Eye in the sky: Heart-shaped manoeuvre awaited

Team Sarang is all set to enthrall aviation enthusiasts with a heart-shaped formation in the sky at the 12th edition of Asia’s premier air show, Aero India 2019.

They are to perform the manoeuvre for the first time in India. “We are going to perform two new manoeuvres this time. Along with heart formation, there will be paired stall turns. Sarang 3 and 4 will stall turn while Sarang 1 and 2 will create a beautiful heart shape,” explained Tinju Thomas, commentator of the team.

Team Sarang that gave a spectacular performance on Monday’s full dress rehearsal is going to perform a total of 12 manoeuvres in a span of 16 minutes for the main show. Wing Commander Girish Konvar from Sarang said they were going for some variations in the conventional manoeuvres that they have been performing so far.

Team Surya Kiran has returned with its nine-aircraft formation for the show. They stole the show with stunts performed on Indian Air Force’s Kiran MK-II aircraft on Monday. A330 neo from Airbus turned the centrepiece of Monday’s display with some excellent manoeuvres. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and Russia’s Sukhoi performed stall turns and a myriad of other aerobatic manoeuvres. Other aircraft that performed included NAL Saras, Indian trainer aircraft HAL HTT-40, HAL’s Rudra (Advanced Light Helicopter), Light Utility Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopters.

The show was a treat for the families of HAL workers. “My husband is a senior engineer in an engine division of HAL. I never accompanied him to air shows in the past as I was not interested. Now after watching this show, I feel and understand what my husband is working on and for,” said Usha Rani, wife of Anand Krishna, a HAL employee.

There was a massive gridlock after 9 am until afternoon starting from Hebbal to Yelahanka Air Force Station.

Stalls were being prepared that will be part of the show. The workers in the process said that everything will be set by Tuesday evening. As many as 61 aircraft from across the world are set to take part in the show this year.