Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Dec 09, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Dec 09, 2002 |
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Variety
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Events Sukhoi enthralls in air display Our Bureau
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Dec. 8 FLYING in from its home base in Pune, the sleek Russian built multi-role air superiority tactical fighter, Sukhoi-30, the latest acquisition to the Indian Air Force, thundered down the tarmac in an astounding air combat display at the Sankumughom base. The Sukhoi and the IAF aerobatics team of the Suryakirans literally stole the thunder at the two-day aerobatics exposition conducted as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the IAF. The fighter aircraft left Pune at 9.16 a.m. and reached the base at 10.30 a.m. Earlier, Air Devils, a 20-member sky diving team, held the audience in thrall as they let themselves off their perch from airborne MI-8 helicopters 10,000 feet above. Led by Mr Sanjay Thapar, the team glided their way down to a precise landing at a designated area in front of the visitor's gallery. Mr Thapar, the last to touch down, treated the audience to some daring in-air spirals before showing himself up on ground. The formidable Sukhoi, piloted by Mr Umesh Rakhra, held the onlookers spell-bound engaging in a series of stunning manoeuvres, including 360-degree G-turns and audacious run-ins towards the gallery of visitors before whooshing its way up 90 degrees to do a `Vertical Charlie'. The huge long-range air superiority fighter is comparable to the US F-15 but is superior in many respects. It is a twin-engine aircraft with a blended wing and fuselage and twin tail fins. The Sukhoi demonstrated its exceptional controllability at high angles of attack. Considered to be the most potent fighter aircraft in the region, the Sukhoi's combat range is slated to be around 3,200 km, which can be extended by another 2,000 km if refuelled in mid-air. The six Kiran-Mark II jets of the Suryakirans flew in formation and out, weaving a series of colourful patterns across the sky. The jets left out elongated and arching plumes in their wake in the national colours and executed the `Yankee', `Diamond', `Wedge' and `Tango' formations with ease. The pilots executed loops, barrel rolls and `Vixen Breaks' and hurtled their machines towards each other to do some daring stunts in what is called the `Syncho Pair' formation. Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, hoisted the national flag as the IAF band played the Air Force anthem. An MI-8 helicopter flew past showering flower petals, as the flag was unfurled. The Air Vice-Marshal, Mr M.D. Limaye, was among the IAF top brass present.
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