Lucknow: The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed its first air show in Meerut on Saturday, with nine Hawk Mk-132 jets carrying out formations and aerobatic manoeuvres before thousands of spectators at the New Integrated Township in Mohiuddinpur.The aircraft took off from Hindon Air Base and reached Meerut around 10.25am. The display included V-shaped formations, loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the team’s DNA manoeuvre. The jets also released saffron, white and green smoke trails during the performance.Students from several schools, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers were among those who attended the show. People had begun arriving at the venue from around 7.30am.Three Squadron Leaders from Meerut were also associated with the display. Squadron Leaders Aman Goyal and Rahul Singh flew during the aerobatic performance, while Squadron Leader Sharad Goyal coordinated the display from the ground, according to organisers.Suryakiran, formed in 1996, is the IAF’s aerobatic display team and is part of 52 Squadron. The team has 13 pilots, with nine aircraft participating in its formation displays.Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Vajpayee said a proposal for the Meerut air show was submitted on May 13 and received approval on Sep 8.The district administration made traffic, parking, drinking water and security arrangements for the event. Authorities also declared a 10-nautical-mile radius around Mohiuddinpur a temporary no-flying zone until Sep 21, prohibiting drones, remotely operated aircraft, hot-air balloons and other UAVs.
