Name: Flight Cadet Avani Chaturvedi

Hails from: Satna, Madhya Pradesh

Why she joined the Indian Air Force

She was inspired by Army officers in her family and had few hours of flying experience in the flying club of her college, which inspired her to join the IAF.

"I got selected for flying stream and subsequently for fighter flying. I got the golden opportunity to fly two different aircraft, one very modern and advanced, and another a stalwart trainer, with best of the instructors," she says.

"My dream is to become a good fighter pilot, on whom my seniors can rely on when it comes to fly for live operations. I want to fly the best fighter aircraft and learn more and more each day," she adds.

Training Experience

I was proceeding for my second solo sortie for the day. The time spent on ground was more due to a number of solos ahead of me in the taxi sequence; same was being exaggerated by the sun beating down heavily on us.

Finally, I reached the take-off point and took permission for the same. As I started rolling, nearing the first marker I heard the Canopy Warning Audio coming on.

At first I got confused seeing the emerging situation...

However, the training which I had undergone helped me reach the decision almost immediately. I aborted the take off and took all the actions to stop the aircraft safely on the runway. While I was having lunch that afternoon, I reflected back on the incident.

That day I realised how the decision of a split second can get the situation under control or out of control. Had I delayed my actions that day of aborting take off or got airborne with the canopy open, the results could have been catastrophic.