Bangalore Air Show | Events, Tickets, Activities, Things to Know
I know it’s late to share this as it’s been almost a year that I went to the Bengaluru Air Show 2017. And as I am writing about the events and places you can visit while in Bengaluru I came up with this from my archive. The event is held every 2 years, so there are almost 14-15 months left for the next time it will be held.
Bengaluru Aero India
This was the 11th edition of the Bengaluru Aero India 2017 to be held at the Yelahanka, Air Force Station. More than 700 Global and Indian Companies were taking part in the show. All the arrangements are taken care of by Air India. It is held for 4-5 days, which ends after the weekend the time when it is crowded the most with Bangaloreans. I too was part of that crowd this Saturday to watch those jets and helicopter pilots tear the sky. This is my second Airshow as I have been to one long back on the Air Force Day in Ghaziabad.
The different types of aircraft that were used this year included – LCA Tejas, Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Upgraded Jaguar, Upgraded Mirage 2000, Upgraded Hawk Mk132 (Hawk-i), Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), Sukhoi Su-30MKI, PC-7 Mk II, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen-E. I don’t have the pictures of all of the aircrafts but watch the video I made on my visit to the Bengaluru Aero India 2017 By Air India.
The Day Has Come For Bangalore Air Show
I started early as I knew with so many people gathering at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka for the Air Show. It wouldn’t be that easy for you to reach there, but we met some traffic only when we were around 2 km from the entrance of the place. It was a task to reach the entrance to the place once I got down my cab. As nothing was mentioned properly in the directions you need to go for the ticket I was holding. Finally, after enquiring around about such a big show I started my walk of about 2 km to reach the fenced area.
The Never-Ending Queue
Where you will be needed to show your Identity Proof and then the ticket to enter the main gates. With so much crowd around the show started in the second queue for the security check. I saw 2-3 aircraft with one having the Tri-Color smoke coming out of its tail. Then there was a Jet swooshing around the place with the crowd cheering them up with claps. Again a group of planes showed up as I entered the gates.
The Show Has Just Begun
The announcer gave details on the aircraft which would come next and also the pilot who would be flying that. There are no seating arrangements, but a fenced area for the people to remain at a safe distance and watch the aircraft taking off. They also had this projector which gave a closer look at the aircrafts out in the sky.
Hats off to the coordinations maintained by the pilots in the air as some crossed the others with almost no gaps. Later, a group of helicopters joined the show with stunts you don’t even want to blink your eyes at. The show was stopped with the last jet taking off in the air for an hour.
The Arrangements and Air Museum
I had an hour, so I went towards the food court which was huge with so many vendors out there. I grabbed a quick snack as I wanted to visit the museum too before the show would have started again. The museum had replicas of the different aircraft which we were finally able to recognize as we saw them in the air.
They also had this shop managed by the AIR FORCE WIVES WELFARE ASSOCIATION where you could buy some stuff. Nothing related to the Air Show but home products and toys.
The Show Was Resumed
The Show was resumed with the wind blowing around making it tough for you to stand with all the dust around. A helicopter was up first with a jeep tied to it showcasing the strength of the aircraft used in Air India.
Many more jets and this fighter helicopter were showcased later. And the show was almost about to end when we saw these yellow sport planes. With people on the sides of the plane sitting and performing stunts which were just amazing. The show ended with more helicopters coming in a group from the sides.
I took the normal pass which allowed me to just watch the Air Show. But if you take the other one paying some more will be allowed to the exhibition center where you can see the aircraft more closely.
So that was the day at AIR FORCE INDIA, Yelahanka. For someone who has never been to an Airshow, you will just love it. So don’t miss the next time it’s happening and also will see me there at least on one of the days of the show.
See you guys in the next one 🙂