In a significant development at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS), Brigadier Satyavir Shokeen has been appointed as the new Commandant. Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOCinC), along with all ranks of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC), extended their heartfelt congratulations to Brig Shokeen on his new role.
Established on September 1, 2003, CAATS serves as a cornerstone in the training regimen of the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps, located at the Gandhi Nagar airfield on Nashik Road. This institution emerged from the previous training setup at the School of Artillery in Deolali, marking a pivotal evolution in specialized military education under the ARTRAC’s oversight in Shimla.
CAATS is dedicated to equipping Army Aviation Corps pilots with comprehensive training across a spectrum of critical skills. These include valley flying, special forces missions, night and tactical flying, as well as handling medical emergencies. To enhance the efficiency and safety of training, the school employs advanced simulators for the Cheetah and Cheetak helicopters. These simulators prepare the pilots for a variety of challenging conditions such as snow, rain, diverse terrains, and tactical maneuvers.
The Army Aviation Corps, as the sole flying branch of the Indian Army, plays a vital role in providing multifaceted aviation support. Its responsibilities range from combat search and rescue, artillery lift, and combat transportation to logistics relief, military prisoner transportation, and medical evacuation. The corps operates a fleet of helicopters including the Cheetah, Cheetak, HAL Dhruv, and Rudra, and actively contributes to humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
Selection and recruitment of pilots into the corps are rigorously managed through the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) and comprehensive medical tests. Additionally, officers from other combat arms, such as artillery, are eligible to join directly after passing the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT), further ensuring the high standards and readiness of the Army Aviation Corps.
As Brig Shokeen steps into his new role as Commandant, CAATS looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence in training and furthering the capabilities of the Indian Army’s aviation wing.
