Quality is the hallmark of Pakistan Air Force. In order to maintain its traditions of professional excellence, the PAF is quite selective in choosing suitable young men & women to fly, maintain and support its sophisticated aircraft and equipment. Those who are selected and successfully complete PAF's exhaustive and strenuous training, can look forward to a rewarding, noble & honourable career. PAF offers a wide variety of this carcass to the citizens of Pakistan.
Life in the PAF is undoubtedly disciplined and demanding but then there are many incentives like handsome salary, accommodation, free medical facilities for self and family, generous leave and Air/Rail passage at concessional rates. Moreover, the Air Force environment is dynamic because one is always in the company of cheerful, energetic and dedicated colleagues ready to do their best for each other. This privilege can only be appreciated by those who serve in the clutch force.
Pakistan Air Force is comparatively a young service. It was established in 1947 with only a handful of personnel and with scant resources. The PAF has undergone many evolutionary changes in the short span of its history. It matured rapidly and its pilots have successfully contested numerically superior enemies in the air both in the subcontinent and elsewhere. Today, it stands as one of the most well organized and well maintained forces in the region. Its command and administrative structures have been refashioned from time to time to keep pace with its expansion and modernization programmes.
Selection Criteria
The word "PAF", (Pakistan Air Force) now a days, requires no elaboration. It has become a legendary phenomenon due to its glorious history. It is renowned for its good name not only within the country but also outside. The aviators of the PAF have carved out history for themselves in the past and are exerting hard to maintain the standards set by the fore-runners, rather augmenting them in excellence in futurity. We hope this will give you some idea of the Pakistan Air Force, its selection system and subsequent training. The first thing to be said is that our standards are high, and we insist to apply them. We make no apology for that. We are in the business of selecting the next generation of officers for a service conversant with the latest technology, ready to defend our motherland in the event of conflict. Those who are selected for the task would be given an expanded and extensive training, leading to a very challenging and demanding job. They are likely to be responsible not only for millions of rupees, worth sophisticated equipment’s, but also for the security of the country and the well being of their countrymen. Wrong selection, on our part would be very costly and may prove fatal to the interest of the nation. Hence we cannot take chance for such a grave lapse. Despite this, it is not a part of our policy to discourage or to make you nervous or catch you with tricky questions. The tests and interviews at PAF I&S Centers/ Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) are carried out in a relaxed and informal way. Above all we need to know you as a person. To achieve this objective, we do encourage you to feel at home and think and act naturally. We are confident that you will enjoy the time you spend with us if you come in the right spirit. Whether or not you are successful, you should learn something about today’s PAF and the people in it, and above all about yourself.
PAF Academy Risalpur
The selected candidates proceed to the PAF Academy Risalpur to fulfill their cherished dream of becoming the future Fighter Pilots, Aeronautical Engineers and other ground specialities. The PAF Academy is located at Risalpur which is a small town in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. It is situated at about 8 KM from Nowshera, across the green bank of Kabul River, on the main road to the beautiful valley of Swat. The legendary Khyber Pass, the gate-way to Central Asian Republics, lies to the north at a distance of about 90 KM. PAF Academy comprises two premier institutions of the PAF, the College of Flying Training (CFT) and the College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE). Both these institutions are well equipped with modern workshops, laboratories, library, class rooms and other academic facilities to classify them as distinctive institutions. The vast parade ground, immaculate Cadets’ mess and living-in accommodation present a spectacle to behold. These institutions have bred generations of Fighter Pilots and Aeronautical Engineers for the PAF and other friendly countries.
College of Flying Training (CFT)
In CFT, Aviation Cadets go through flying/academic training for 3 years. Over the years, the College has developed a modern, scientific and systematic program of pilot training. It aims at equipping the Aviation Cadets with basic flying skills along with sound academic/professional background which eventually leads to the award of BSc degree. The College has two types of trainer aircraft namely MFI-17 Mushshak, which is being produced under licence in Pakistan and T-37, which is jet trainer of American origin. Recently, another jet trainer K-8, a joint venture of Pakistan and China has been added to the training fleet of the Academy. The training on these aircraft is designed to produce pilots for Pakistan Air Force and friendly countries. Aviation Cadets who successfully complete their flying training on MFI-17 and T-37 are awarded flying wings. The College is also entrusted to conduct regular courses of Administration and Special duties, Meteorology, Accounts, Information Technology, Education, Legal and Branch List Permanent Commission. Additionally, the College imparts flying training to the officers of the sister services.
