Mirror 15th Feb 2019 https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/comeback-show-for-surya- kiran-saras/articleshow/67532828.cms Comeback Show For Surya Kiran, SARAS

basic trainer for IAF’s budding fighter pilots. It had been the mainstay at the biennial Aero since 1996. However, the team was disbanded after the 2011 edition of the air show as the IAF decided

SARAS passenger aircraft to reroute the Kiran Mk-II’s solely for training purposes due to a shortage of Things hot up for as 47 aircraft . confirm presence; IAF Surya Kiran, NAL’s SARAS will be part of display after years The Surya Kiran team later made a conversion to the Hawk Mk-132 Advanced With little over a month left for Aero India Jet Trainer (AJT) and since 2015 have been to start, around 47 metal birds that will take training and performing with the Hawk part in the airshow have confirmed their aircraft. Though the Surya Kiran team participation. performed at 2017 edition of the airshow, it was with a six-aircraft formation and not While a majority of the aircraft that would the nine aircraft formation. be taking part in flying and static display during the airshow are Indian made or Also making a return to the airshow after belong to the Indian armed forces, a few many years is the NAL designed and foreign ones too are making their presence developed SARAS PT1N which last felt. Aero India is to be held at the Air Force performed in the Aero India 2009. The Station Yelahanka between February 23 SARAS program was grounded since 2009 and 24. following a crash of prototype of the aircraft in the outskirts of Bangalore and Among the Indian aircraft, the Light took to the skies only last year. The 14- Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will have the seater aircraft will be among the aircraft largest presence with nine aircraft which that will be part in the flying display. will be on both flying and static display, followed by the Advanced Light Helicopter Among the vintage aircraft which will be (ALH) and the Light Combat Aircraft taking part in the airshow is the Dakota (LCA). aircraft.

The aerobatic teams who have confirmed Among the foreign helicopters and military their participation include the Indian Air aircraft which will be on static display are Forces (IAF) Surya Kiran and the Sarang the Airbus H135 and Airbus H145 the teams. After a hiatus of eight years, Surya Airbus A400M, C295 and the ANTONOV Kiran will return with its nine-aircraft 132D. Two Rafales will also be part of the formation during next months’ Aero India. flying display.

Surya Kiran used to be a big draw, performing stunts in Kiran MK-II aircraft, a