Aero India - The 8th Edition (2011)

The 8th Edition (2011)

The 2011 edition of Aero India was held from 9 February to 13 February in Bangalore. it was said Reportedly that the Chinese aircraft will not participate in this edition, due to rising trade competition between India and China. However these claims were false and China had its representatives present there.

The highlight of the morning was the flight display in which several aircraft performed intricate manoeuvres. The Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, which flew in a formation in public view for the first time, was a key highlight. The Tejas, the smallest and lightest supersonic combat fighter aircraft in the world, drew whoops of delight as it made a vertical climb and then did a belly turn right in front of the podium. While five Jaguars flew in a V-formation, the Sukhoi 30-MKI flew in a trident formation. Boeing's F/A-18 (popularly known as the Super Hornet), the Gripen (by Saab, the Swedish aircraft maker) and the Rafale, by Dassault, the French aircraft manufacturer, also performed loops, rolls, and somersaults in the air. The aerobatic team Suryakiran did their last show with their Kiran Aircraft which are planned to be replaced by new Hawk aircraft. The aerobatic team of Czech Republic popularly known as Flying Bulls or Red Bull also performed for first time. Indian Aerospace Companies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories, Mahindra Aerospace, Taneja Aerospace (TAAL), Tata Aerospace also participated in the event.What really took the cake at the event was the performance by the Flying-Bulls.Also worth seeing were the chalets.