July 01, 2014: The DRDO is looking for 2 fully qualified test pilots from the private sector to speed up testing on the AEW&C programme. With two aircraft Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft fully fitted with the Indian sensors and mission systems, the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) has published a requirement for 2 additional pilots (preferably retired IAF test pilots, both Indian nationals) from a qualified service provider to aid the development flight trial phase, currently being conducted by CABS and the IAF's ASTE. The new test pilots will be required to log about 300 flight hours per year, participate in technical meetings for the evaluation of mission systems. The DRDO has said preference will be given to pilots with multi-engine flying experience, knowledge of flight testing mission systems and avionics, experience of at least 1500 flying hours, a good safety record, cleared by ASTE for flight testing. The DRDO has stipulated that the service provider needs to be a recognised firm already operating a fleet of aircraft/MRO/chartered aircraft or an aircraft manufacturer in its own right.