Air show wins heart of people in Dasara celebrations

Mysore, Sep 28 (UNI) The Indian Air Force and Army personnel enthralled huge crowds with their flying machines in a spectacular air show as part of the Dasara festivities at the Bannimantap Stadium here today.

The show began with 'Adarsh' demonstrating a remote controlled model of Cessna aircraft carrying a banner 'Welcome to Mysore Dasara 2006'. The remote controlled models of MiG, Bell 222 and Raptor 30 were also demonstrated.

The deep penetration fighter plane Jaguar held the spectators in awe as it swooped low only to soar up in the sky again with a deafening noise.

An MI8 helicopter hovered over the stadium and made a deep descent. Soldiers, in their battle gear, slithered down the copter with a rope and took positions as they do in real life battle situations.

The transport and communication aircraft AN32 and two Dornier aircraft performed the 'Small Boy' formation at an altitude of 400 ft.

The grand finale was provided by professional paratroopers 'Akash Ganga'. The 14-member team captured the imagination of the public when the sky divers jumped from about 10,000 ft altitude and landed on the ground with their chute in tricolour, depicting the national flag.

Surya Kiran and MiG 21 could not take part in the show as they were required for the Air Force Day in New Delhi.

Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Naveen Verma, Senior MSO, Headquarters, Training Command, IAF, inaugurated the air show at a function, presided over by Karnataka Housing Minister D T Jayakumar. All the aircraft took off from the Yelahanka base in Bangalore.

UNI BSP RM-GD GM1720