Aero India 2025 : A Felony Affair

This Aero India 2025, I was able to manage only one day at the show. My main attraction was the flying display Sukoi 57 , NATO codename “Felon”. Gee what a bird this is ! Puts new spin on thrust vectoring! The chief test pilot of Sukoi, Sergy Bogdan made a ballet dance of the aircraft. Stopping still and sliding back and the slow yaw and tumble were a treat to watch and, held us all in awe of the skill of Sergy and the aircraft. Ballet in the air is how I would describe the air display routine by Sergy Bogdan.

Boss man Sergy Bogdan the Chief Test Pilot of Sukoi

The other interesting thing in Aero India 2025 was a full Indian Navy Static aircraft display, The Mig 29k, the Seaking Mk42B and the MH60 were all there. And my favourite the LCA Navy.

The LCA Navy version ( still a flying prototype )

Near to far Seaking Mk 42B, Mig29 k & MH60

Seaking with a mounted machine gun

Indian Air Force C130J taking off, Yehlanka Air Force Base, Aero India 2025

The static displays had the Airbus A400 and the A330 MRTT

Airbus A400

Airbus A330 MRTT, This can be a tanker and a troop carrier, pretty nifty but for limited use cases I thought.

There were a couple of interesting stalls and one I found really interesting was an Indian company making the “Optical Landing System” for aircraft carriers. Some kind of an Infrared camera that the ship has ( three of them) which help triangulate the aircraft position and guide it to land even in zero visibility.

Then there were military folks form other countries. I love to look at the various colourful uniforms they have.

There was only one flying display on the day that I was able to go. Ideally the evening flying display would make for better light conditions.

Photo Tips ( Pretty Much same as the last time)

1. Go in early 0800H to shoot static birds
2. Plan for 2 days. Go on a business day but then that has only one 12 noon air display slot. So plan an additional general day since general days have two air display slots, morning & evening.
3. Lens choice – I used a 16-50 and a 50-250 on a Nikon Z50 DX camera and a Nikon D5 with a 500mmPF lens for the flight shots
4. For the flight shots I dialed in 4700K manual white balance. Gets you nice blue skies !
5. Use a foreground for the wider flight shots to make things interesting.
6. Must have a cap
7. Use a trolly bag for the gear if possible. Lots of walking 😉