Army Aviation Corps has a place of pride in the pantheon of the Indian Army’s arms and services since few can claim to have made so great an impact in such stark contrast to their numbers, as the Army Aviation Corps. An Aviator flows out of careful selection, rigorous training and an ethos of professionalism which is the real key to aviation operations. Since its raising Army Aviation has been at the forefront of operations in the Siachen Glacier. Routinely operating at 20000 feet and above on the extreme fringes of its flight envelope, the Corps has the singular distinction for saving hundreds of lives in Siachen, besides providing sustained logistic support while operating at super high altitudes, a feat unparalleled by any other Army in the world. The Corps has provided invaluable services to the nation in all spheres of Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist operations and during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. Army Aviation Corps has also had the distinction of operating in United Nations Mission in Somalia from Oct 1993 to Nov 1994, as well as in Democratic Republic of Congo since 2005. The Arm has graduated to combat roles now with operationalisation of Rudra helicopters. The Arm has recently taken the mantle to command and control RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System / UAVs) thus augmenting its capabilities further in surveillance and combat role.

Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS) is the alma mater of all Aviators and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) crew of Army Aviation. Its role is to provide combat flying and ground training to all Aviators of Indian Army. It imparts specialised training to all Aviators from their commissioning onwards, thus enabling the field units to carryout integrated operations in the battlefield. Combat Army Aviation Training School was raised on 01 Sep 2003 as a category ‘A’ Establishment, under Army Training Command (ARTRAC). Brig KV Shandil, SM was the first Commandant. Brig Sanjay Vadhera, SM took over as the ninth Commandant of the establishment on 15th Oct 2020.

The beautiful campus of Combat Army Aviation Training School is located in the salubrious climate of Nashik in Maharashtra, which is also Known as the ‘wine capital’ of India. The city (erstwhile Panchvati) is situated on the banks of Godavari River and is one of the holiest places for hindus all over the world.

Recognising the immense contribution of the Corps to the field in operations, Army Aviation was presented with president’s colours on 10 Oct 2019 by the honourable president of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at Nasik. The establishment over the years has grown to be a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in training aviators and RPAS crew.

President Color Presentation

CATS Office Complex

 LATEST EVENTS OF LAST SIX MONTHS

1.     Visit of Uzbekistan Delegation.     Uzbekistan Delegation consisting of four officers from Uzbekistan Defence Forces (UDF) visited CATS with effect from 22-25 Mar 2022. The visit gave the faculty an insight into utilisation of RPAS by UDF alongwith the held inventory. The team leader communicated interest in seeking vacancies for UDF in traning of RPAS crew at CATS.

UDF Interaction with Comdt, CATS	Overview by DCCI on Fn of CATS
On Site Bfg by SI RPAS	Group Photo

2.     VALEDICTORY CEREMONY OF CAC-37.     Lt Gen AK Suri, Director General & Colonel Commandant Army Aviation witnessed the Valedictory Ceremony of CAC Ser 37 and awarded coveted wings to young aviators. Capt Abhilasha Barak graduated as fist woman officer to join Army Aviation as Combat Aviator.

AVIATION DEM	FIRST WOMAN COMBAT AVIATOR OF ARMY AVN
TROPHY WINNERS

3.     ANL ADM INSP VIS.     Maj Gen Vipul Shinghal, SM, MGGS (Ops), Southern Command visited to CATS on 11 to 13 May as part of Annual Adm Inspection visit for the Training Year 2020-21.

VIS TO MUSEUM	VIS TO SML BLOCK
VIS TO OR GYM	VIS TO SML CLASS ROOM

4.    Integrated Training of Aviation Helicopter Instructor Course with Armed Forces.     Integrated training was carried out by the Aviation Helicopter Instructor Course in conjunction with the Combat Team Commanders’ Course from 22-23 Apr 2022. The primary objective of integrated trainingg was to provide an exposure to prospective instructors being trained in CATS on Airborne Instructors Technique (AIT) in multi aircraft mission alongwith RPAS.

LOW FLG FOR AE RECCE	MULTI-AC MSN FOR DEL OF LOAD
MULTI-AC MSN FOR INSERTION OF STICK	CAS EVAC FROM ICV
DEL OF LOAD BY ALH	RECCE MSN IN SP OF MECH FORCES
PREP AND HOOKING OF LOAD BY ARMD PERS	DEL OF ESSENTIAL LOAD