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The Air Force Technical College continues
to be one of the most prestigious training
establishments of its time. More than 7000
officers have passed out of the annals of
this college. Driven by its motto
"Gnanen Shobhamahe-It is knowledge
through which we find pride in our selves",
it provides invaluable training and support
to the Technical Branch of the
Indian Air Force.
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