Delhi fog may force IAF to cancel R-Day flypast

New Delhi: IAF plans to put up a grand flypast of 28 warplanes during this year's Republic Day parade but is keeping its fingers crossed as it fears that the notorious Delhi fog could play a spoilsport.
"Fog is a recurrent feature in this season. So, if the weather is bad, there are certain limitations clearly laid down. If it is below the minimum mast, obviously the flying won't happen," IAF's Vice Chief (Space) Air Vice Marshal M Matheswaran told reporters here today.
However, he said flight safety would not be compromised. "So, only if the weather permits, everything will go as planned. In different weather patterns, some formations will be watered down," Matheswaran said, to a specific query in this regard.
IAF officers said the Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) built on an IL-76 platform, called the 'eye in the sky', would be participating in the flypast during Republic Day for the first time. The IAF would also bring in its Sukhoi, MiG-29, Jaguar and IL-78 tanker, AN-32 and Dornier transport aircraft to the flypast this year, besides four Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruvs of the Army Aviation Corps.
19/01/10 Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2010