New planes boost Mark Jefferies' art in sky

Mark Jefferies team’s spectacular display has been the main attraction at the aviation show here at the Begumpet Airport.

The team is back after two years with four “Extra 330SC” aircraft. Four pilots with 4 single engine aircraft have been performing aerobatic acts twice a day for the third consecutive day on Friday. The show lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Mark Jefferies, Tom Cassells, Chris Burkett, Steve Carver, Michael Pickin all British Champions, of the Global Stars aerobatic team, are lighting up the skies of Hyderabad with their stunning aerobatics, performing those nail biting moments.

“Four Extras were shipped on the here on January 14 in containers via Nhava Sheva, Mumbai,” the team said. The “Extra 330SC” is a single seat, low-wing aerobatic monoplane with gear, offering incredible aerobatic performance.

The aircraft are equipped with camera equipment and transmitters for air-to-ground live video and to record the flying displays and air shows that the Global Stars team led by Mark Jefferies performs around the world.

The Global Stars team has recently performed at Avalon, Australia in March, Ahmadabad, India in April 2015, and Zhengzhou, China in September 2015. Bahrain (BIAS) in January and now in Hyderabad. It is the same team which has performed during the 4th edition of India Aviation Show 2014.

These pilots from the United Kingdom were a celebrity of sorts during the last Indian aviation show. They were mobbed by those who want to get a picture with them. Their shows were a scene-stealer which the city remembers still. The pilots last time brilliantly unveiled their unique synchronised smoke acts.

“Mark and myself flew the show in 2014 arousing great enthusiasm amongst the crowd, so much so we needed a police escort,” says Tom Cassells. They did with two aircrafts in 2014 and now they are performing with four aircraft. These four aircraft were also a part of the Static Display of 29 latest aircraft on display at the Air show 2016.

With the latest technology cameras fitted to the aircraft, live footage is transmitted to trackside screens giving the audience a bird’s eye view of the event. Cameras can be fitted anywhere on the aircraft, including inside the cockpit.