Sky Is The Limit

Flight lieutenant Shivangi Singh is India's first female Rafale fighter pilot. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, Singh joined the Indian Air Force in 2017. Her journeyfrom the rigorous training grounds to the skies-is a testament to her determination and resilience. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, she reveals the challenges and rewards of being a fighter pilot.

What motivated you to join the Indian Air Force?

My maternal grandfather used to serve in the Army. Whenever I visited him, he would take me to the Indian Air Force Museum in Palam, New Delhi and show me vintage jets. Since I was a child, I have dreamt of flying. Whenever I looked up and saw an aircraft, I would imagine sitting in it and controlling [the jets]. That motivated me. I also had a desire to serve the country.

What was training like?

The training tests us physically and mentally. The more we train, the more prepared we are. The training itself is gender-neutral. We need to be mentally fit to prepare for our missions and be physically fit to endure the timelines given. The environment [during the training] is inclusive. So, whenever we had issues, we could talk to our seniors.

They'd understand it and help us manage it. Our days would start with briefings for our missions. We would fly, come back, and debrief that mission. In the evenings, we would make time for physical activities, followed by preparations for the next mission. We would ensure we get eight hours of sleep.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your training?