Aero India 2019: Skycats, Dakota heritage plane and Rafale jets to rule the sky

Bengaluru, Feb 12: The 12th edition of the biennial Aero India Exhibition will begin on February 20th (Wednesday). The exhibition will be inaugurated with fly past and aerobatic display at Yalahanka air base. The tagline for Aero India 2019, "The Runway to a Billion Opportunities" was created to communicate India's value proposition in addressing the immense opportunities in the Aerospace and Aviation sectors in India today.

AeroIndia logo:

The logo for Aero India 2019 is inspired by the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The Tejas LCA together with its variants, is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class. This single engine, Compound-Delta-Wing, Tailless Aircraft is designed and developed to meet diverse needs of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN).The Tejas LCA programme has achieved the rare distinction of completing over 4000 Successful Test Flights. The tri-colored silhouette of the Tejas LCA with the Ashok Chakra in the centre is the core motif of this logo, reminiscent of the spirit of New India.

The defined outlines of the 'A' in Aero is symbolic of a fighter jet while conveying that Aero India is a premier global aerospace exhibition.

AeroIndia Mobile app:

In hours of its first ever launch, the Aero India Mobile app was downloaded over 1100 times. The app is the Ministry of Defence's latest initiative on Digital India. The app will have schedules, maps, connect with Exhibitors, even report feedback on amenities/public services information.

Aero India 2019 will provide a significant platform in bolstering business opportunities in International aviation sector. A rapidly growing economy and opening up of defence production to private sector, have given a major fillip to the defence industry in India. It has also become a hub for defence businesses in Asia.

Major attractions:

Skycats:

The SKYCATS will perform an aerobatic wing walking act on "CATWALK". With the powerful smoke system and wingtip pyrotechnic smoke the air show pilot Jacob Holländer or Sus Jan Hedén invites for an wingwalking display that is unique in its class. During flight the two SKYCATS are climbing and posing on the wings of the aircraft in different formations like "Lazy Cat", "Super Cat" etc. while the pilot is making numerous of aerobatic manoeuvres like loops and barrel rolls.

SKELDAR V-200 UAV

The Saab Skeldar is a medium-range VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) developed by the Swedish aerospace company Saab. Missions for the Skeldar involves surveillance, intelligence gathering, light cargo transportation and electronic warfare.

DAKOTA heritage aircraft:

Hero of the Indo-Pak war in 1947, the Dakota was among India's first aircraft in the battle zone. Decommissioned but resurrected in 2011, the old warbird is now all set to rekindle nostalgia with an emphatic display in AirIndia Show 2019.

Twin Rafales to make a sortie:

Twin Rafale fighet jets will go for a sortie as a part of aerobatic display in the five-day exhibition. The Rafale aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation and deployed by the French Air Force, a Dassault Falcon 2000S, an Airbus A330-900, an Airbus C295 and Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters will be presented.