Stunt Time: Flying Bulls warm up to join sky party

The Flying Bulls team with IAF's SKAT during 2011 Aero India.

 By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Flying Bulls, one of the world's leading aerobatic display team from the Czech Republic, will be performing their daredevilry during the Aero India-2013 show at Yelahakna Air Force Base. Confirming this to Express, Flying Bulls formation leader Radka Machova, said that her team would touchdown in Bangalore on February 2 from Frankfurt, to script yet another enthralling sky party. The Bulls, had their debut performance at the show in 2011, when the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), had their parting performance. The four-member team performs their stunt duties on Zlin 50LX, a single-engine, single-seater aircraft.

“Aerobatics formation flying is very difficult and demanding type of flying. Each aerobatics pilot has to be experienced with very good health and physical condition and very good nervous system. Ours is very close formation flying, with very little distances between airplanes,” says Radka, the lone woman pilot, in the Flying Bulls team.

This time, on position No 1 will be lead flyer Radka herself; on right wing (No 2) Miroslav Krejci; left wing (No 3) Jiri Saller and filling in the No 4 slot will be Jiri Veprek.

When asked what made the Flying Bulls different from other aerobatic teams in the world, Radka said the display sequence with more than 25 manoeuvres gave them an edge over others. “We have mastered very difficult manoeuvres, that too with negative G-force during head-down sorties. We perform the negative loop on the close diamond position of aircraft and not to forget our mirror flight, with two airplanes flying canopy-to-canopy performing the loop and the 3/4th (3 by 4th) roll among others,” Radka said.

Throwing some insights into the dangers of aerobatic display, she said precision training, an experienced instructor and the right airplane are essential ingredients to light up the sky. “Formation aerobatic flying can be performed by only very experienced pilot with very high moral qualities,” she adds.

The Flying Bulls rate India's SKAT very high and during the 2011 show both teams, in addition to sharing lessons from the skies, have developed a deep bonding and appreciation for their stunning skills. “I have very nice memories of IAF's Surya Kiran team. They are very friendly, experienced and posses rare techniques. I hope the team return soon with modern aeroplanes,” Radka said.

So, what's up on the Flying Bulls' menu this time, apart from thrillers? “Nothing much. Just Bangalore's biriyani,” Radka added.

Copyright@The New Sunday Express

IAF gears up to make Aero India better, safer

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Preparations for the 9^th edition of International Exhibition on Aerospace, Defence and Civil Aviation (Aero India 2013) have entered the last phase at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Yelahanka, Bangalore. In an interview to Express, Air Marshal Rajinder Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF, said that with barely three weeks left for the show, over 500 air warriors are ready to make the show bigger and better. “More than 27 countries are participating in the show. In addition, official delegations from 78 countries are expected during the 5-day show, starting on February 6. Our preparations began in September 2012 and the activity levels are at its peak now,” Rajinder Singh said.

Air Marshal Rajinder Singh

The show-stoppers include the Global 6000; Pilatus PC-7 (IAF's new Basic Trainer Aircraft), the C-130J and the Mi-17 V5 chopper. “The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Chinook and AW-101 helicopters are also participating in the show. This time we have a space pavilion and we are expecting the footfalls to increase , “ he said.

The Air Marshal said that based on his past experience of handling the show, the IAF has refined every SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), including disaster management, fire and aerospace safety. “The co-ordination meetings with stakeholders have been held to further streamline procedures and professional conduct of the show,” he said.

He said the IAF would also be showcasing the rapid strides made not only in modernisation of its combat fleet, but its transition from the antique bi-plane -- Tiger Moth (the first trainer aircraft) -- to the ultramodern Pilatus PC-7 Mk II.

Bird menace: With safety being the top priority for IAF, Rajinder Singh said that all out efforts have been made to contain bird activity, creating a conducive flying environment. “The Karnataka government has taken steps to contain catfish farming in the areas surrounding Yelahanka. We will also undertake bird reconnaissance sorties and have regular inputs from the Ornithology Cell, that studies bird habitats on airfields and surrounding areas to further reduce the bird menace,” he said.

Security: He said the anti-hijack, anti-terror and mass casualty evacuation are already place. “The security grid will be bolstered with Special Forces. Personnel from the NDRF, CISF, RAF and Karnataka government are closely associated with the plans. Various SOPs will be tested for their efficacy prior to show,” Rajinder Singh said.

Copyright@The New Indian Express