Sarang (aerobatic team)
| Sarang (aerobatic team) | |
|---|---|
|
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| Country: |
 India
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| Currently used aircraft type: | HAL Dhruv |
| Sponsor: | Indian Air Force |
| Base airfield: | Sulur Air Force Station Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu |
| Founding: | 2003 |
| Colours: | Red, white, gold, blue, yellow, dark blue |
The sarang (Sanskrit: सारंग peacock ) is the helicopter display team of the Indian Air Force . The team flies four modified HAL Dhruv helicopters, also known as ALH (Advanced Light Helicopters). The team was founded in October 2003 and the first public appearance was at the Asian Aerospace Airshow in Singapore in 2004. The name Sarang (peacock in Sanskrit) refers to the peacock symbolizing the national India. The team was assigned to the No. 151 Helicopter Unit in 2005.
history
The first demonstrations of the HAL Dhruv with two helicopters were carried out by Sqn Leader Pathania at Aero India in Bangalore in 2003 . Later in 2003, it was named Sarang and a team of three helicopters was formed. At the Singapore Air Show in 2004, the team began demonstrating with four helicopters. The team performs regularly at Aero India, a biennial air show at Yelahanka Air Force Station near Bangalore and the Indian Air Force Anniversary at Hindon Air Force Base on October 8th. It was seen at the Farnborough Airshow in 2008 . In February 2007, the team had its first fatal accident when a Dhruv crashed on Yelahanka Air Force Station during a test flight off the Aero India. Copilot Squadron Leader Priyesh Sharma was killed instantly and Pilot Wing Commander Vikas Jetly sustained severe head injuries to which he succumbed in a comatose state for nearly 4 years on January 11, 2011. The team consists of pilots.
See also
Web links
- Sarang video
- Sarang at the Asian Aerospace Show, 2004
- Indian peacocks strut their stuff, Aviation International News
- Images of the sarang
- Aero-India 2007, Sarang Helicopter Display Team, www.Bharat-Rakshak.com
- Aerobatics Aero-India 2007
- Government of India - Press Information Breau release
- "The Hindu" newspaper article: Sarang's aerial ballet
