Angle of Attack: Express sharpshooter floors MoD | Tejas’ take-off photo captured during Aero India on way to South Block

The (above) photograph of India’s Tejas fighter taking off, captured during the just-concluded Aero India, by Express photographer Suresh Nampoothiri, has gone viral in aeronautical circles. (Below) A combo of photos show India's Tejas take-off during Aero India.

Photos: Suresh Nampoothiri, The New Indian Express

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Suresh Nampoothiri

Bangalore: The show is over, but the stories keep pouring in one after the other. In military aviation one of the most-discussed aspects of a combat fighter is its Angle of Attack -- popularly known as AoA. (Wikipedia explains AoA as the angle between the chord line of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft and the vector representing the relative motion between the aircraft and the atmosphere.) But, little did Express’ sharpshooter Suresh Nampoothiri realize that his ‘AoA’, while on duty, might fetch him rare laurels from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and leading shutterbugs! Like any military story from the tarmac, this too has its share of suspense and thrill. And, in this case there’s a happy ending too!

On assignment at Yelahanka’s Air Force Station during the just-concluded Aero India, Express photographer decided to take a different flightpath. Bored with ground realities, he ducked the security and climbed atop a building which was hitherto a ‘no-fly-zone’ for the media. Back with his prized catch of the day, he began processing the frames at the Media Centre. Unaware that every move of his was under scanner, one senior official of MoD encountered Suresh asking one question after another about the photo, the angle, the position, the permission and the like.

However, the MoD officials were soon impressed with the series of photos taken by the young man, capturing the take-off of India’s Tejas combat fighter. Col Basudev Maitra, MoD’s Photo Division Director, was heard telling everyone at the Media Centre: “Bahut badia angle hain. Great photo!”

On Tuesday, Sitanshu Kar, MoD’s Principal Spokesperson and Additional Director General (Media and Communication) told City Express from Delhi that the Tejas take-off photo has virtually gone viral in the defence circles. “It’s very rare that one gets such a photo. The parked aircraft on the front adds more life to it. It also shows Tejas in a very dramatic frame. Many felt that Tejas was looking like a foreign fighter. The frame and angle made all the difference. It is a very stunning photo and definitely drew the attention of many,” says Kar, an avid photographer himself.

It is now confirmed that the Tejas stunner from the hangars of Express in Bangalore will find a place very soon at Dilli’s South Block. Moral of the story: AoA matters for planes and in photography!

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SPOTTED: Amidst the crowd, ADA master silently watches the Tejas display!

Aeronautical Development Agency boss P S Subramanyam watching the
Tejas display on the last day of Aero India 2013. Photo: Jithendra M

By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Bangalore: For Pinjala Siva Subramanyam, the boss of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the just-concluded Aero India 2013, was in many ways an emotional one. The soft-spoken aerospace brain took some time out on the last day of the show at the Yehalanka Air Force Station on Sunday -- to be part of the crowd, unnoticed. When City Express spotted the white-bearded man amidst the plane-crazy visitors, he was on the phone speaking with his ground crew on the opposite side of the runway.

“In another 10 minutes Tejas will take-off. It’s in many ways a special moment for me,” Subramanyam said, amidst ear-splitting noise of an American transport aircraft, which landed after finishing the display. In couple of minutes a Limited Series Production (LSP-2) aircraft from Tejas flightline took to the skies. When the commentator screamed ‘India’s Tejas’, the visitors went berserk in unison, adding more madness to the plane carnival. But P.S., as he is fondly known among his close circles, was cool. His eyes locked on to the skies watching Tejas perform some stunning maneuvers.

He said ADA captured the imagination of the visitors by exhibiting the technologies that were developed in the last two decades for the Tejas programme. “We have arrived and the people have experienced our strengths. It’s not an overnight exercise,” Subramanyam said. The simulated environment of terrain inside the ADA hall floored the visitors, including Defence Minister A K Antony, who is said to have asked his men to have the same script for an exhibition in Kerala.

He said the youngsters and students were impressed by the Tejas simulators at the show. “Our main aim this time was to give maximum exposure to the student community. Special teams were formed to explain the salient features of combat fighter technologies. We hope some of these talented brains will join our future programmes,” Subramanyam said.

