Pictures: Aero India 2019 opens with missing man flypast, B-52, A330neo and more

February 20, 2019 Comments Off on Pictures: Aero India 2019 opens with missing man flypast, B-52, A330neo and more 1,242 Views

Aero India 2019 opened today at Yelahanka Air Force Station. The show which was inaugurated by the defence minister of India began with a series of flypasts, one of which was a missing man formation to commemorate Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, the pilot who lost his life in the Surya Kiran crash yesterday.

The missing man formation, flown by three aircraft of the Indian Air Force - a HAL Tejas, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Sepecat Jaguar. Observe the gap between the Sukhoi and Jaguar signifying the missing pilot.
The missing man formation, flown by three aircraft of the Indian Air Force – a HAL Tejas, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Sepecat Jaguar. Observe the gap between the Sukhoi and Jaguar signifying the missing pilot.

Innugural Flypast

The show began with a series of helicopter formation flypasts.

Three HAL Rudra's (ALH WSI) flying in formation at Aero India 2019.
Three HAL Rudra’s (ALH WSI) flying in formation at Aero India 2019.

The flypasts continued with various formations of aircraft.

The Douglas DC-3 Dakota of the Indian Air Force Vintage Squadron.
The Douglas DC-3 Dakota of the Indian Air Force Vintage Squadron.
The BAE Hawk-i, HAL HTT-40 basic trainer and Dornier Do-228 of HAL.

Sukhoi Su-30 MKI flying with the HAL Tejas (LCA) at Aero India 2019.
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI flying with the HAL Tejas (LCA) at Aero India 2019.
The NAL Saras.
An Indian Air Force HAL HS748 at Aero India 2019.
An Indian Air Force HAL HS748 at Aero India 2019.
Indian Air Force Embraer EMB-145 AWEC-S with a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI.
Indian Air Force Embraer EMB-145 AWEC-S with a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI.
Indian Air Force Mig-21 CU2820.
Indian Air Force Mig-21 CU2820.
Completing the first set of flypasts was the Indian Navy Boeing P-8I.
Completing the first set of flypasts was the Indian Navy Boeing P-8I.

Airbus A330neo

The Airbus A330neo performed a series of flypasts. The aircraft on display is F-WTTN an A330-900neo.

USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

A special appearance was a single flypast by a United States Air Force B-52 from the 23rd Bomb Squadron based at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

Displays

The flypasts were followed by individual displays by the Saarang aerobatic team, HAL Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter, IAF Sukhoi Su-30, Tejas, French Air Force Dassault Rafale and USAF Lockheed Martin F-16.

The Indian Air Force Saarang Display team which uses four HAL Dhruvs.
The Indian Air Force Saarang Display team which uses four HAL Dhruvs.
The French Air Force Dassault Rafale takes off for its display.
The French Air Force Dassault Rafale takes off for its display.
Lockheed Martin F-16 Falcon of the United States Air Force (USAF) lands after its display.
Lockheed Martin F-16 Falcon of the United States Air Force (USAF) lands after its display.
Portuguese Air Force CASA C295.

What are you looking forward to seeing at Aero India 2019, leave us a comment below.

All photos are the copyright of Vedant Agarwal. Do not reproduce in any form without written permission.

About Vedant Agarwal

A frequent flyer for both work and pleasure - Vedant has held elite status on many of the major alliances and airlines. Also an avid aviation photographer, his pictures have been published in and on the covers of many international publications.

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