The Tuesday Interview | ‘Pilots are trained in complex situations for over a year before they can fly a display’

Established in 1996, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force boasts over 700 displays to its credit. As Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team and one of only four globally, SKAT is set to dazzle audiences with breathtaking aerobatic manoeuvres at Aero India in Bengaluru from Feb 10 to 14. What every Suryakiran pilot will demonstrate is the complete skill set required as a modern-day war fighter: extreme formation flying, precision in execution of complex manoeuvres, situational awareness, and decision-making capability.

Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, team leader and Commanding Officer of SKAT, spoke exclusively to DH’s Nina C George about the team’s preparations. Excerpts:

The Suryakiran team comprises nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, flying in extremely close proximity, less than 5 metres apart. What level of precision is necessary to achieve this?

Precision and perfection are a by-product of the team’s hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. Pilots are selected not only based on their high level of flying skills but also for their sharp situational awareness, ability to withstand high-pressure situations, and sheer grit and determination. Each pilot is trained progressively in more and more complex situations over a year before being cleared to fly a display. During training season, the team practices two to three times a day. 

While the DNA manoeuvre, where five aircraft form a helix shape resembling the DNA structure, is a crowd favourite, what other aerobatic displays can audiences expect at Aero India?

In addition to the DNA structure, the team will perform several other manoeuvres, including crosses such as the ‘barbed wire cross’, where two aircraft cross each other at high speed up to 1,200 kmph; the ‘alpha cross,’ where one aircraft pierces through a formation of five aircraft making the shape of the letter ‘A’; the ‘hidden split,’ where three aircraft conceal themselves before splitting to reveal three separate aircraft flying in precision; and the ‘inverted vic,’ where one aircraft flies inverted accompanied by two wingmen, a low-level buzz, synchronous rolls of five aircraft, and rollbacks.

The team is bringing back the Tricolour at Aero India after a gap of 14 years...

The team commenced operations in 1996 on the Kiran MK II aircraft. It was subsequently wound down in 2011 for training requirements. Then, restarted in 2015 on the current aircraft, the Hawk Mk 132. Since 2020, the team has operated smoke pods on the wing that could generate only white smoke. In 2023, the decision was taken to develop an indigenous smoke pod capable of colour smoke dispensation, which was developed in record time by the base repair depot, Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, in Bengaluru and the squadron. The pod is perhaps the only pod designed, developed, and executed entirely by an air force with no external help. 

Could you elaborate on the indigeneous upgrade of Suryakiran’s Hawk Mk 132 aircraft?

From the design table to the first flight was accomplished in just one year, using only IAF resources and expertise. The addition of colour smoke increases the vibrancy of SKAT displays. Furthermore, manoeuvres such as the DNA have undergone a dramatic increase in visual impact just by the addition of the colour smoke. The colour smoke increases the flexibility in planning and execution of manoeuvres. 

Why is the Suryakiran show divided into composite and synchro-manoeuvres? 

The first phase, known as the composite, aims to showcase all nine aircraft flying in formation and performing various aerobatic manoeuvres in formation. This in itself is a rare sight for the audience, considering that Suryakiran is the only nine-aircraft team in Asia and one of only four in the world.

The “composite” phase aims to showcase the skills of the pilots because flying extended formations with nine aircraft in close proximity, just 5 metres apart, under high gravitational force at low levels, is incredibly demanding. The second phase is called “synchro,” where the aim is to bring the thrill lower and faster for the spectators. For this, all nine aircraft split into smaller elements and up the tempo. This phase, while showcasing the manoeuvrability of the Hawk, also showcases the extreme precision of pilots in executing perfect crosses and other extremely demanding manoeuvres just 100 feet off the ground. Synchro is a high-adrenaline, high-gravitational phase executed in a high-threat environment and requires extreme precision and judgement by each pilot. Thus, over the course of the entire display, each Suryakiran pilot demonstrates the complete skill set required as a modern-day war fighter, be it extreme formation flying, precision in execution of complex manoeuvres, high situational awareness, or decision-making capability.