Aero India 2015: Sukhois are the best, say display pilots
Bengaluru, Feb 21: The ground crew was readying a mighty Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI) at the northern side of the runway at AFS Yelahanka when OneIndia was invited for an interaction with the display team.
"We have an early slot during post-lunch display," said Flight Lieutenant Navjot Singh. Along with him are Wing Commander A N Karulkar (Commanding Officer), Wing Commander C U V Rao and Flight Lieutenant Prashant Sharma.
The Sukhois have been topping the showstoppers' list during every air shows and this time to it was no different.
The loop, tumble, yaw, tail slide, minimum radius turns, rolls, high and low speed runs are some of the sky stunts being executed by the Sukhoi flying display team.
"My favourite combination is the one which has the loop, tumble and yaw together. You have to make quick turns on the aircraft," says Navjot. However, for Prashant the yaw is the favorite number.
"The Sukhoi is the only fighter in the world which is capable of doing the yaw," he added.
When asked whether as a pilot he is aware of the responses being made by the people watching the displays, Navjot said: "Not even once. We are focused on the job and have no clue what the people are doing. Our job is to fly safe," Navjot said.
He says most of the manoeuvres are also used in operations. "It's all part of our training pattern," he added.
At Aero India, the Sukhois are allotted two slots (10 minute in each in the morning and evening).
"This
is
the
first
time
I
am
performing
at
Aero
India
and
I
am
really
happy
to
have
come
to
Bangalore.
I
love
the
weather
and
even
the
Air
Force
Station
has
inspired
me.
Sukhois
ate
the
best
--
my
all-time
favourite.
It
was
my
dream
to
be
in
a
Sukhoi
squadron
and
I
am
happy
I
achieved
it,"
Navjot
added.
Photos:
A
Veeramani
Oneindia News