+D+K+Thapa+-+first+doctor+with+wings.jpg "Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa - first doctor with wings")
Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa was the first ever doctor in the world to fly a fighter jet for the navy from the deck of a warship.
Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa had joined Indian Navy in April of 1956 as a doctor, but his heart was into flying and his capability was rewarded when he was allowed to join the Pilot Course in June 1960. He completed the intermediate flying course with flying colours, and was posted for Jet training towards the end of 1960.
Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa completed his training and was awarded his wings in mid-1961.
He joined the Indian Naval Air Services 551/300 for conversion and completed his training for Sea Hawk Aircraft and Deck Training for Deck Landing in 1962.
He was the first doctor in the world who was a qualified naval fighter pilot. When doctors in other navies were not allowed to operate from the deck, Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa was flying fighter jets for the Indian Navy from the deck of naval warships and landing them there.
Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa had joined Indian Navy in April of 1956 as a doctor, but his heart was into flying and his capability was rewarded when he was allowed to join the Pilot Course in June 1960. He completed the intermediate flying course with flying colours, and was posted for Jet training towards the end of 1960.
Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa completed his training and was awarded his wings in mid-1961.
He joined the Indian Naval Air Services 551/300 for conversion and completed his training for Sea Hawk Aircraft and Deck Training for Deck Landing in 1962.
He was the first doctor in the world who was a qualified naval fighter pilot. When doctors in other navies were not allowed to operate from the deck, Surgeon Captian (P) D K Thapa was flying fighter jets for the Indian Navy from the deck of naval warships and landing them there.
Source: The Darjeeling Chronicle