Surya Kiran

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The Surya Kiran team performing at the Aero India 2007.

Heart In the Sky with a Red arrow through it.

Surya Kiran (literally meaning, Sun Rays), is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Air Force, successors to the Thunderbolts. The squadron is primarily composed of the indigenously manufactured fighter, the Kiran Mk II, and they're based at the Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka. The Indian Air Force has placed an order for 16 HJT-36 that will replace the Kiran MK II.

[edit] Trivia

Surya Kiran predecessors: the Thunderbolts
The most famous and loved maneuver of the Surya Kirans - THE HEART IN THE SKY.
The Genesis of the 'Suryakiran Aerobatic team' in the IAF can be traced back to the golden jubilee year of the IAF that is in 1982, when 'The Thunderbolts' a nine aircraft aerobatic team was formed. This team flew the 'Hunter' aircraft (Also flown by 'The Black Arrows' of the Royal Air Force). The thunderbolts gave their last display in 1989. After a gap of 7 years, the Suryakiran team was formed in 1996, with Wg Cdr Murgai as the first team leader. Today the team is one of the three renowned nine aircraft aerobatic teams in the world.
The 'Suryakirans' fly the Kiran MK-II aircraft (HJT-16).It is the Basic armament trainer of the Indian Air Force. The aircraft is very effective in Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency operations and also Flight and Armament testing.
The present 'Suryakiran team' is led by Wg Cdr Sandeep Bansal (A2 QFI) a veteran of the Mirage 2000H aircraft. The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is presently 52 Squadron, Air force ('The Sharks'). The motto of the Sqn is "Always the Best".
All the pilots in the team are QFI's (Qualified flying instructors) with around 2000hrs of fighter flying experience. Only pilots from the fighter stream can compete for a position in the team. The SKAT is unique in the way that the CO/Team leader is the leader of the formation and hence a part of all the display sorties. The team leader has the opportunity of selecting his future team pilots after subjecting them to grueling flight trials and tests.
The CO/Team leader is ably assisted by the Flt Cdr (who takes care of all the OPS planning) and the SEO (who ensures maintenance and serviceability). The team also comprises an administrator/commentator who acts as the voice of the team during the displays. the team administrator is responsible for all adm actions and for engaging the audience during the display.
The SKAT is based at AF Stn Bidar, AF. The AOC of AFS Bidar serves as the guardian for the Squadron when it is at base or on detachment/display tour. The present Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Bidar is Air Cmde JS Dhillon, M in D.
The SKAT serves as the 'Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force' displaying the professionalism of the Indian Air Force.
The team's performance at Asian Aerospace 2004 - Singapore was one of the crowning moments in the teams history. The team's display of precision aerobatic flying won the hearts of all the people.
The squadron's ability to perform 12 aircraft detachments at Air Force and civil bases using only 50 odd technical manpower has been one of the hallmarks of the team. The technical manpower's vigor and josh in performing the detachment operations and ensuring 100% serviceability is one of the remarkable features of the team.