The elite Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which dazzled the skies of Pune on Friday after the convocation of the 147th course of the National Defense Academy (NDA), once again thrilled the citizens of Pune with its breath-taking presentation. Will do. Aerial stunts in the sky over Air Force Station Lohegaon on Saturday afternoon.
The renowned Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force, established in 1996, is one of the few elite nine-air aerobatic teams in the world and the only one in Asia. The team has performed over 600 demonstrations in international air shows across India and in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and UAE.
The team flies nine Hawk MK132 aircraft built under license in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The spectacular aerobatic displays by the formation are aimed at instilling confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Air Force among the citizens. The team’s pilots are selected twice a year from the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force for three years of duty.
The team put up a mesmerizing aerobatic display to celebrate the passing out of cadets of the 147th course following the convocation ceremony of the National Defense Academy on Friday.
The air show was led by Group Captain Ajay Dashrathi, an NDA alumnus belonging to the 108th Course Lima Squadron. SKAT is set to perform in the skies of Air Force Station Lohegaon around 1 pm on Saturday, where Pune residents can watch aerobatic maneuvers such as loop, roll, cross and inverted flight performed by Hawk MK 132 aircraft.
The current team is led by Group Captain Ajay Dashrathi, a Su-30 MKI pilot. The deputy leader is Group Captain Sidheesh Karthik. The other pilots include Squadron Leaders Jasdeep Singh, Himkhush Chandel, Ankit Vashishtha, Vishnu, Diwakar Sharma and Gaurav Patel and Wing Commanders Rajesh Kajla, Arjun Patel, Kuldeep Hooda and Alan George. Their technical team is led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Squadron Leader Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. The team commentator and administrator is Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu and the team doctor is Squadron Leader Sudarshan.
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