Sqn Ldr Sanjay Dattatraya Patki has been posted to Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) Agra, as a Free Fall qualified parachute Jump Instructor since 29 Jul. 91.

He has been actively involved with development projects on personnel and aircrew parachutes and related safety equipment. He has undertaken live jump testing of indigenous Parachute Automatic Opening Device. He did first live jump trial with (PTA-M) parachute Tactical Assault Main on 28 April 92, which has been developed by ADRDE as a low level parachute for induction in Army. Thereafter, he progressed technical and user trials with PTA-M involving low level jumps at 600 ft and jumps at high altitude. On 14 Aug 93, he did first live jump trial with indigenous Ram Air (9 Cell) Free Fall Parachute. He has to his credit a total of 448 parachute descents inclusive of 311 Free Fall Jumps.

ADRDE has developed Seat MK-10 Aircrew Emergency Parachute for HPT-32 aircraft. Airworthiness authorities suggested that live jump trial be undertaken with Seat MK-10 parachute before final approval. Due to small size of parachute (24 ft Dia), high rate of decent and unusual position (being seattype), carrying out free fall jump with Seat MK-10 parachute was a high risk mission. Sqn Ldr SD Patki volunteered to undertake this challenging task.

On 21 September 1993, he successfully carried out the first ever live jump trial with Seat MK-10 aircrew emergency parachute. This trial was the first of its kind in the country. This live jump by Sqn Ldr SD Patki would boost the confidence amongst future users.

For exceptional devotion to duty the President is pleased to award 'Vayu Sena Medal' to Sqn Ldr Sanjay Dattatraya Patki.