A former Indian Air Force Test Pilot, Commander Sathe had won the President’s Gold Medal, topping his course both at the National Defence Academy (NDA) and also at the Air Force Academy (AFA) where he won the coveted Sword of Honour as the Best Flight Cadet of the 127th Pilot’s Course, or 127 PC as it was called, in June 1981. He served in the IAF for 22 years, initially flying MiG 21s for the Golden Arrows, the 17 Squadron at Ambala which was recently equipped with Rafales. He was to return to AFA later as a qualified Flight Instructor, teaching budding Air Force Pilots to fly Kirans.