A MEMORABLE AIR SHOW
S.
M. Kumar
Imagine a clear,
blue sky with no clouds or mist or birds. A runway for aircraft
to take off for performing intricate manoeuvers before eager spectators
from far and near. The scene: the Yelahanka air base on the outskirts
of Bangalore, the venue of biannual air shows in India. This time
it hosted the fourth International Aerospace Exposition – Aero
India 2003 from February 5 to 9. The event was specially designed
to profile the entire spectrum of the aeronautical industry at
home and abroad. On display were military and civil aircraft,
systems dealing with weapons, instrument landing, airport equipment,
communication and space industry. There were spectacular flying
displays featuring some of the most advanced and sophisticated
aircraft produced in different countries.
Sponsored by
the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, the exposition was
organized by the Department of Defence Production and Supplies
in co-operation with the Defence Research and Development organization
(DRDO), the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
the Department of Space.
The Defence Ministry
had invited 52 delegations to Aero India 2003 from abroad. Delegations
from the Asia Pacific Region, West Asia, Europe and North and
South America formed a major feature of the event. Companies from
22 countries including the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, France,
the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland,
Romania, Ukraine Republic, Belarus, Israel, South Africa, Malaysia,
Thailand and Singapore participated in the mega event. From the
home turf as well there was an enthusiastic response from as many
as seventy companies. They included the public sector undertakings
of the Defence Ministry.
Altogether 68
aircraft participated in the five-day show. The displays were
both static and flying. The number of countries which participated
was 22, the highest ever. Also the highest ever was the number
of companies that displayed their products – 176. Again, the budget
of Rs. 8 crore for the show was the highest ever allocation for
Aero India. The extravaganza was marketed by the delegations of
the Defence Ministry that visited the Farnborough Air Show and
the Defendory International Exhibition at Athens, Greece.
Besides the Light
Combat Aircraft (LCA), the other main flying machines from India
to participate in the show were MIG-21, MIG-21 Bison, Dornier,
Jaguar Strike, Sukhoi 30 MK1, MIG 29 and Mirage 2000. The helicopters
included Cheetah, ALH-PTA, ALH-PTN, ALH-PT2, ALH-PTC, ALH MOCK
UP and MI-8.
The important
aircraft from abroad were Falcon 900 Ex and Falcon 2000 CJ from
France, MIG 29 M2 and MIG AT from Russia, Hawk ZJ 100 from UK
and TRANSSALLC-160 from Germany.
The display of
aerobatics on the inaugural day on February 5 was dazzling and
breathtaking . The aerobatics showcased the avionics prowess of
the participating aircraft underscoring Asia’s largest air show.
The multi-role fighter Sukhoi-30, which joined the Indian Air
Force last year, India’s light combat aircraft (LCA) and Advanced
Light Helicopters (ALH), the Jaguars and Britain’s Hawk vied for
attention at the show. The LCA, which took to the skies in 2001,
is regarded as the world’s smallest fighter aircraft. Flying at
different speeds and performing complex, superb manoeuvers, including
small radius turns and spectacular stunts that defied gravity,
the deadly fighter aircraft Sukhoi showed its super agility, winning
all-round appreciation for its sheer might.
The ALHs developed
by the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore,
were another big draw as they flew, unfolding their multi-capabilities
for the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The Hawk from Britain which
is highly regarded as an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) also stole
the limelight at the Bangalore air show.
The year 2003
marks a hundred years of aviation. Exactly a century ago the Wright
Brothers in the United States had invented and flown the first
flying machine. Aerodynamics has come a long way since then to
revolutionise time and space. (PIB Features)
