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54 Sayurusara 2019 July
Flying Instructors (QFI). After a stringent selection at that time and who is the present Commander of
process first Aviator Trainees in the history of SLN the SLAF. Such affiliations with many SLAF Pilots
were selected to undergo basic flying training with benefitted us in the succeeding years especially
the SLAF. The future recorder of the history of during sea battles and escort duties.
SLN must well account the names of then Lt MRJK
Bandara NRX 0906, Lt SP Kathriarachchi NRX 0953, We had completed the ground school module
Lt PSIP Jayathilake NRX 1213 and Lt HRD De Zoysa and were waiting to commence basic flying in SIAI-
NRX 1227 as the first ever SLN’s Aviator Trainees. Marchetti SF.260W Warrior, Cessna 152 and the new
comer to FTW; Nanchang PT-6 aircraft. It was told to
Meanwhile Cmde Sunil Cabraal and Cdr us that after fixed wing training rotorcraft training
Romesh Mendis were sent for conversion and deck would commence in Bell 206A Jet Ranger and
landing training in India whilst Lt (L) AS Gardhihewa thereafter we may have to do conversions to available
NRL 0705 and Lt (E) AKCL Gunasekara NRE 0935 light rotorcraft in SLAF and continue for 3 months
who had been following their respective technical operational flying with the SLAF pilots. Thereafter,
training in India had been nominated to follow we would have had to do conversion for the Alouette
Aero-Electrical and Aero-Engineering capsules III built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics
respectively in India where few SLN divers were Limited (HAL) in India as the HALChetak.
trained for aircrew diving aswell.
Unfortunately, for things unknown and
Our experience beyond our control the SLN decided to abandon
the formation of the SLN’s Aviation Unit. Having
We were instructed by NHQ to report to completed 4 months of Phase I training we left
SLAF base Anuradhapura on 21stApril 2001 and the SLAF base Anuradhapura with grounded hopes and
Ground School training at the No 1 Flying Training dreams of taking the Sri Lanka Navy to the skies.
Wing (FTW) started subsequently with the flying
cadets of the SLAF’s 38thIntake of Officer Cadets. We were summoned by the NAU officers
The instructions on basic flying, Aerodynamics and were told that it was not a wise move though,
and Airmanship, Air navigation, Instruments and as the LTTE, despite being a terrorist organisation
Avionics, Air traffic controlling, Medical aspects, and living in the jungles, still had managed to have
Emergency handling and Meteorology were some their own Air wing (or the Air Tigers). During that
subjects we were taught and tested at the FTW. final meeting we were told that the plan was to train
us in India and the USA for QFI and enrol another
Training of the first batch of Naval Pilots 3 more batches of naval aviators accordingly and
was supervised and monitored closely by the to go for land based fixed wing LRMPAs within the
then Commandant cum Base Commander Group ensuing 8 years. It was a “golden” opportunity the
Captain Harsha Abeywickrama who later became SLN squandered which would have come in handy
the Commander of the Air Force.The class room during the last phase of the war and evenafter.
instructions were mostly carried out by specialists
on the respective subjects and we were highly In prospective
appreciated for our keenness and performances,
especially by the three PAF flying instructors. Subject to prudent and rational analysis it is
deemed high time for the SLN to think about taking
We were to maintain strict discipline, the Navy into the air again by resuming the project
attend all extracurricular activities including mass from where we stopped. The Naval Aviation is widely
PT, recreation, and socialize with everyone during perceived to have distinct advantages over a mere
common parties and gatherings etc… During the surface fleet. They are;
four months training period we had, we were given
only two days of leave but could obtain liberty as a. The ability to cover a large area relatively
per the SLAF procedures for such. We were treated quickly and effectively.
well and the most enriching experience was sharing
of practical flying, combat and emergency handling b. Superior Intelligence, Surveillance and
experiences by many Pilots of all types of aircraft in Reconnaissance (ISR)
the SLAF because SLAF Anuradhapura was a major capabilities.
transit for operational pilots at that time.
c. Not often affected by the weather conditions
It was a privilege for us to associate and usual in theregion.
interact with then Wing Commander Kapila
Jayampathy who was the CO of No 6 squadron (Mi d. Deterrenteffectonthepotentialperpetrators.
17), as the squadron was based at Anuradhapura
e. The confidence of the sea going vessels’
crews will have strengthened especially at times of
difficulties and emergencies.
