Sweden, UK Aerobatics Teams Set to Dazzle Crowds
BENGALURU: Get set to see incredible stunts in the skies by famous aerobatics teams at the Aero India 2015, the biennial air show, in Bengaluru.
Apart from the Breitling Wingwalkers, the Sarang team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Flying Bulls, you can also watch the aerobatics teams from Sweden and the United Kingdom --- Yakovlev Aerobatics and Skycat Wingwalkers of the Scandinavian Airshow.
The tenth edition of Aero India will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, from February 18 to 22.
Yakovlev Aerobatics is the second team from the UK to join the list, though the team uses Yakovlev aircraft, which is of Russian origin.
Lead pilot of the team Jez Hopkins told Express that, in all, four aircraft from the team would take part in the event.
The unique part of the team is that all the aircraft are painted in a common colour scheme as the Russian aircraft that took part in the Battle of Leningrad in the World War II.
“The aircraft are painted in silver and red. We got permission from the Russian authorities to do this,” Hopkins said.
Peter Scandrett, the second pilot in command who has decades of flying experience, said the signature manoeuvre of the team is to perform barrel-rolls with all the four aircraft in tandem.
“It may be a simple manoeuvre, but looks really beautiful when done. It (preparations for the air show) has been great so far, and the air base is fantastic. The weather is warm and perfect for flying,” he said.
Yakovlevs’ Show Every Day
The Yakovlevs will be performing on all days of the show, with two performances every day.
The team from Scandinavian Airshows is very similar to the Breitling Wingwalkers, as they too will have wing walkers who will dance and perform stunts to the rhythm of music that will be played.
Additionally, the team, consisting of two pilots and three wing walkers, will also perform a pyrotechnics show, mostly on February 22, which will involve lazer lights and pyrotechnic acts while flying.
This is the only team in the world to do so. However, pilot Jacob said the pyrotechnics show will have to be carried out in low light, so that it will be a visual treat.
The team flies two Grumman 164 AG-CAT aircraft, which are highly modified to suit the requirements.