ACI Secretary General
Group Captain Arvind Badoni
ACI Secretary General
Group Captain Arvind Badoni (Retd.) is a seasoned aviation professional and respected veteran of the Indian Air Force, with an illustrious career spanning over three decades in military and civil aviation. Commissioned into the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in December 1987, he has served the nation with distinction in various strategic, operational, and leadership roles, contributing to mission readiness and logistics excellence across multiple commands and assignments.
Throughout his IAF tenure, Group Captain Badoni was known for his meticulous planning, operational efficiency, and people-first leadership style. He was entrusted with critical responsibilities related to aviation logistics, resource mobilization, airbase management, and inter-service coordination. His service was marked by consistent promotions and accolades, culminating in his retirement at the rank of Group Captain, reflecting both his professional excellence and leadership acumen.
Following his retirement from active military service, Group Captain Badoni transitioned seamlessly into a leadership role in India’s civil aviation sector. He currently serves as the Secretary General of the Aero Club of India (ACI) — the national apex body for general aviation and air sports under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and a member organization of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), Switzerland.
In this capacity, he has been at the forefront of several transformative initiatives aimed at revitalizing India’s aviation training infrastructure and promoting indigenous capabilities in aircraft manufacturing. Notably, under his guidance, the Aero Club of India signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sakthi Aviation Industries Pvt. Ltd. (SAIPL) and Diamond Aircraft Industries, Austria. This initiative is set to enable the domestic manufacturing of DA40 NG single-engine trainer aircraft, addressing the urgent need for training aircraft in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector. The project aims to deliver 70 aircraft by the end of 2025 and scale up production to 100 aircraft annually, making India a hub for aviation training equipment under the “Make in India” initiative.
Beyond this, Group Captain Badoni has actively championed air safety, aviation skilling, sustainable growth of recreational and competitive air sports, and public-private partnerships to democratize access to aviation careers in India.
His vision is rooted in national development and self-reliance, with a strong belief in creating pathways for the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation entrepreneurs. He frequently engages with government bodies, regulatory authorities, international aviation forums, and educational institutions to ensure that India’s aviation policies are forward-looking and globally aligned.
From the cockpit to the boardroom, Group Captain Arvind Badoni’s journey reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and nation-building. His work continues to inspire professionals across defense and civil aviation sectors alike, as he leads efforts to elevate India’s presence on the global aerospace map.
