The Indian Air Forces aerobatic team Surya Kiran on Saturday paid rich tributes to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died on February 19, a day before Aero India 2019, the biggest defene and aerospace exposition that began at Yelahanka Air Force Station on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.
The Surya Kiran air display was withdrawn temporarily after two of its aircraft met with mid air collision in which Wg Cdr Gandhi had died and two other pilots injured.
Today seven Surya Kiran Hawk jets took to the sky instead of usual nine, as the other two were destroyed in the crash.
The fourth day of the event, which was opened for general public witnessed huge congregation of enthusiasts that crossed the one lakh mark. The Surya Kiran team, based in Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka, enthralled the crowd with its breathtaking maneuvers after it paid tributes to Wg Cdr Gandhi in an aerial design.
The ace pilot flying Surya Kiran aircraft 7, was killed in the mishap. This led to the IAF suspend the Surya Kiran show on the first three days of the event. But as it did not wanted to leave the thousands of Aero India enthusiasts, it flew the remaining seven aircraft which conducted all maneuvers to thrill the large crowd.
The IAF announcer paid full tributes to Wg Cdr Gandhi saying, He was a member of the resurrected Surya Kiran Team. As a founding member, he will always be our wing-man and he will be remembered eternally.’’
The Surya Kiran aerobatic team flew in a complete diamond formation to pay tribute to Wg Cdr Sahil Gandhi. (UNI)
