BENGALURU: Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi ’s demise cast a pall on the opening day of Aero India on Wednesday. Gandhi, part of the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), died after a mid-air collision with another plane of the team on Tuesday.Three IAF aircraft — Tejas, Su-30 MKI and the Jaguar — flew in the ‘missing man’ formation at the customary flypast on Wednesday, performing an aerial salute to the departed Wing Commander. Such a formation is usually flown during the funeral of a pilot.Minutes after the three aircraft flew past the viewing area, a voice from a roaring Rafale — which was relayed over the public address system — said: “Namaste India. This is for you Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi.” French pilot Captain Nativel dedicated his performance to Gandhi as did the Sarangs.Prior to that, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy paid tribute to Gandhi in his address. “At the outset, I would like to offer my tributes to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who unfortunately died in a mid-air crash yesterday... My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. I wish and hope utmost precaution is taken to avoid such incidents in future.”Kumaraswamy also pointed out various policies that the state government has put in place to encourage defence and aerospace industries.Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while acknowledging Karnataka’s contributions to the sector, said the state makes significant contribution even to the country’s GDP through the tertiary sector.“But when it comes to manufacturing, we need more.”<doc-sep>The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday conducted a memorial fly-past at the Yelahanka air base for Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, a day after the fighter pilot was killed in a mid-air collision between two British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers while practising aerobatic manoeuvres for the five-day Aero India-2019. Three IAF fighter jets — a Sukhoi-30 fighter flanked by a Jaguar and a Tejas light combat aircraft — flew the time-honoured “missing man” formation to honour Gandhi at the inaugural fly-past of Asia’s biggest air show. “The formation pays tribute to the fallen pilot. If he was alive, he would have been flying too in the finger four formation,” said former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Major. Gandhi, 37, was part of the IAF’s renowned Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), which consists of the country’s finest pilots trained to perform complex stunts. Two other pilots injured in the twin Hawk crash - Wing Commander VT Shelke and Squadron Leader TJ Singh - are recuperating in an IAF hospital. A Rafale aircraft of the French air force also made a low pass during the flying display as a mark of respect to Gandhi, who hailed from Haryana’s Hisar. A radio call given by the French pilot announcing this was broadcast over the PA system on the ground. Captain Nativel Babouc, who flew the Rafale in a low pass to honour Gandhi, said, “It was my way to pay homage to the fallen pilot. We fighter pilots are one big family no matter which country we come from.” IAF chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said it was too early to say what went wrong and only an investigation would reveal the cause of the accident. The jets were in a mirror manoeuvre – one flying inverted above the other – seconds before the collision that has become the major talking point at the 12th edition of the air show. While SKAT is not taking part in the air show any longer because IAF wants to pinpoint the reasons for the accident, the display team’s Hawks were seen parked outside an apron near the main runway of the air base. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared the air show open, asserting that it intended to put India on the global map as “a runway to a billion opportunities”. The IAF’s Sarang helicopter display team performed a string of breathtaking manoeuvres amid cheers and applause from the spectators, including ministers from foreign countries, and top military officials including the three service chiefs. Another highlight of the biennial show was a fly-by performed by a B-52 Stratofortress bomber that came from the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Of the seven fighter jets competing for an Indian programme to build 114 planes locally under the strategic partnership (SP) model, only Rafales, F-18s and F-16s were part of the flying display.<doc-sep>IAF’s Surya Kiran team pays tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi at Aero India 2019 The Surya Kiran team, with 7 aircraft, took to the skies on the fourth day of the Aero India 2019 air show being held in Bengaluru. news Aero India 2019 Days after a tragic accident involving the two aircraft of the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team, which killed one pilot, the team took to the skies on Saturday - the fourth day of the Aero India 2019 being held in Bengaluru. The audience at the event stood in silence as the team of seven aircraft – two aircraft lesser than its usual strength – flew in an arrow formation and a missing man formation to mourn their fallen pilot. Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who flew as Surya Kiran 7, was killed in the mishap that took place on February 19. When the team was moving out of the hangar, an announcement was made that the team’s performance on Saturday will be a tribute to Gandhi. “He was a member of the resurrected Surya Kiran team. As a founding member, he will always be our wingman and he will be remembered eternally,” the announcer added. #WATCH IAF's SuryaKiran aerobatic team at #AeroIndia2019 flies in incomplete diamond formation to pay tribute to Wg Cdr Sahil Gandhi, who died on 19 Feb in mid-air collision b/w 2 Hawk trainer jets of SuryaKiran aerobatic team while rehearsing for the show. pic.twitter.com/MTQrPm39ME — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2019 On Tuesday morning, around 11.50 am, the two aircraft crashed resulting in the death of one pilot during a final rehearsal put together by the Bidar Air Force Station, which was practising for its final event which was to be held on Wednesday. The wing of one aircraft reportedly hit the other during the rehearsal, which led to the mishap. While Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi was killed in the accident, other two pilots, team 2IC Wing Commander Vijay Shelke and Squadron Leader Tejeshwar Singh had managed to eject out of the aircraft. They were taken to Command Hospital in Bengaluru and administered treatment. The mishap had taken place a day before the Aero India event began and the team, which was supposed to participate on the first day, had then stated that all displays except for Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team will continue as listed in the program on the first day.<doc-sep>
Tributes paid to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi at first day of AeroIndia 2019 Three aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) - Tejas, Su-30 Mki and the Jaguar â€” flew in the 'missing man' formation on Wednesday as a tribute to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi who died after a mid-air collision on Tuesday. news Aero India A special formation flypast by Indian jets and tributes from foreign pilots marked the opening day of the 12th edition of AeroIndia 2019, Asia's largest air show, held in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The show was held at the Airforce Station in Yelahanka, in the wake of the tragic demise of Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who was part of the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT). He died after a mid-air collision with another plane from the team while rehearsing for the airshow on Tuesday. Three aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) - Tejas, Su-30 Mki and the Jaguar â€” flew in the 'missing man' formation on Wednesday as a tribute to Sahil Gandhi. The Sarang Helicopter Display team dedicated their performances to the pilot, and in the midst of showcasing Rafale's air power, its French Air Force pilot Captain Nativel also paid tribute to Sahil Gandhi. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also mourned the loss of Sahil Gandhi during his address. "At the outset, I would like to offer my tributes to Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who unfortunately died in a mid-air crash yesterday. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. I wish and hope utmost precaution is taken to avoid such incidents in future", he said as per Times of India. The air show is expected to draw thousands of people during the last two days when it is open to the general public. The air show has 403 Indian and foreign exhibitors, which is less than the 650 exhibitors who took part in the 2015 edition. Defence officials cited the lack of clarity over the venue as one of the reasons for the drop, reported The Hindu. The air show has been held in Bengaluru ever since its inception in 1996 Read: 'Flying is risky, but we are trained and resilient': IAF's Sarang team aerobats to TNM