Air Force Academy, Dundigul

Dundigal Air Force Academy is located 43 km from Hyderabad, in the state of Telangana, India.The Air Force Academy was established in 1969 and started in 1971. It is located at Dundigal, about 25 km away from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, spread over 7,000 acres of land.The academy was set up to train cadets from all streams at one location. It imparts training to the Flying, Technical and Ground Duty Branches as well as officers of the Army and Navy. This is a home for the officer trainees who learn their specialisation and are nurtured to become capable leaders. After one year's training, officer cadets are commissioned into various branches of the IAF.TrainingIn this academy, IAF pilots are trained to learn flying through successive stages. Those who pass out as fighter pilots serve in front-line combat squadrons equipped with SU-30, MiG-29, MiG-27, MiG-23, MiG-21, Mirage-2000,Tejas and Jaguar aircraft. For those interested in flying transport aircraft, the IAF offers heavy multi engined IL-76 aircraft,C-17 and the twin engined multi role AN-32 transport aircraft, besides HS-748 and the Dornier light utility transport aircraft.By joining the helicopter fleet, the trainees learn to fly at treetop height and landing in remote areas. The curriculum also includes flying helicopter gunships like Indian developed Dhruv, MI-26 heavy-lift choppers, casualty evacuation, para dropping of troops and air lifting of supplies.The academy imparts specialist training to young men and women who shoulder responsibility as leaders in other areas of air force operations. These are administrative, air controlling, meteorological, logistics, accounts and education branches. Swimming,field and indoor games are included in the evening routine.