Odpal Phunthsog, wing commander, is the first pilot from Ladakh. He was born in Saboo village in the year 1944 on 12th February. He got commissioned in Indian Air Force, Flying Branch on 16th May 1965 and as a pilot officer from no. 2 T.T. W. Begumpet. He also took part in flying and administrative duties required of a pilot in the Indian Air force. He was engaged in Flying operations that took place in the 1960s, 70’s and ’90s. He had served in the Eastern sector under Eastern Air Command in 59 Squadron as well as in the Central Air Command, Allahabad, after flying duties in 11 Squadron AF. He served in the northwestern sectors as an operational officer along with flying and adm. duties. In the northern sector he served in Siachen,Thoise Nubra sector 2 as OIC Airforce detachment under 21 wing Leh for a period of 3 years during which the IL 76 as OIC force detachment under 21 wings Leh for  a period of 3 years during which the IL 76 Gajraj Aircraft did a trial landing for the first time, thereafter he was posted to No. 1 Wing Air Force station ,Srinagar for a period of five years during which he was sent to Trincomalee, Srilanka in the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF); Ops Pawan . His last posting was at the air force Record Office at Radio Communication Project Office (RCPO) Ministry of Defence, New Delhi subsequent to which he got retirement on 29 Feb 1996.

Later, he got appointed as Zila Sainik Welfare Officer Leh – Ladakh in the year 1997 and served there for a period of seven years. During his tenure as the Zila Sainik Welfare officer, he was instrumental in the meeting between the then Governor of J&K and the first recipient of Ashoka Chakra, Chering Motup from Likir village along with 22 windows of Operation Vijay Kargil.

He served the Indian Air Force (IAF) for almost 30 years.

Q. Tell us about yourself, Schooling and upbringing?

I was born in Saboo village in a Christian Family. I did my matriculation schooling from Govt. High School, Leh and later did my college in SP Srinagar. During those days 3 years NCC degree had commenced in army, navy and air force and I joined the Air wing NCC and was an NCC senior cadet. There I got a chance to apply for the air force in Flying General duties pilot (GDP) course. After applying I got selected and was sent to Dehradun. There were many students who came from different places and I was one of them from J&K. We were 92 candidates and out of 92, we 6 got selected for flying after aptitude test in Clement Town, Dehradun.  Later, I was sent to ground training to Coimbatore Airforce and there we did our ground training.

Finally, on 16th May 1965, I passed out from Transport Training Week (TTW) and from there on we were sent to different squadrons.

Essentially, when you get to pilot training, they will put you through a lot of academic training. So understanding why the planes fly, the science and the process behind it, is the first step and then they build on that by putting you in the simulator, where you’re allowed to try things out, repeat things over and over, in hopes of improving that kind of coordination and also the ability to make mistakes and learn from them.

And the once you receive a certain level of proficiency on those simulators, then they’ll take you up in those aircraft. And you’ll be with an instructor for a while until you’re good and then once you are safe and confident, they’ll let you go on your own.

During my tenure in Thoise, Nubra ‘Gajraj’ did the first trial landing there successfully.  On 29 Feb 1996 I got retirement and later I worked as Zila Sainik Welfare Officer from 1996 to 2004.

Q. Why do you want to become a pilot? What was your first flight?

In those days there was not a single pilot from Ladakh. At that time when I saw pilots in Leh, I begin to think that one day I’ll also become a pilot. At that time they were treated very respectfully. They look smart in uniform. The way they spoke and behave and mixed with the local people was something that I love. They were frank and spoke without any hesitation.I always wanted to become a pilot right from the beginning because I used to admire the landing and take off of the aircraft that come to Leh in those days and used to run from the School just to see how the aircraft lands at the airport. My first flight was ‘sorties’ in 59 squadrons,  Dinjan, Assam. There we used to do 100 to 150 runway short dropping- free dropping and parachute dropping for the troops on the border.

Q. How did you decide to become a pilot when Ladakhi people hardly know the definition of Pilot in those days and who has had the most influence on you?

