Full-dress rehearsal on Oct. 18; main public display on Oct. 19

Mysuru: Mysuru is set to witness aerial displays by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team at Bannimantap Parade Grounds on Oct. 18 and 19.

Ahead of the show, nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft flew over the city this morning as part of mapping and rehearsal exercises.

The team also installed Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) communication systems to enable secure, line-of-sight radio communication between aircraft, ground teams and control stations.

The systems help pilots and crew coordinate with each other and support teams, ensuring smooth communication during complex manoeuvres, rehearsals and live displays. The Air Show is scheduled for 10 am on both days.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Squadron Leader V. Vikram, a team pilot and Squadron Leader Sharad Goel, team commentator, said an advance team had arrived at the venue to conduct reconnaissance and make preparations for the show.

“The mapping sortie helps pilots familiarise themselves with local landmarks and the performance area. The full-dress rehearsal on Oct. 18 will be open to spectators, while the main public display will be held on Oct. 19, with the jets leaving saffron, white and green smoke trails across the sky,” they said.

The team also hopes to inspire youngsters to consider a career in the Armed Forces. “We serve as ambassadors of the Indian Air Force and aim to use the platform provided by Yuva Dasara and Dasara to inspire young minds and local youth to join the Armed Forces,” they added.

Flying red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 jets built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the team will perform loops, barrel rolls, inverted flights, the famous ‘DNA manoeuvre’ and close formations, with aircraft flying less than five metres apart.

The jets will also create saffron, white and green smoke trails using indigenous smoke pods developed at the IAF’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik.

13 pilots to take part

The display will feature 13 pilots, led by Group Captain Ajay Dasharathi and Wing Commander T. Singh, with support from Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Wing Commander Sanjay Shio Rain and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma.

The team’s Squadron Leaders are Vishnu, Rahul Singh, Sanjesh Singh, Aman Goel, Divakar Sharma, Gaurav Patel, Edward Prince, Lalit Verma, Vikram, Tushar Sharma and Bhavesh Sharma.

Squadron Leader Sharad Goel will provide live commentary, while Flight Lieutenant Adarsh will serve as the team’s medical officer.

Drone ban

Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar has declared a ‘Red Zone’ within a 10-nautical-mile radius of Bannimantap Parade Grounds to ensure safety during the Air Show.

Drone flights are prohibited in the designated area from Oct. 17 to 19 between 10 am and 1 pm. Unauthorised drone operations will invite legal action.