http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=328579&sid=NAT
 
IAF mulling lending pilots to civil carriers 
 
Shillong, Oct 11: Facing desertions by its pilots, IAF was contemplating to 'depute' some of its senior pilots to the Air India and other civil carriers for a short period.

"We are in contact with Air India and others on how we can give some of our pilots to them on deputation for a year or two," Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command (AOC-in-C), Air Marshal F H Major said here yesterday.

He, however, added that nothing was made final as yet and 'modalities' of this arrangement was being worked.

Making it clear that IAF trained its pilots to fight war and not to fly commercial planes, air marshal major said an officer upto the rank of 'Group Captain' has got 15-20 years of experience in flying. "So we are thinking of how we can give some pilots to Air India and others on deputation."

Seeking to downplay the desertions by the pilots in the IAF, he said it was 'not alarming', though some might have left the IAF.

"We have not received any application from the pilots saying they are joining the civil aviation carriers to fly commercial flights," air marshal major said.

To a question on wooing talents to IAF, he said the force was making continuous efforts but any armed force cannot 'tempt' a person by money, but by its technical skill and thrills.

Stating that a number of IIT graduates joined the IAF recently, the AOC-in-C said it proved that they were not wooed by money but something else. 

Air India is in talks with the IAF on lending pilots. Thulasidas will be meeting the Air Chief shortly.