52 commercial aircraft on display at Aero India

Bangalore, Feb 6: A record number of 52 commercial aircraft belonging to 13 international companies from seven countries and four domestic organisations will be on static/flying display, besides demonstration flights and the spectacular aerobatic exercise by the Saarang team of the Indian Air Force at the five-day international event Aero India 2007, beginning here tomorrow.

Ranging from the state-of-the art F-16s from the US Department of Defence and Lockheed Martin, Falcons from Dassault, MIGs and Be 200 from Russia, Gripens from Sweden's SAAB, Hawkers from Raytheon Aircraft Company, F-18 hornets from Boeing and Q400 passenger jet from Bombardier, and MIG 21 and SU-30 from the public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited were among the flying jets on display.

Indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas would be the cynosure of many eyes at the event. Rotary wing helicopters were brought by Bell Helicopter, Boeing, HAL and Enstorm Helicopter.

The venue was all set to host the mega event with 11 air-conditioned halls, 49 single and double storeyed air conditioned business chalets, business aircraft area, static display area and international media centre.

For the first time in Aero India, there had been an overwhelming response from international and domestic participants for sposorship and branding. An international conference on aviation touching upon various aspects such as India's civil aviation market, development of world class infrastructure at airports and aircraft repair and maintenance had also been scheduled, in which aviation experts from across the world were expected to address.

Another highlight of the event would be Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata taking to the skies in a F-16 fighter aircraft on February nine from the Yelahanka air base of the IAF. Mr Tata, an experienced aviator, would be the co-pilot in a twin-seater F-16.

UNI