Staff Reporter
The signature manoeuvres of the Surya Kiran and the Sarang Aerobatic teams of the Indian Air Force (IAF) are going to enthral thousands of spectators of Nagpur in ‘Air Fest 2022’ on November 18 and 19 at Vayusena Nagar.
To mark ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence and the glorious history of people, culture and achievements, the Head Quarters Maintenance Command (HQMC), Nagpur is conducting the air show. The previous ‘Air Fest’ was held in 2019.
The main event of the air show will be held on November 19, whereas the ‘Full Dress Rehearsal’ of the air show will take place on November 18. The show will be held from 10 am to 12 Noon on both days. HQMC will organise the event at Vayusena Nagar Parade Ground which will provide a better view to spectators.
The objective of the Air Fest is to showcase various facets of IAF and motivate the youth of Nagpur to choose IAF for an exciting career. Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, AVSM, VSM, AOC-in-C, HQMC will be the chief guest for the event.
The Air Fest will commence with fourteen NCC Air Wing cadets demonstrating their skills in aero modelling wherein both remote controlled and control line models will be flown in full view of the spectators. The remote controlled aircraft will carry out an aerobatics display consisting of loops, rolls and figure of eight whereas, the control line model display inverted flying, loops and vertical figure of eight.
Thereafter, a pilot from Air Headquarters Adventure Cell will enthral the audience in his ‘Paramotor’ with his aerobatics manoeuvres including a spiral descent from 1,000 feet and a wingover at a height of 300 feet.
The dare devils of IAF’s ‘Akashganga’ team comprising of 10 air warriors will display a breath-taking demonstration of skydiving from a Dornier aircraft at a height of 8,000 feet and land with precision in the designated landing zone. The leader will carry the IAF Ensign and land at the designated landing zone adjacent to the spectators.
This will be followed by an Avro, a medium-size turboprop transport aircraft, which would fly low at 500 feet above ground level in front of the spectators.
Thereafter, the synchronised rifle drill will be performed by 18 airmen of the world renowned Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT). They will perform spectacular precision rifle handling drill manoeuvres.
Soon after, the Sarang aerobatics helicopter air display team will fly four modified Advance Light Helicopters (ALHs). The ‘Sarang’ team will perform some breathtaking manoeuvres and create symphony in air. The choppers would fly just approximately two propeller distance from each other in order to exhibit the superior skills and expertise of the pilots. The No 5 Air Force Band will play martial music to the tunes of ‘Sound Barrier’, ‘Ae Watan Watan’, ‘Mera Mulk Mera Desh’ etc to connect the public with the IAF.
The major attraction of the show will be the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT), comprising of nine Hawk aircraft, will enthral the audience with their magnificent manoeuvres in the air.
The Surya Kiran and Sarang Aerobatics Teams are already in city and will display their manoeuvres also on Thursday during a practise session. After the Air Show, a static display of aeromodels, Mi-17V5 chopper and weapons will be opened up to the audience. Publicity stalls will also be available to attend to queries from students and youth regarding various career opportunities in the IAF.