Aircraft
Suryakiran operates 16 HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircraft. The HJT-16 MK.2 is the basic armament trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force, and is used for intermediate flight and weapons training. The aircraft is also effective in reconnaissance and counter insurgency operations. The aircraft used by the team are painted in a "day-glo orange" and white colour scheme.
A particular difficulty faced by the team was the side-by-side seating arrangement in the Kiran cockpits. The members flying to the left of the leader have to fly from the right seat, whereas the left seat is the master seat. Therefore some aircraft have been modified to fly solo from the right seat. In unmodified aircraft, the pilot flying on the left of the leader has to fly in two pilot configuration.
The two inboard drop tanks of Suryakiran Kiran Mk.2 aircraft have been modified to carry colour dye for generating smoke. Diesel is used for generating white smoke and coloured dye is mixed with diesel to generate coloured smoke. Because of the smoke modification, only the two outboard drop tanks can be used to carry fuel, which gives Suryakiran aircraft a maximum ferry range of 280 nm. For displays, Suryakiran aircraft fly only with two inboard drop tanks, which carry dye for smoke generation.
The first public formation display was over Air Force Administrative College, Red Fields, Coimbatore during their Golden Jubilee in September 96 followed by Aero India 96. The 5 BRD, AF the Base Repair Depot adjacent to Air Force Administrative College was instrumental in modification of Kiran Mk II, HJT 16 aircraft with this smoke emission and trials in house.
In 2011, all the aircraft of the team were re-deployed for pilot training duties due to the shortage of trainer aircraft and the SKAT was grounded. The IAF has ordered 20 more BAE Systems Hawk Mk. 132 aircraft for the Surya Kiran which are solely to be used for aerobatics display purposes. This will also help to give a modern feel to the team.
Read more about this topic: Surya Kiran