BENGALURU: After a gap of six years and two editions of Aero India, the show stoppers are all set to take over the skies of Bengaluru again.
The resurrected ‘Surya Kiran’ aerobatic team of Indian Air Force is all set to make its maiden appearance in the upcoming Aero India event. The 11th edition of the premier air show will begin at Yelahanka Air Force Station grounds on February 14.
“We are thrilled to perform over the skies of Bengaluru. This is the first time we will be performing in the Bengaluru air show and we have prepared a flight plan of 18-20 minutes. For the first time, the team is ready with horizontal and vertical manoeuvers and as per the visibility, the team will be performing the stunts,” a senior pilot from the Surya Kiran team, told Express.
The previous Surya Kiran team, which flew in aged Kiran Mark-II aircraft, was accorded as one of the three nine-aircraft formation aerobatic teams in the world, other two being Patrouille de France, the aerobatic team of French Air Force, and Red Arrows of the British Royal Air Force.
Currently the regrouped Surya Kirans are flying with six newly inducted British Hawks - assembled by HAL. Compared to the Kiran Mark-II planes, the Hawks are faster and better. The team will be flying at a average speed of 550-700 kmph and will perform with the gray smoke instead of signature Tricolour smoke.
“The Kiran Mark-II aircraft were indigenously built and hence modifications of colour chambers were easy. As the current aircraft is built in the UK, modification is going to take some more time. There are some technical issues which are being addressed by the Air Force.
Hence, the signature stunt of Surya Kirans -- piercing through the heart -- will be missing during the air show. We would have loved to perform the stunt on the inaugural day of air show being Valentine’s Day,” the pilot said.
The Surya Kiran team is based at Bidar Air Force Station and by October, the team is expected to regroup with traditional nine trainer jets.