Surya Kiran jets thrill spectators at air show

PUNE: In a first, an 18-member Surya Kiran aerobatic team flew Tejas and Sukhoi fighter jets together at the Lohegaon Air Force Station here on Saturday.

The Indian Air Force team flew in different nine-aircraft formations, much to the delight of the spectators — several dignitaries, senior IAF officers, Indian Armu personnel and their family members as well as students from various nearby schools.

The visitors were welcomed by the Air Commodore Rahul Bhasin, the Air Officer Commanding.

Bhasin is a recipient of the Vayusena Medal.

The Tejas nine-aircraft formation is a new addition to Surya Kiran’s show. The team had staged its first performance in Tejas aircraft on Air Force Day, on October 8, in New Delhi this year.

The team had arrived at the air force station on Wednesday. Since they will perform during the upcoming passing-out parade at the National Defence Academy (NDA), Surya Kiran will continue to hold practice sessions for two more days in the coming week.

“The team executed various formations, such as wine glass, fulcrum, diamond and arrow, in the show that lasted 30 minutes at the station,” a senior IAF officer told TOI on Saturday.

The aerobics demonstration team — based at Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka — is also known as ‘The Sharks’. It was raised in 1996 on the Kiran M-II aircraft.

The name Surya Kiran translates to “Rays of the Sun”. The team was formed primarily to serve as IAF’s ambassadors as well as to showcase the professionalism, calibre and mettle of the air force.

Since its formation, the team has performed many demonstrations across the country and abroad. At one point, it was regarded among the most renowned nine-aircraft aerobatics teams in the world. The team flew its first six-aircraft sortie on May 27, 196, at the Bidar air force station.

The team was suspended in February 2011, but was resurrected in 2015 on the Hawk Mk-132 aircraft. Currently, the team comprises 13 fighter pilots, an administrator and four engineering officers. All these pilots belong to the IAF’s fighter stream.

“These pilots are well-trained, and have mastered all aspects of flying, as they regularly practise for hours. As the team carries out several formations with difficult manoeuvers, fine-tuned coordination, teamwork and confidence in each other’s abilities are necessary things for the perfect show,” said a member of the team.