Adux
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The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) being developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) could replace the Kiran Mark-II jets of the Suryakirans, the aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) that performed over Shanghumughom on Wednesday.
Suryakiran team leader Wing Commander Sandeep Bansal, told The Hindu that the Kiran MK-II jets inducted in the 1970s were still in excellent condition and could serve the team for another "eight to 10 years". He said the machines were well maintained and its "airframe life" was high. It was impossible to a set a date for the possible replacement of the aircraft.
The first prototype of the IJT, "Sitara", was flown in March 7, 2003. A Russian engine powers the two-seater aircraft. The plane has an appreciable thrust-to-weight ratio and could achieve a maximum speed of 750 km/hr.
Mr. Bansal said the team had come close to danger many times during training sorties. "We have had instances where the wing tips of the aircraft have scraped each other in flight", he said. Momentary lapse of concentration could result in such close calls. He said the British and Canadian Air Force teams, often compared with the Suryakirans for their similar nine aircraft aerobatic formations, had advanced planes with better "roll" and "climb" rates. Mr. Bansal, who is a Mirage-2000 fighter pilot, said for some time the IAF's Mirage fleet had maintained a three- aircraft aerobatic team named the Mirage Aerobatic Team (MAT).
Earlier, the Suryakirans and the "Sarang" helicopter aerobatic teams performed over the Shanghumughom beach. The "Akash Ganga" skydiving team led by Squadron Leader D. S. Sharma, followed them.
After touch down, the Suryakiran and Sarang pilots grouped separately for a "hot debrief" and analysis of their performance. IAF video recordings of the display aided the teams. Squadron Leader A. Raj Thakur said the Suryakirans had come only as low as 100 m while performing over Shanghumughom. He said the lack of visual reference points on the seaboard dissuaded the team from performing lower. "Flying over water, you do not know how low or high you are", he said. Mr. Thakur, who is the second man for Synchro Leader J. Cruz, said over land the high velocity air stunts of the "Synchro Pair" could be executed at 30 m. Low flying appeals better visually, he said.
When performing over sea, it is mandatory for the pilots to wear the standard "Mae West" life jackets over their flying suits. The team spent up to 25 minutes strapped to their cockpit seats to check all systems before taking off. "It was truly hot inside the cockpit today," a pilot commenting on the weather said. The Suryakirans will leave for Chennai on Thursday.
http://www.idrw.org/2007/04/19/suryakirans_may_get_new_jets.html
Suryakiran team leader Wing Commander Sandeep Bansal, told The Hindu that the Kiran MK-II jets inducted in the 1970s were still in excellent condition and could serve the team for another "eight to 10 years". He said the machines were well maintained and its "airframe life" was high. It was impossible to a set a date for the possible replacement of the aircraft.
The first prototype of the IJT, "Sitara", was flown in March 7, 2003. A Russian engine powers the two-seater aircraft. The plane has an appreciable thrust-to-weight ratio and could achieve a maximum speed of 750 km/hr.
Mr. Bansal said the team had come close to danger many times during training sorties. "We have had instances where the wing tips of the aircraft have scraped each other in flight", he said. Momentary lapse of concentration could result in such close calls. He said the British and Canadian Air Force teams, often compared with the Suryakirans for their similar nine aircraft aerobatic formations, had advanced planes with better "roll" and "climb" rates. Mr. Bansal, who is a Mirage-2000 fighter pilot, said for some time the IAF's Mirage fleet had maintained a three- aircraft aerobatic team named the Mirage Aerobatic Team (MAT).
Earlier, the Suryakirans and the "Sarang" helicopter aerobatic teams performed over the Shanghumughom beach. The "Akash Ganga" skydiving team led by Squadron Leader D. S. Sharma, followed them.
After touch down, the Suryakiran and Sarang pilots grouped separately for a "hot debrief" and analysis of their performance. IAF video recordings of the display aided the teams. Squadron Leader A. Raj Thakur said the Suryakirans had come only as low as 100 m while performing over Shanghumughom. He said the lack of visual reference points on the seaboard dissuaded the team from performing lower. "Flying over water, you do not know how low or high you are", he said. Mr. Thakur, who is the second man for Synchro Leader J. Cruz, said over land the high velocity air stunts of the "Synchro Pair" could be executed at 30 m. Low flying appeals better visually, he said.
When performing over sea, it is mandatory for the pilots to wear the standard "Mae West" life jackets over their flying suits. The team spent up to 25 minutes strapped to their cockpit seats to check all systems before taking off. "It was truly hot inside the cockpit today," a pilot commenting on the weather said. The Suryakirans will leave for Chennai on Thursday.
http://www.idrw.org/2007/04/19/suryakirans_may_get_new_jets.html