Flying Instructors (QFI). After a stringent selection at that time and who is the present Commander of
process first Aviator Trainees in the history of SLN the SLAF. Such affiliations with many SLAF Pilots
were selected to undergo basic flying training with benefitted us in the succeeding years especially
the SLAF. The future recorder of the history of during sea battles and escort duties.
SLN must well account the names of then Lt MRJK
Bandara NRX 0906, Lt SP Kathriarachchi NRX 0953, We had completed the ground school module
Lt PSIP Jayathilake NRX 1213 and Lt HRD De Zoysa and were waiting to commence basic flying in SIAI-
NRX 1227 as the first ever SLN’s Aviator Trainees. Marchetti SF.260W Warrior, Cessna 152 and the new
comer to FTW; Nanchang PT-6 aircraft. It was told to
Meanwhile Cmde Sunil Cabraal and Cdr us that after fixed wing training rotorcraft training
Romesh Mendis were sent for conversion and deck would commence in Bell 206A Jet Ranger and
landing training in India whilst Lt (L) AS Gardhihewa thereafter we may have to do conversions to available
NRL 0705 and Lt (E) AKCL Gunasekara NRE 0935 light rotorcraft in SLAF and continue for 3 months
who had been following their respective technical operational flying with the SLAF pilots. Thereafter,
training in India had been nominated to follow we would have had to do conversion for the Alouette
Aero-Electrical and Aero-Engineering capsules III built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics
respectively in India where few SLN divers were Limited (HAL) in India as the HALChetak.
trained for aircrew diving aswell.
Unfortunately, for things unknown and
Our experience beyond our control the SLN decided to abandon
the formation of the SLN’s Aviation Unit. Having
We were instructed by NHQ to report to completed 4 months of Phase I training we left
SLAF base Anuradhapura on 21stApril 2001 and the SLAF base Anuradhapura with grounded hopes and
Ground School training at the No 1 Flying Training dreams of taking the Sri Lanka Navy to the skies.
Wing (FTW) started subsequently with the flying
cadets of the SLAF’s 38thIntake of Officer Cadets. We were summoned by the NAU officers
The instructions on basic flying, Aerodynamics and were told that it was not a wise move though,
and Airmanship, Air navigation, Instruments and as the LTTE, despite being a terrorist organisation
Avionics, Air traffic controlling, Medical aspects, and living in the jungles, still had managed to have
Emergency handling and Meteorology were some their own Air wing (or the Air Tigers). During that
subjects we were taught and tested at the FTW. final meeting we were told that the plan was to train
us in India and the USA for QFI and enrol another
Training of the first batch of Naval Pilots 3 more batches of naval aviators accordingly and
was supervised and monitored closely by the to go for land based fixed wing LRMPAs within the
then Commandant cum Base Commander Group ensuing 8 years. It was a “golden” opportunity the
Captain Harsha Abeywickrama who later became SLN squandered which would have come in handy
the Commander of the Air Force.The class room during the last phase of the war and evenafter.
instructions were mostly carried out by specialists
on the respective subjects and we were highly In prospective
appreciated for our keenness and performances,
especially by the three PAF flying instructors. Subject to prudent and rational analysis it is
deemed high time for the SLN to think about taking
We were to maintain strict discipline, the Navy into the air again by resuming the project
attend all extracurricular activities including mass from where we stopped. The Naval Aviation is widely
PT, recreation, and socialize with everyone during perceived to have distinct advantages over a mere
common parties and gatherings etc… During the surface fleet. They are;
four months training period we had, we were given
only two days of leave but could obtain liberty as a. The ability to cover a large area relatively
per the SLAF procedures for such. We were treated quickly and effectively.
well and the most enriching experience was sharing
of practical flying, combat and emergency handling b. Superior Intelligence, Surveillance and
experiences by many Pilots of all types of aircraft in Reconnaissance (ISR)
the SLAF because SLAF Anuradhapura was a major capabilities.
transit for operational pilots at that time.
c. Not often affected by the weather conditions
It was a privilege for us to associate and usual in theregion.
interact with then Wing Commander Kapila
Jayampathy who was the CO of No 6 squadron (Mi d. Deterrenteffectonthepotentialperpetrators.
17), as the squadron was based at Anuradhapura
e. The confidence of the sea going vessels’
crews will have strengthened especially at times of
difficulties and emergencies.