In those days it is very difficult to think of a career in aviation. And I wanted to prove that I can also become a pilot which I did.  Talking about influence, the pilot has a great influence on me as they used to act and behave in a very disciplined behavior. Exposure to an aircraft at a young age was something that already makes up my mind.

Q. As a pilot how do you describe the present situation of Leh Airport? What you have to say about the runway?
 
The condition has improved a lot as compared to earlier, whatever the govt. provide them they upgrade the airport with that. When we talk about the runway, Leh being cold we have to keep the runway clean for the landing also and we have to see if the runway is proper for landing as our ground gets frozen during winter. In those days Leh airport used to be rough and was not in good condition. Earlier, they used to make the circuit from the Tayray-rong only and the runway was open and it is known as Spituk Thang, and of course, in the beginning, they had difficulty and it was full of stones and sands. At that time Babu Dorjey was expert in PWD Engineering and he was asked to make it plain because in 1947, Pakistan war started and they needed urgent army supplies for the troops of Ladakh region. In those days the aircraft that could land was Dacota only and after landing it was successful.

From that time they do the usual flying, they used to get the passengers and at the same time do the droppings. After that Civil Aircraft started coming to Leh like Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) they started bringing passengers from Srinagar to Leh (1 hour 30 mins of flying). It was very beneficial for the govt. and Defence Personnel for bringing required materials for the Ladakh region.  Later, they landed helicopters and all different types of aircraft. In 1962, the big Hercules aircraft from the USA started landing and do droppings from the Changthang side. Later it improved and many aircraft started flying for the civilians. Previously it was Dacota, AVRO and now Boeing also lands.

Q. You have served IAF for 30 years? What's your most memorable flight?

Of course, supplying for troops in almost difficult areas whether it is in the jungles of Assam or any other place as there used to be hardly any route to those places. And to keep constant supplies of their requirements, specially medical requirement uninterrupted was very important. Even we used to carry civilian administrators in our aircraft and we also used to carry supplies to villages during an emergency.

Q. What is one accomplishment that you are very proud of?

Being the first Ladakhi pilot to be commissioned in the IAF at a time when knowledge about the IAF and its commissioning was really sparse among the civilians of Leh and feel proud to have served the IAF faithfully for a period of 30 years.

Q. What, in your opinion, makes a professional pilot?

Being an airline pilot is a glamorous, exciting, and highly rewarding job. But how exactly do you become one?  Needless to say, you need to be diligent and committed. Always remain faithful; you should have a love for your country and your native place. And always try to succeed in the job you are trained for and make a name for the particular place wherever you belong to. Work hard and follow your heart and one day you might become an airline pilot!

Q. What was the most difficult part of your flying training?

Instrument flying, when you entirely fly on instruments only, not looking outside and you have to keep in mind the height, direction and timing without losing your destination as planned.

Q. What do you consider as the high and low points in your life to date?

Being the first pilot from Ladakh and I did it successfully without any guidance.  On 22nd October 1973, I asked for commission posting but met with an accident in Dehradun and I was not medically fit and my branch was changed to flight from the ground. I consider my accident as a low point in my life. Since I had sustained a severe injury in the accident I was in the low category for few months after getting medically fit, I couldn’t get the flying job but I was given ground duties.

Q. Tell us about an incident when you have risen to a challenge set for you?

To come back to normality after the accident was a challenge for me.

Q. After completing your training when you came back to Ladakh, what was the reaction of the people and how was the experience?

Everyone was jovial and they treated me well.  At that time I felt quite happy because whatever I dreamt, I got it. That time I decided to improve my skills constantly in my job and be always without fear.

Message to the Readers

"Whatever you do, you should work without fear and dedication. You should get what you want and try until you succeed. Treat everyone equally, be humble and be a man of love. Be honest never give up the goal you have chosen and don't lead by other people. Never be proud and be always friendly with others. And that if you set your mind to something, I truly believe you can do it.
The most important thing, once you decide what your dream is, never give up. If you can do that, I really think that you can do anything."