College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE)
The College of Aeronautical Engineering came into being after independence when an acute shortage of technical maintenance officers was felt in the PAF. In order to meet the immediate requirements of the engineering officers, a plan to establish an Aeronautical Engineering College was mooted and speedily implemented. The College was initially established at Korangi Creek, Karachi in 1965. In 1986, the College was shifted from Korangi Creek to PAF Academy, Risalpur. The Aviation Cadets of Engineering Branch go through 3½ years training in the College of Aeronautical Engineering after which they get their BE degree in Aerospace or Avionics disciplines. At CAE the Aviation Cadets go through a system of education on the lines of United States Air Force Institute of Technology. The College is known not only for its excellent academic training but also for its well-designed leadership training programs. Its graduates today lead most of the aerospace related departments of PAF, Pak Army, PIA and other civilian sectors.
Cadets WingThe most distinguishing feature of a fighting force is its personnel high standard of physical fitness, discipline and leadership qualities. To achieve this objective, PAF strives not only to impart professional/academic knowledge but also to inculcate these qualities in its future commanders. At the PAF Academy Risalpur, the Cadets’ Wing is entrusted with the most important task of developing personal qualities like integrity, courage, determination, initiative and patriotism of officers through elaborate program of character building. Here, the command and leadership qualities of cadets are brought into sharp focus and assessed individually. Debates, drama and public speaking are encouraged. Para jumping, skiing, techniques of jungle, desert, sea and snow survival are also added to the list of activities cadets look forward to. The subjects in the purview of the Cadets Wing are:
-Air Operations
Use of Small Arms
Field Craft (Camping-Visits etc.) Leadership
Character Building
Physical Exercises Military Drill
Sports Activities
The Cadets’ Mess
Cadets’ Mess is the living accommodation of all the cadets of PAF Academy. It is a grand complex, which is designed to provide facilities of messing, accommodation, recreation and social activities. When a cadet reports at the College ,he is provided a accommodation which he shares with his course mates. As he progresses and becomes senior, he moves to a twin bedded/independent room where he stays for the remaining period of this training. All possible measures are taken to provide a balanced diet to the cadets so that they maintain good health during their training period. The affairs of the cadets mess are centrally managed and controlled by the officers of the Cadets wing.
Extra Curricular Activities and SportsThe cadets are provided with adequate facilities to pursue games and sports of their choice. Fields and courts for the following games are available.
Hockey
Football
Basketball
Tennis
Squash
Athletics
Riding
Golf
Fencing
Officers and trained instructors supervise the cadets, sports activities. Bi-annual Inter Squadron competitions are held in different games. Cadets show great zeal and fervor to win trophies for the prestige of their respective squadrons. The squadron excelling in games and sports is awarded the championship trophy. An Academic Trophy is also awarded to the squadron achieving best academic results. All such activities are aimed to engender healthy competition and instill aspirit de corps among squadron members.
Besides outdoor games, a number of facilities and clubs for indoor activities like Body Building, Table Tennis, Billiards, Chess, Drama are also available in the Mess. Additionally, the Academy also provides ample opportunities to inculcate and develop the personal hobbies of cadets. A well equipped Hobbies' Club ‘ is housed in an independent building and provides facilities of painting, aero modelling, Photography, electronic model designing, wood works and music.Literary Activities
After Dinner Literary Activity (ADLA) is a regular feature of cadets training. Its aims are developing the art of public speaking in the cadets. Apart from ADLA sessions, debates, declamation contests and other similar literary activities are also regularly held to develop and broaden the intellectual horizon of the cadets. To increase their general awareness, guest speakers are invited to speak on their subjects of specialization.
Educational Visits
Educational visits to industrial enterprises, technical and civil organizations are regularly scheduled the curriculum of CFT / CAE. The purpose of these visits is to familiarize the aviation cadets with scientific and engineering techniques and to apprise them of the kind of technical work being done in Pakistan.
Student Counseling
A tutor is appointed from the Faculty for each Aviation Cadet of College of Flying Training (CFT) / College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE). He is the local guardian and academic counselor of the cadet. He meets the cadet frequently to discuss his academic performance as well as help to solve his personal difficulties and problems.
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