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
