The spectacular air show in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Dec. 1: As red and white Suryakirans scorched the deep-blue sky, tender dreams took wings with spectacular shapes forming one after another at the maiden air show in the state capital.

Sqn Ldrs V.P. Singh and P. Vig, Ranchi boys who studied at DAV, Shyamali, and now led the flying crew, stole tender hearts doing daring turns, wing-overs, loops and barrels in various nine aircraft formation.

The coordinator of the air show was Group Captain S. Ghosh, who is also from Ranchi. Wing Commander S. Bansal was the commanding officer.

Later, the group divided to carry out amazing manoeuvres like splits, level and rolling crosses, inverted runs, heart-loop et al.

The team operated between speed of 200 and 600 kmph and flew within a height band of 30 to 1,500 metres. Over 25,000 persons had assembled at the Birsa Munda Airport to witness the show.

Even traffic came to a grinding halt in the adjoining areas, as people were seen climbing out of cars and rickshaws, perched on rooftops and trees to get a glimpse of the Kiran Mk-II blazing the horizon.

For chief minister Madhu Koda, who was once denied entry to the Indian Army for his short height, felicitating the pilots this afternoon was nostalgia.

“While watching movies, I would often dream of taking the pilot’s seat, but my short height did not permit me to join the Armed Forces. Short people cannot fly very high, literally,” said Koda, adding that the tremendous public response accorded to this air show proved how the youths have been motivated to join the IAF.

“When I requested Air Vice-marshal J.S. Gandyok to organise an air show in Jharkhand every year, he asked me to send a requisition. I will be doing it tomorrow itself,” said the chief minister.

Suryakiran is used by the IAF to train fighter pilots in basic manoeuvres and weapon delivery. It was designed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in 1960. Each aircraft weighs about five tonne and is powered by an Orpheus engine that generates a thrust of 1,906 kg, which helps the aircraft to gain a speed of 780 kmph. It can also be deployed in counter insurgency operations armed with integral guns, 250 kg bombs and 68mm rockets.