Udhampur, October 15 (Scoop News)-Sarang ( Peacock as it is called in Sanskrit ) acrobatic team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) led by Wg Cdr Ravi C Pathak conducted a breathtaking display at the Air Force Station, on Tuesday as part of the 81st IAF celebrations.
The founder of the Helicopter Display Team of IAF has named it Sarang and their acrobatics matched with a dancing peacock.
Even the colour scheme of the helicopters is the one in which a peacock is etched all over the Advance Light Helicopter that the team files.
Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C, Northern Command was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Station Commander Group Capt Devendra P Hirani while complementing the acrobatic team said that with such performances and displays , the team would definitely inspire the youth of the country to be part of the Indian Air Force.
“ At the same time, laying these beautiful machines to their limits, the team also showcases the capabilities of the Advance Light Helicopter, skill of the pilots and the indigenous aviation industry.” Gp Capt Hirani said.
On 31 Jan 2003, for the first time, two ALH ac of the then ALH Evaluation Flt took off and performed in unison. That day, the Sarang team was born. ALH Evaluation Flt was converted into 151 Helicopter Unit in Dec 03. Today, Sarang is the only, four ac, military helicopter display team is the world. Year 2013 marks as the 10th year of the display flying by this first ALH Unit. In the last 10 years , the team has displayed skill and professionalism of the IAF, earned laurels for the country of foreign lands and enthralled spectators during national and international air shows. The journey also gave an opportunity to the team to contribute immensely in innumerable search and rescue missions apart from two major disaster and flood relief operations.
IAF’s Operation Rahat has been the world’s largest heliborne rescue operation carried out by any Air Force. During the Uttarkhand and Himachal floods of Jun 13, the Helicopters rescued more than 21000 civilians apart from dropping food and relief material amounting to about 400 tonnes. Op Rahat was carried out from Dehradun, Gauchar, Dharasu, Pithoragarh and Joshimath. This operation was an excellent display of strength, synergy, quick, response and dedication of the men in blue. Sarang team was also summoned to contribute its bit and was entrusted with operationalising and operating from a disused Advance Landing Ground at Gauchar Airfield in Dehradun.
About 1000 civilians were rescued and 11, 600 Kg of relief material was dropped by our team in the Kedarnath valley.
Advance light Helicopter or Dhruv, as it is called, is indigenous helicopter manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Commissioned into service in the year 2002 and has been employed in counter-insurgency ops as well.
Display flying, is all about grace and beauty. In this, the pilots have to be deliberate and they operate at relatively low speeds, stretching the ac to their limits. This deliberate attempt to remain in the visual bubble can be well understood by the fact that team files within the boundary of just three sq km and in the height band of 50 m to 140 m above ground level, operating within the speed limit of 100 to 240 KMPH.
His co pilot assists him maintaining symmetry of the formation keeps checking the engine parameters and assists the captain in maintaining correct speed, height and direction of the ac.
Team’ s maiden display at Singapore in Feb 2004 was a resounding success. The Unit also performed during Air show at Chile in June 04. It won rave reviews from the audience and the aviation industry alike. In Jan 05, Sarang participated in the AI Ain Grand Prix held in the UAE, where it enthralled the audience and was adjudged the third Best Team among all the International participants. In May 08 the team participated in the Indo-German Air show at Berlin.
During this air show, Sarang was adjudged the Best Looking Close Formation Aerobatic Team. Chancellor of Germany, Ms Angela Merkel, personally sent her compliments to the team.
In yr 2008, Sarang crossed the English Channel, for the very first time, to participate in air shows in the United Kingdom. Public displays at Waddington and Biggin Hill brought a lot of international attention to the Unit and goodwill to the IAF. The Unit also got the rare honour to be invited by RAF to perform on the occasion of the Graduation Ceremony of the trainees undergoing Jet Conversion.
The team also performed during the Royal International Air Tattoo show at RAF, Fairford on the occasion of the ninetieth anniversary of the RAF. The Queen of England along with other dignitaries witnessed the display. The hugely successful tour, culminated into a display at the world renowned Farnborough Air show and won the Unit accolades the international aviation community.
The function was attended by a host of serving and retired defence and civil dignitaries, families and school children.
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