After his schooling, he joined the National Defence Academy, (NDA) Pune in January 1956.

He spent his initial years as an operational pilot in several front line fighter squadrons.

After the war, Tipnis was deputed to Iraq as a Pilot Attack Instructor (PAI).

[2] After attending the Staff College course at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Wing Commander Tipnis took command of 23 Squadron equipped with Mig 21 Bison.

After this stint, Tipnis was also short-listed (one among four) for the Interkosmos space program.