Sarang Display Mesmerizes Spectators

When the pilots of Sarang met the spectators they were given a thundering applause. Hundreds of people were eagerly waiting to meet these jambaaz. Men, women and kids who were lucky to shake hands with the team members got surprise mementoes like stickers, key-chain, posters and other goodies from the pilots. 

Viewers and pilots both enjoyed each other’s company. People thanked pilots for their fantastic and thrilling performances during Aero India 2013. Sarang is the helicopter aerobatics display team of Indian air force and it is the only helicopter based services display team in the world. “We enjoyed the good gathering because the presence of public encouraged us to perform better to best”, said Wg Cdr R C Pathak, commanding officer of Sarang team. “We not only entertain the public but also encourage youth to join Indian Air Force in our own way”, he further added. Sarang team includes 14 pilots, 5 engineering officers and 132 technicians. “For just 12 minutes of aerobatic display, our preparations and practice start almost four hours before because safety of aircraft and men is of utmost important for us”, said Wg Cdr Vinod Negi, deputy team leader of Sarang. 

Sarang begins with entry in ‘Inverted Wine Glass’ formation. The formation then changes over to ‘Line Astern’ formation of ‘INDIA’ as it is popularly called, and Diamond formation to facilitate the viewers to get a closer look at the Helicopters. Sarang 1, 2 and 3 then turn together to perform the star manoeuvre which is unique to helicopter flying – ‘The Stall Turn’ known as the ‘Dolphin’s Leap’. The team then continually keeps the audience glued to the skies with their breathtaking manoeuvres. The next is the heart throbbing ‘Crossover Break’, followed by the ‘Arrow’. After another set of exciting manoeuvres the team then 

Regroups for its signature manoeuvre ‘The Sarang Split’ in which the four helicopter cross each other vertically and horizontally to form a knot. 

The Sarang Helicopter Display team has evolved from erstwhile ALH Evaluation Flight (AEF) formed at Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE) on March 18, 2002. After completion of the initial task of field evaluation of the ‘Advanced Light Helicopter’ (ALH), the unit was tasked with role of formation display flying to showcase the capability of the indigenously manufactured ALH and as ambassadors of the Indian Air Force. The Team Sarang has been derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘Peacock’, the Indian National bird. 

The team made its debut performance at the Asian Aerospace Air show at Singapore in February 2004. Since then, the team has performed in 35 various air shows in India as well as abroad. The team’s performance at Al Ain Aerobatic Show, UAE in 5th January earned it a reputation as one of the best display team in the world.