Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team To Dazzle Hyderabad Skies With Precision Air Show
Surya Kiran aerobatic team to perform over Hyderabad skies.
The skies over Hyderabad are set to be illuminated this week as the Indian Air Force’s elite Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) prepares to return with its signature high-precision aerial display, featuring synchronized manoeuvres performed at high speed and close formation. The performances will be part of the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on June 11 and June 13.
The aerobatic showcase is part of SKAT’s continuing legacy as one of the most recognised display teams of the Indian Air Force, coming shortly after the unit marked its 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the team has built a reputation for precision flying, discipline, and complex formation choreography executed in demanding flight conditions.
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The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, often referred to as the “Ambassadors in the Sky,” operates a fleet of nine Hawk Mk 132 trainer aircraft and comprises 12 pilots. The team is currently led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, a seasoned Su-30 MKI pilot, and is known for flying in extremely tight formations with aircraft separation of as little as five metres.
The upcoming display will feature a range of advanced manoeuvres, including cross-overs, close-trail loops, barrel rolls, and inverted passes. These formations demand precise coordination between pilots, with split-second timing required to maintain alignment while performing high-G aerial transitions.
Among SKAT’s most recognisable formations are the Tejas, Yuva, and Heart formations, along with its signature “DNA Tricolour Formation,” which is widely associated with the team’s public performances. These sequences are designed to combine technical complexity with visual appeal for spectators on the ground.
Established in 1996 and based at Air Force Station Bidar in Karnataka, SKAT is the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and one of the few such teams globally. Over the years, it has conducted more than 800 aerial displays across 72 cities and represented India at international air shows in countries including Singapore, the UAE, Laos, Sri Lanka, China, and Myanmar.
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