“It is often hard to explain that an accident occurred not ‘because of’ but ‘in spite of’ all the painstaking efforts of our aviators.”

The recent crash of a fighter jet, resulting in the tragic loss of a young Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, has once again drawn attention to the risks of military aviation. While the cause of the accident remains under investigation by a Court of Inquiry, the incident has reignited public debate—especially on social media—about the IAF’s fighter aircraft safety and accident rate.

The monetary value of each modern fighter jet, often around Rs 500 crore, pales in comparison to the invaluable human life behind the controls. This article aims to offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on the rigorous world of combat aviation and counter the perception that pilots are routinely pushed to fly outdated or unsafe aircraft.

Fighter Flying: One of the World’s Riskiest Professions

Fighter flying ranks among the most hazardous occupations globally. Pilots operate complex, high-speed machines with immense thrust, requiring flawless coordination between man and machine. In air combat, there is no room for error—one must either shoot or risk being shot down. The physical, mental, and technical demands are relentless.

Selection, Training, and Mental Preparedness:

Combat pilots are chosen through a highly selective process that evaluates flying skill, mental agility, emotional resilience, and the ability to operate solo in high-pressure environments. Their training spans several years and includes advanced combat manoeuvres, often in coordination with squadron members. Pride and camaraderie push pilots to push their limits—there’s no place for a weak link in formation flying.

The Harsh Reality of Combat Conditions:

Training is designed to simulate wartime scenarios as closely as possible. Live weapons may be excluded, but every other aspect—from speed to stress—is as real as it gets. A pilot must be physically and mentally primed for every sortie. Even minor illnesses like a cold can impair cognitive function and disqualify a pilot from flying. Strict rules, such as the “12 hours between bottle and throttle” policy, ensure discipline and fitness.

Pilots undergo rigorous physical conditioning to build G-tolerance, essential for surviving the extreme forces of aerial manoeuvres. Even with specialized G-suits, experienced pilots face up to 8-9 Gs of force—eight to nine times their body weight. Regular health monitoring by aeromedical specialists ensures they remain combat-ready.

Decision-Making Under Pressure:

Air combat requires near-instantaneous decisions, often under extreme stress. Each training sortie is followed by detailed debriefing sessions using electronic tools to analyze performance and extract lessons. These insights prepare pilots for the crucial moment when they lock onto an enemy aircraft—a moment where hesitation can cost lives.

A major challenge in modern warfare is the threat of “blue on blue” incidents, where friendly aircraft are mistakenly targeted. With combat extending beyond visual range, pilots must maintain exceptional situational awareness to avoid fatal misidentifications.

Weather, Risk Management, and System Support:

Weather remains a persistent variable, often changing mid-flight. Pilots are trained to navigate through poor visibility, storms, and other natural challenges. Most modern air forces, including the IAF, rely on Operation Risk Management (ORM) systems to evaluate mission viability based on factors like weather, pilot readiness, and aircraft condition.

Once airborne, the pilot must process data from advanced avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare tools, all while managing formation tactics and staying ahead of enemy threats—sometimes just 200-300 feet above the ground at speeds nearing 900 km/h.

The Ecosystem Behind Every Flight:

Behind every successful sortie lies a massive support network. From aircraft engineers and ground crew to air traffic control, radar operators, fire safety, and runway maintenance teams—each plays a vital role in ensuring mission success and pilot safety. Claims about poor-quality spares are unfounded; even older aircraft are maintained as per strict operational standards.

Despite all these precautions, emergencies do arise mid-air. Pilots are trained extensively—on ground simulators and in flight—to handle engine failures, system malfunctions, and other critical scenarios. In worst-case situations, pilots may be forced to eject, as preserving a trained combat pilot takes precedence. It takes 6–7 years of intensive training to declare a pilot “fully operational,” and though aircraft are expensive, pilots are irreplaceable.

Accidents: Rare, But Real

Even with top-tier training and infrastructure, accidents happen. These are often the result of a complex mix of human error, system design limitations, maintenance gaps, or sheer misfortune—what aviation experts call the “Swiss cheese” model of failure. However, every incident is thoroughly investigated by the IAF’s Flight Safety Organisation, and findings are transformed into new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs, often described as “written in blood,” are non-negotiable until reviewed and revised.

Insights from accidents are also used to enhance aircraft design. That said, scrapping an entire fleet based on a single incident is not viable due to national security needs, the remaining technical lifespan of aircraft, and the astronomical cost of replacements. Fleet phasing-out is a calibrated decision, not a knee-jerk reaction.

Over time, it is this continuous learning process—across operations, training, design, and maintenance—that helps bring down accident rates.

The Invisible Courage Behind the Aviator’s Visor:

Beyond the iconic Ray-Bans lies a world of grit, skill, and unwavering commitment. It’s a reality few get to see or understand. Tragedies don’t occur because of negligence but often in spite of every possible precaution and effort.

As they say, the safest place for a ship is the harbour—but that’s not what ships are built for.

Likewise, fighter aircraft and the brave pilots who fly them are meant for the skies.