F-7P/PG AND AIR CRASHES
A completely ill-informed campaign is going on in the social media regarding yesterday’s F-7PG crash, and so called ‘experts’ calling for grounding of these aircraft on grounds of being old, and having a poor design. This sort of a campaign based on rumours does nothing but harm the morale of PAF personnel, while also playing into enemy hands unwittingly.
First of all, everyone must know that a comment about the cause of an accident cannot be made when even a preliminary inquiry has not been completed. The causes could be pilot error, material failure, faulty maintenance, bird hit, etc. Therefore, it is wrongly being assumed that the aircraft was faulty in this latest accident.
As far as the high accident rate on the F-7P/PG, it has to be remembered that fighter pilots with very low experience start out on these aircraft, unlike pilots on Mirages, JF-17 and F-16 who have a lot of experience. It is as simple as that.
As for the design of the F-7P/PG, it is simple and straightforward and the aircraft is virtually viceless. It may be an old design, but continues to be a classic fighter for the limited roles it is employed in. I have flown both the F-7P and F-PG, and found them free of any snags. In fact I carried out flight trials on the F-7PG in 1997 and recommended its induction in the PAF. For its value, it has proven to be a very capable aircraft, and is, in fact, referred to as the poor man’s F-16. Of course, if Pakistan had enough money, we could have an all-F-16 or all Rafale fleet. The reality is, unfortunately different.
As for the age of the aircraft, it would be worthwhile to note the following figures: Since their initial induction in the PAF, the F-16s are now 35 years old, the F-7Ps are 30 years old, while the F-7PG are 16 years old. Compare it to the USAF: the B-52s are 65 years old, the F-15s and A-10s are 42 years old, and F-16s are 40 years old. In all air forces, aircraft are regularly inspected, parts replaced, and overhauls done. What is to be noted that the stipulated airframe and engine life is NEVER exceeded, and PAF pays special attention to this aspect. The PAF is, however, in the process of gradually phasing out the older aircraft and replacing them with JF-17 but it is a slow process and will take a few years.
As for the age of the aircraft, it would be worthwhile to note the following figures: Since their initial induction in the PAF, the F-16s are now 35 years old, the F-7Ps are 30 years old, while the F-7PG are 16 years old. Compare it to the USAF: the B-52s are 65 years old, the F-15s and A-10s are 42 years old, and F-16s are 40 years old. In all air forces, aircraft are regularly inspected, parts replaced, and overhauls done. What is to be noted that the stipulated airframe and engine life is NEVER exceeded, and PAF pays special attention to this aspect.
It also must be noted that PAF’s accident rate is well below that of the IAF. In the 1950s, the accident rate was horrendously high at 50 accidents per 10,000 hours, while now it is less than ONE accident per 10,000 hours. In fact the PAF has seen three years without ANY accident a few years ago.
The PAF Air Staff is fully cognizant about safety of its pilots, but it does not mean that after a few accidents, a particular aircraft type should be grounded. Few would know that President Iskander Mirza’s son died in an air crash while he was president, but the PAF aircraft were not grounded. Air Marshal Asghar Khan’s two younger brothers died in air crashes while he was the C-in-C, but the PAF aircraft were not grounded. Fighter flying is risky business, and the loss of life is particularly tragic. However, full trust must be reposed in the PAF’s leadership and all efforts must be made so as not to affect the morale after these air accidents. Let’s us not play into the hands of the enemy.
[DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post, but reflects my personal views]
Kaiser Tufail
