AeroIndia: Metal birds dazzles skies with aerial acrobatics

BENGALURU: A breathtaking display of manoeuvres by civil and military aircraft besides aerobatic teams from across the globe cast a spell as the 10th edition of Aero India air show got off to a start here today.

The Bengaluru skies dazzled with somersaults and stunts by metal birds with the daredevilry of world famous aerobatics teams in full flow.

Breitling Wingwalkers (UK), Scandinavian Air Show, Flying Bulls from Czech Republic and Yakovlevs formation display team from UK as also Indian Air Force (IAF)'s " Sarang" team performed jaw dropping stunts.

Rafale fighters of French giant Dassault, shortlisted for acquisition by the Indian Air Force, flew aerobatics displays, after Asia's premier air show was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft "Tejas" also performed aerial feats, that including mimicking combat manoeuvre.

Of seven US military aircraft on display, F-16C Fighting Falcon participated in the air display. The other US aircraft are F-15C Eagles, Boeing KC-135 tanker, C-17 Globemaster III and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.

India's very own Indian aerobatics team 'Sarang', flown by young IAF helicopter pilots, were the showstoppers.

The IAF Sarang Helicopter Display Team with Advance Light Helicopters made by defence PSU HAL has the unique distinction of being one of only two helicopter display teams in the world, the other being 'Blue Eagles' of the British Army.

The Sarang profile began with entry in an inverted wine glass formation and followed by various close formations in 'Line Astern' and 'Diamond' formation.

Three helicopters then grouped together to perform the 'stall turn', known as the 'Dolphin's Leap'. The team kept watchers glued to the skies with their breathtaking manoeuvres.

The team regrouped for its final signature manoeuvre 'The Sarang Split' involving four helicopters criss-crossing each other vertically and horizontally to form a knot.

The Sarang team first debuted at the Asian Aerospace Air show at Singapore in February 2004. Since then, the team has performed in over 35 air shows in India and abroad.

The Scandinavian Air Show Team (Sweden), Aero Superbatics Limited and Airborne Service Limited (both from UK), Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team (Czech Republic) and the Open Sky Jump Team (US Special Forces) also displayed their aerial feats.

Wingwalkers from Scandinavian Air Show team and Breitling Wingwalkers of UK made debut in the Indian Skies with the 2015 airshow.