Bangalore becomes a hub of many aviation related business activities around the 5 days Aero Show event at Yelahanka Airforce Base. This was the 7th show and like always included both the static and flight displays of a number of civil and military crafts. I learnt that the very first one was held in the year 1996 and has acquired the position of being the fourth largest air show in the world!
The show popularizes the latest products and technologies of the aviation and aims at bringing under one roof, exhibitors from all around the globe to showcase the best in aviation industry. There are 2 shows held every day with a panoramic display in the sky.
The fighters F-16, F-18 and Tejas set a wave of euphoric reactions in the crowd with loops, dangerous turns and steeper nose dives. They did a low-lying, slow flypasts right along the line of the viewing area. The Sarang choppers displayed ssynchronized aerobatics and left most of the audience admiring the glamour quotient and thrills experienced by the pilots.
The Surya Kiran’s which are the show stoppers of the events are 9 crafts flying with utmost precision making the most beautiful formations in the sky. Their signature moment in the air — a heart with an arrow piercing through painted against the blue sky. All of this hair raising manoeuvres for sure requires tremendous concentration, grit and determinations.
I learnt that the pilots chosen to fly the Kirans are very experienced pilots who have flown gigantic machines like Mirage 2000, MiG-27, Jaguar and MiG-23 and have a minimum 1,000 hours of flying experience. Unfortunately due to a Surya Kiran crash we lost a few ace pilots (Wing Cmndr Dhaliwal and Wng Cmndr Dheeraj Bhatia in a previous crash), However as they say the Show must go on, the IAF put a brave show though with only 6 Kirans this year and without the heart formation in the sky. Next time (2011) if you happen to be at Bangalore during the Aero Show event, make sure you don’t miss a chance to experience it. A word of advice – If possible either get hold of the passes or else buy the Rs 800/- tickets to get an entry to both Air show and the exhibitions area. The Rs 400/- ticket does not entitle the visitors for the static display of the crafts which can be very disappointing and heart breaking. Also make sure you keep your hats, shades and sunscream handy to beat the scorching sun. An ‘umbrella’ if possible!
The Blog Dedicated to Wng Cmndr Kapil Marwaha
4 comments:
Lessons learnt for me:
(1) Reach early. The parking was full and the security checkpoint was near stampede at the time I reached. It took ages for us to just enter.
(2) Carry a wide-brimmed hat and an umbrella. Just sunglasses and sunscreen are no help. I have never felt the sun in Bangalore as strong as I did during the aeroshow!
The Surya Kiran display was awesome and so...patriotic, and the Sukhoi was masterful. I was sitting close to the place from where the pilots returned - it was great to see the flushed, happy expressions on their faces after their flights - and the applause they got from the audience.
But you know, for all the amazing display in the sky, one just had to look at the ground for a contrast. On one hand the impressive aviation might, the other the lack of civic sense - when the show got over, the place was a huge litter ground of discarded bottles, cans, food waste and paper. I wait for the day when we improve here too!
But all in all, a breathtaking experience. The first visit for me and I was blown away.
Yes and I totally agree...Feb was never as Hot before. Global warming I guess.
The tickets say that outside food is not allowed. But I did see people coming with lot of goodies to munch. I strongly feel that no food should be allowed in the spectators area. There was a food court at a distance and one should be restricted to finish food there itself. You would have spotted so many crows due to food around. Bird impose a lot of risks to the flyers.
However the main thing is to have a system to accommodate a HUGE crowd. The ground is very spacious and there’s no end to tickets being sold but then you don’t have the required facilities for as many and that creates a big problem.
This is great, to see all the pics placed in one place, coming all together is really cool. well captured i must say.
The whole experience of being at the aero show, witness the stunts, the discipline and aura of it, was actually messemarizing..:)
Its to some extent inspiring as well.. not that it inspires to become one of them, but inspires to be something for an indiividual, for a mass, for a crowd, for a society, for a state or for a country... ur nation...
hatts off to the people who are there and salute to tht gesture.
Yes i agree, the only spoiler was the heatt.. ehehhe we were all grilled and charred...:)
but still the exoperience stands unique and a memorable one..
cheers..
lov n luk
Very Informative blog.Will try to be there next time.
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