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ACIG Exclusives
Chapter 19 : Sarang |
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| Flying the HAL Dhruv, the 'Sarang' (Peacock) are one of the world's few Helibatics teams and certainly the most prolific, despite their young age. Conceived in June 2003, the team is a part of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the IAF. Although starting off with a leading 11,790 points, the Sarang were eventually ranked third among the ten international aerobatic teams which participated in the 21st FAI Grand Prix at the Al Ain airshow in the UAE. The team has performed at one or two local airshows in India, at UAE and Singapore and at Chile where the typed logged 107 hrs, but never before at Aero India. At the latter, they had effectively replaced the Mirage Aerobatic team whose performance, despite being fantastic, was slightly redundant with the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team. It's a pity that one could'nt get to see both the Sarang and the Mirages perform. The Sarang are : Wing Cdr Hari Nair (Team Leader), Flt Lt AS Abhayankar, Flt Lt Nikhil Naidu, Sqn Ldr Suji Nair, Flt Lt Shailendra Pandey, Sqn Ldr Benny Mathews and Sqn Ldr Saurabh Deokuliar (Engg. officer) | |
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The Sarang have actually overtaken the Surya Kirans in terms of popularity. Currently operating three HAL Dhruvs, the strength is to eventually increase to five helicopters. At present, the rest are kept as backup. The IAF is extremely proud of the Sarang and for good reason. |
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All initial deliveries of the IAF variant of the Dhruv, went to the Sarang. (J-4041, J-4042, J-4043, J-4044, J-4045 and J-4046) |
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Credit to HAL for the stunning paintscheme on the Dhruv. The aerial display is performed to the tune of Mozart's 40th symphony, although nothing of the same could be heard out here. |
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Breakaway after a short formation flight. The Sarang rehearse in up to 10 practice sessions per week, flying to the defence airfield at Kolar, near Bangalore. The routine starts at 7:30 AM and goes on till 2:30 PM. Each sessions is recorded on video for post-flight analysis. |
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The Dhruv prepares to fly backwards. Maneuvering a helicopter for an aerial display is much more difficult than doing the same with a fixed wing aircraft. |
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The Air Force variant of the Dhruv, is primarily for utility duties. The IAF is expected to take delivery of both skid versions and variants with a fixed undercarriage and an increased MTOW of 5750 kg. |
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Most pilots of the Sarang team, have had extensive experience in flying over the Siachin glacier and Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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While in Chile, Dhruvs flew from Santiago, Arica, La Copiapo, past Mt.Ancagua, Naval warships and hill tops at altitudes of 15,000 feet. |
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Many of the intense moves are facilitated by the Dhruv's hingeless fibre rotors which have a 13.7 % offset flapping hinge. |
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Military versions of the Dhruv have a fuel dump system whereas the civilian variant lacks this feature. |
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Each session would always start and end with a tandem formation flight. Although a part of the ASTE which is located at Bangalore's HAL Airport, the Sarang are mostly based at the separate HAL Helicopter division. |
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What happens next? |
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The Dhruv's sustained turn rate has been cleared as 60°/sec at 20,000 feet, although an STRs of 90°/sec have been achieved during tests. Wheeled Dhruv variants have also been painted in Saarang colors but are not seen here. |
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Time for some cross-overs. |
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Like all Dhruvs at the show, the Sarang have to retire to HAL's Helicopter division at the end of each day. |
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