The 12th edition of Asia's premier Air show ‘Aero India 2019’ began at the Yelahanka air force station in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 20 February, with many aircraft, including HAL's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, roaring in the city skies.
The tragic death of a pilot from IAF's aerobatic team Suryakiran in a mid-air collision during a rehearsal earlier on Tuesday has cast a shadow on the show.
A flypast at the show was conducted by Jaguar, Tejas and Sukhoi 30 aircraft in the 'missing man' formation in honour of Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who died in the crash. A Rafale aircraft also flew at low speed to pay tribute to the deceased pilot.
As the event began on Wednesday, the aircraft of the Suryakiran aerobatics team stood with their canopies covered on the runway behind the inaugural venue. The aircraft are not participating in the show due to the mishap.
The five-day long biennial event, which is showcasing India's air defence prowess, is also going act as a platform for aviation companies, the defence sector and government to forge new alliances and contracts.
This edition of Aero India was also marked by controversy with reports about it being shifted to Uttar Pradesh, which had taken a political colour, as the Congress-JD(S)-led government in the state had hit out at the BJP-led-Centre against the alleged move.
Besides the Tejas, the HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), first indigenously upgraded Hawk Mk132 – named as Hawk-i, Civil Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are flying in the air show, reported PTI.
On static display are HAL's Light Utility Helicopter (PT-1), Light Combat Helicopter (TD-2), Advanced Light Helicopter (Rudra) and ALH MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit).
The Sukhoi SU-30, Rafale, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the mighty B-52 Stratofortress bomber are also part of the air show.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)
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