Surya Kiran signs off

[Parthy]

The Surya Kiran aerobatic team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has shown there last performance on their HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 aircraft at the Aero India 2011.

The aircraft gave its last thundering performance on Sunday evening, before retiring from aerobatics after 15 years of service.

The team has fascinated onlookers with their risky, crisp and stunning mid-air complex manoeuvres at the show.

With six aircrafts, Surya Kiran gave their first performance at Aero India in 1996 and by 1999 the team was expanded into nine.

The team was conferred with squadron status in 2006, and presently has the designation of 52 Squadron, Air force ("The Sharks").

The team will now fly Hawk advanced jet trainers at next Aero India. The Kiran aircraft will be sent to the Bidar air force station in Karnataka for training rookie pilots.



http://www.brahmand.com/news/Surya-Kiran-signs-off/6300/1/14.html

 

[chex3009]

 

[Blackwater]

thank god finally ......................

 

[Tshering22]

The team will now fly Hawk advanced jet trainers at next Aero India.

Is this a speculation or what? Considering that next AERO India is going to happen in 2013, IJT-36 Sitara will receive clearance next year. Followed by, who knows FOC by 2013? Its a trainer jet and maybe as much testing as Tejas might not be required on it. One never knows. I really wish Sitaras replace the Kirans in SKAT rather than Hawks which are seriously needed for training pilots at advanced levels.

 

[sandeepdg]

Yeah, I also think its better to use the IJTs for the "Sharks" squadron rather than using the high-end trainers like the Hawks, which are more essential for pilot training.

 

[black eagle]

With the hawks the SKAT would only end up being Red Arrows-2. I hoped the kirans would be replaced by the sitaras. since an aerobatic display team of an air force should fly indigenous jets to demonstrate the might the countries' air power & self reliance in that field..

 

[black eagle]

Q. Will IAF disband the Surya Kirans?

A: Surya Kiran will not be disbanded but the shortage of the aircraft had forced them to make these changes. SPT-32 is currently grounded. Therefore, Kiran (HJT-16) will be used for training purposes. As we are shortage of Kiran aircraft, we'll at present minimise their performances. Later on, IJT will be a part of the Surya Kiran aircraft.

http://www.brahmand.com/news/IAF-Chiefs-exclusive-press-conference-at-Aero-India-2011/6304/3/41.html

 

[Alexis121]

Suryakiran signs off

Feb. 13: Hold your breath and listen to this. Your favourite Suryakirans will not be performing for at least two coming air shows. For two editions, Aero India might lose some of its charm with the stars of the show, the Suryakirans, staying away.

While thousands watched in awe as the Suryakirans performed on Sunday evening, few knew that they were signing off for good. The Suryakirans' evening performance on Sunday was not just their last display for the day or the last on the Kiran aircraft, but the last show for the team, for a long time to come (around five years).

"The team's next aircraft, Hawk, will be available to them only after two to three years. After that, they will need another year or two for training on the new aircraft. This means there will be no Suryakirans flying for at least five years, including two air shows," a senior Defence Ministry official, who did not want to be named, told Deccan Chronicle on Sunday.

This follows the Air Chief Marshal telling reporters on Thursday that Suryakirans will continue to fly. The Suryakiran team also told the media on Friday that they will continue to fly, and it is just the aircraft which will be new (the Hawks till the indigenous IJTs are available).

The team, in fact, will soon be left with no aircraft to fly. "After the team hands over the Kiran aircraft for training purposes soon after the air show, the team members will be sent back to their respective squadrons or put on another mission. The process might take a couple of months," the MoD official said.

BANGALORE (BNS):
The Surya Kiran aerobatic team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has shown their last performance from HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 aircraft at the Aero India 2011.

The aircraft gave their last thundering performance on Sunday evening, before retiring from aerobatics after 15 years of service.

The team has fascinated onlookers with their risky, crisp and stunning mid-air complex manoeuvres at the show.

With six aircrafts, Surya Kiran gave their first performance at Aero India in 1996 and by 1999 the team was expanded into nine.

The team was conferred with squadron status in 2006, and presently has the designation of 52 Squadron, Air force ("The Sharks").

The team will now fly Hawk advanced jet trainers at next Aero India. The Kiran aircraft will be sent to the Bidar air force station in Karnataka for training rookie pilots.