The Mysuru air show drew thousands of spectators to the Bannimantap Panthina Kavayathu Maidan on Monday, 20 October, as the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team performed a 20-minute display during the Dasara celebrations.
Nine aircraft entered the venue airspace at 10.57am and continued their coordinated manoeuvres until 11.17am. The performance included V formation, diamond formation, barrel roll, aero head and level-crossing displays. The aircraft also carried out coordinated flights in four directions and created saffron, white and green patterns in the sky using smoke trails.
The display was led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi and involved nine pilots. Spectators responded with whistles and applause as the aircraft flew at high speed, crossed in formation and returned in curved trajectories. Helicopter manoeuvres, including parallel movement and one helicopter entering between others, were also part of the programme.
The event followed a shortened performance on Sunday because of adverse weather. On Monday, light drizzle began shortly before the show, briefly raising concern among people at the venue. The weather cleared as the aircraft arrived, allowing the performance to proceed as planned.
Spectators began arriving at Bannimantap from 9am, and the galleries were filled. Entry was allowed after ticket checks, while a pass was mandatory for viewing the show from inside the ground. Large numbers of people also gathered along roads around Bannimantap to watch the aircraft. Police arranged security around the venue and managed access through the entry points.
Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi said the performance added to the Dasara celebrations and brought the Surya Kiran team to Mysuru as part of the festival programme. He said the team was pleased to perform in the city and believed that people had appreciated the display.
Tyagi said the team’s objectives included encouraging patriotism among young people, building interest in the armed forces and motivating more youth to join the services. The Surya Kiran team is described as one of the world’s four major aerobatic teams and the only display team in Asia with nine aircraft, according to the information shared during the event.
The team has conducted more than 800 air shows over the past 25 years, Tyagi said. Its operations involve around 150 Air Force personnel, including pilots, technical officers, a medical officer, commentators and staff responsible for aircraft maintenance and administration.
Surya Kiran team member Sharad Goyal said the favourable weather on Monday made it possible to conduct the aerial display according to plan and complete the manoeuvres successfully.
