Cmde CD Balaji (Retd)

With a Bachelor?s in Mechanical Engineering, the author was commissioned into Indian Navy in September 1978, joining the Engineering Branch. He specialised in Naval Aviation, gaining extensive experience in the operation and maintenance of aircraft on an Aircraft Carrier. He later earned a Master?s in Aerospace Engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

In 2002, he joined the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) on deputation, where he played a key role in the development of the Naval Version of the Light Combat Aircraft, beginning with obtaining government sanction in March 2003. As Project Director, he was responsible for the design, development, construction, and flight testing of LCA Navy Prototypes, embodying the journey of ?From Paper to Flight?.

On 1 December 2006, he became a part of the fraternity of ADA and eventually rose to the position of Distinguished Scientist. He was appointed Director of ADA in July 2015, a role he held until his superannuation on 31 March 2017.

Since retiring, the author has been dedicated to mentoring young students and engineers in the aerospace domain, serving as Chairman of the Centre of Excellence in Aerospace and Defence, an initiative established by the Government of Karnataka.