`Paper to Flight` charts the remarkable journey of India`s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), from its inception on paper to its successful flight operations. Beginning with a concise introduction to the Air Force variant, Tejas, the narrative dives into the origins, design, and development of the Naval Version (LCA Navy), tracing the milestones from the initial Government Approval (Paper) through to the rigorous stages of flight testing (Flight).

The development journey for both versions encompasses the complex processes involved—identifying operational requirements, conceptualising and simulating designs, drafting detailed engineering plans, and tackling the challenges of building an indigenous combat aircraft. The book offers a vivid portrayal of the teams’ collective perseverance and innovation, highlighting their success in overcoming numerous obstacles to develop India`s first indigenously produced ship-borne and air-based combat aircraft.

History was made with the Naval prototype`s (NP1) maiden flight on 27 April 2012 and the first ski-jump launch on 20 December 2014 at the Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa. The aircraft later achieved significant milestones with its operational deployment aboard INS Vikramaditya in January 2020 and INS Vikrant in February 2023.

Meanwhile, the Air Force variant, Tejas, which first flew in January 2001, has continued to evolve, participating in numerous air exercises and being inducted into the Indian Air Force with operational squadrons. The book highlights the strategic significance of both versions, demonstrating how the development of indigenous aircraft is vital for national defence and technological self-reliance. Offering valuable insights for future indigenisation efforts, the book serves as both an engaging narrative and a reference for the development of upcoming fighter aircraft in India.

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.