Sarang to display breathtaking aerobatics on 77th Air Force Day

Hindon (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 6 (ANI): A grand display of aerobatics by the Sarang Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) team will hit the skies during 77th Air Force day celebrations, here on Thursday.

The Sarang team, which is comprised of ALH Dhruv, is known for putting up breathtaking colorful displays.

It is one of the top ten aerobatics teams in the world.

The Sarang Helicopter Display team has its genesis in the ALH Evaluation Flight (AEF), which was formed in March 2002 to carry out user trials and accept the production helicopters into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Dhruv is a multi-role, multi-mission helicopter powered by two Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 engines.

The AEF carried out user trials at various locations in India under varying operating conditions, to evaluate the performance of ALH.

After the completion of initial task of field evaluation of the ALH, the AEF's role was changed to a formation display, with the task of showcasing the professionalism of the IAF and the giant leap taken by India's aviation industry.

The team continuously strives to modify and perform new profiles for each display. It works towards achieving greater perfection and professionalism. While it is natural to expect daring and precise displays by fixed wing aircraft, it is difficult for helicopters to perform similar manoeuvres owning to their inherent instability and large rotors.

The team performs the formations of syncro cross, cross over break, Arrow, Stall turn.

The performance includes the breathtaking, steep bank angles, high rate of rolls and pull-ups to weave an array of beautiful patterns in the sky.

The face-to-face formations where the two copters come so near to each other that it seems as if they will collide with each other.

Wing Commander Ravuri Sheetal is leading the Sarang team comprising of 13 pilots, two technical officers and a commentator.

Wing Commander Sheetal said: "We always concentrate to produce our best performance and is only possible with the help of strict training to the pilots."

The Sarang team started its public display during the Asian Aerospace Exhibition at Singapore in 2004 and has earned rave reviews in the international media.

Last year, Sarang participated in the ILA 2008 at Berlin and at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom.

"Whenever we go to foreign countries we always keep the flag of the IAF and the country at the highest level. People in foreign countries always welcomed us and are thrilled by our performance, said Wing Commander Kedar Kakade, the deputy leader of the team.

The team is striving high to live up to its motto "But For The Rotors, We Would Have Been Closer."

The team is a regular performer during the annual Air Force Day, National Defence Academy passing out parade, and other events of national importance.

Earlier, in September, the Sarang team that is also known as the 151 Helicopter Unit bid adieu to its home base at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore and shifted to the Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore. By Shreeraj Gudi (ANI)