Suryakiran team to showcase its skills in Amritsar

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) will exhibit its skills at Air Force Station Rajasansi here on September 21 as part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Amritsar, Sept 16 : The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) will exhibit its skills at Air Force Station Rajasansi here on September 21 as part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

SKAT is one of the three renowned 9 ac (aircraft) formation aerobatic teams of the world.

Unlike most teams, which fly either frontline fighter aircraft or advanced jet trainers, SKAT is proud to fly an indigenous basic jet trainer, the Kiran MK II.

The team displays all facets of the IAF's professionalism at the highest level and has showcased its skill across the country and abroad in the past.

The duration of the display routine varies from about 10-20 minutes depending upon the location of the display site. The first half of the routine includes turns, wingovers, loops and barrel rolls in various nine aircraft formations.

During the second half, the formation splits into two groups to carry out a variety of manoeuvres like splits, level and rolling crosses, inverted runs and the heart loop.

The team operates between speeds of 200-600 kmph and flies within a height band of 30-1500 meters.

Flying with such split second precision, demands peak performance from both men and machine, leaving no room for error or doubt.

In a decade, the team has inspired the new generation of Indians to join the IAF.In appreciation for its consistent performance since 1996, the Chief of the Air Staff awarded the "Unit Citation" to SKAT on October 8, 2004. The Suryakiran team is the first unit of the IAF to receive this award.

ANI