In an interview with SP’s Aviation, Wing Commander Manjit Singh Sidhu, Commanding Officer, Sarang Team, spoke about the specialised training imparted to Sarang pilots. Excerpts of the interview:

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): Sarang flying display team represents total synergy between high level of human skill and ultimate machine performance. What are Sarang’s motto, strengths and ethos?

Wing Commander Manjit Singh Sidhu (Sidhu): The Sarang’s motto is: “But for the rotors, we would have been closer” and the national bird printed on the aircraft indicates camaraderie, team spirit and professional outlook.

SP’s: How do you identify and recruit team members of Sarang?

Sidhu: Helicopter pilots after gaining good flying experience, volunteer for the selection, for which the pilot is duly recommended by his Commanding Officer. They are then put through a rigorous testing procedure for two weeks. In this period, they are evaluated for professional knowledge, flying skills, and metal aptitude. Thereafter, they are recruited as per their ranking in the merit.

SP’s: Flying display by Sarang clearly entails considerable practice and patience to achieve perfection. How do you go about training the team to put up flawless performance? How much time does it take to fully qualify a pilot as a member of the team?

Sidhu: The pilot is made to undergo the conversion syllabus. After gaining some experience in the basic handling of the aircraft, he is inducted for the specialised training in formation flying. After clearing this stage, he is trained as an observer and safety officer so that the entire display profile is imprinted in his mind and he fully understands the intricacies of the manoeuvres. He is then made to fly in a particular position as the co-pilot, so as to gain first-hand experience of the techniques involved and to learn the application of his knowledge obtained as the observer. After this stage, he is trained to execute the manoeuvres peculiar and unique to his position. Once he satisfactorily passes these stages, only then he is trained and cleared to fly as the display captain. This entire training schedule takes about a year.

SP’s: What in your view have been the major achievements of the Sarang team so far?

Sidhu: The Sarang team is the pride of the Air Force and the nation in the international forum. It has achieved rare accolades globally. It won the best close formation team at Berlin and the best helicopter display team at Al-Ain. It has successfully conducted displays in the entire country and by its professionalism has succeeded in motivating the youth to join the Air Force.

SP’s: Is the Dhruv helicopter an ideal machine for such flying displays?

Sidhu: The Dhruv with its high manoeuvarability and light weight is one of the ideal machines for such highly aerobatic display flying.

SP’s: In what way does the displays by Sarang, project the operational attributes and potential of the Dhruv?

Sidhu: The Sarang displays the skill of the pilots and coordination of the team. The capability of the helicopter wherein the extreme manoeuvarability, high agility, quick response and power of the machine is at its best; is shown during the display.