As Tejas touched down, the ADA captain was ready to get going for the day’s last appointment. “During the 2015 show, I am confident that a production variant of Tejas will fly here. Tejas will be in IAF Squadron colours, then,” he said, adjusting his beard and disappearing into the crowd.

Copyright@City Express, The New Indian Express

Adding charm & colour when Sarangs soar | I am inspired by gutsy IAF pilots: Bhavana

Wg Cdr Bhavana Mehra, Sarang Helicopter Display Team. Photo: IAF

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Wg Cdr Bhavana’s Mehra’s always spots a smile which might be worth a billion dollar. She is the only woman commentator with the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Earlier, she was with the Surayakirans and also was the deputy leader of first mixed expedition to the Mount Everest in 2011. Her interests and achievements might run into pages and today she acts as a bridge between the Sarang team and the crowd who watches their thrilling display.

“My commentaries are mixed with little humour and some unknown facts about the pilots. Our main job is to inspire youngsters so that they become air warriors,” says Bhavana. Today, she does multi-tasking duties taking care of Sarang’s publicity, team administration and the commentary. Interestingly, Bhavana holds the Limca Book of Record for being the only India non-pilot to be have flown 144 hours during her stint with the Suryakirans.

“Writing poetry is my favourite pastime. I have done sky-diving and I am a classical Kathak dancer too. I have also learnt English ballroom dance. But, what really fascinates me are the mountains,” says Bhavana, when asked about her interests. “The mountains keep calling me. I am also inspired by the gutsy IAF pilots,” she adds.

Hailing from Amritsar, Bhavana says she was always attracted towards fighter planes when she was a kid. “I have been so impressed with the local flying activities of the fighters, while I was living at Naya Nangal, a small town in Ropar of Punjab. I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, but ended up as a administration officer in the IAF. But, no regrets I am a proud air warrior,” Bhavana said.

She says Bangalore is an enchanting in many ways. “The pubs, the bowling allies and many more make the whole place so vibrant,” she said. With over 17 years in the IAF, Bhavana feels a commentator’s job becomes complete when she is able to connect with the masses. “I am just adding my bit to make the show colourful. My pilots are the heroes and I salute them,” she adds.

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SEN-sational: At 78, a solo down memory lane, onboard Tiger Moth

Air Commodore (retd) T K Sen (78) with the resurrected Tiger Moth at Aero India. He is also seen interacting with its pilots. Photo: AK

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Amidst the sonic symphony of planes at Yelahanka Air Force Station, one man was seen moving around near the ‘yellow bird’ parked at a quiet corner. He cajoled each and every part of the aircraft, peeped into its cockpit and checked its tail. He held on to the strings which were hinged to wings. Giving him company was two pilots who flew the bird at air show. They explained to man the challenges of keeping the flying machine in good shape.

“You know, it was on this day (February 9) in 1952, I did my fist solo on Tiger a Moth. I was 17 years old. I wasn’t even eligible to hold a driving license, then,” says Air Commodore (retd.) T K Sen, is in his late 70s, now. “I might have flown for around 15 minutes. And, today when I stand next to this plane, I have some very sweet memories giving me company. I did not fly this aircraft, but a different Tiger Moth,” says Sen. He served the Indian Air Force (IAF) for 33 years, from 1953 to 1986.

At Aero India 2013, the IAF has displayed one resurrected Tiger Moth – 'de Havilland DH82 - a two-seater, single bay biplane, powered by a 145 hp Gypsy Major four-cylinder inverted air-cooled engine. It was the primary trainer aircraft for the Royal Air Force during the World War-II and was also the basic trainer in the IAF right from the 40s. “You know, with no electrical system on board, the Tiger Moths had to be started manually. Now, the IAF has fitted a radio for communication,” says Sen.

When asked how he communicated without any basic instruments during his flying days, Sen said: “We never communicated!” He said it was great for a pilot to catch-up with an old aircraft.

As we finished the photo-shoot of Sen and his men around, one could still see the spark in his eyes as he observed the details of a flying machine, he dated decades back. May be his mind and soul was pushing him for another solo in Yelahanka.

Once a pilot, always a pilot!

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Day 4: More frames from Yelahanka

  Photo: Maj V K Singh

Rahul's Knights: Aero India at its best

 Rahul Devnath Photography

Day 4: Snapshots from Aero India

 Photos | B Satish Kumar, MoD