Bangalore: Meero Sutzno, Oleg Antenovic, Garden Clemont are three different test pilots from three different countries, but with a common aim - to win.

With an indomitable spirit to dominate, the three burnt tons of gas in their intricate manoeuvres against the life threatening 'G' forces of the sky. Quick rolls, tight turns and breathtaking loops had the audience looking up in disbelief on the inaugural day of the Aero Show 2003 at the Jakkur Airport near Yelahanka on February 5.

It was to impress the top brass of Indian Air Force and 'Babus' of the Indian Defence ministry, who were on hand to gauge the power and agility of these trainer aircrafts.

Czech-Boeing made Lima 159 LB, piloted by Meero Sutzno, showed the best aerodynamic capacity that any aircraft can ever show. The 8000-kg, 2-seater trainer scaled the sky vertically at a breathtaking speed of 500 kms per hour.

After the sky robotics it touched down on the runway at 430 kms speed and came to standstill in seconds, using just a 570-metre stretch of runway, thus showing its short field landing capability. As, its engines silenced, thunder erupted in the Air Force fraternity who were watching it.

Then followed the MiG-AT, the Russian made prototype trainer aircraft. Test pilot Oleg Antenovic repeatedly rolled the aircraft at every 90-degree turn and thrilled the watching crowd. He made vertical turns, half loops at 850 kms in the cloud-free skies.

This light attack, fly-by-wire trainer aircraft is suitable for training pilots from the preliminary to the advanced levels. It can fly 1.4 kms above the sea level at a maximum speed of 1,000 kms.

With 'helmet fitted attach systems' this is very friendly aircraft for a training pilot, the Russians claimed.

The British made HAWK, which the IAF is keenly watching with a view to clinch a deal, then took majestically to the skies. Royal Air Force pilot Garden Clemont flew the aircraft in a vertical manoeuvre at a top speed of 800 kms, thus exposing himself to 7 'G' (the extreme gravitational pull which almost faints human beings).

After scaling the sky above and climbing five kms above earth, the aircraft displayed its free fall capability, falling at a speed of 200 kms and just pulling up again into the sky at 400 kms. It was a brute show of power.

At 30,000 feet above sea level, this twin-seater trainer can fly at a maximum speed of 1,100 kms per hour with ease.

As these three trainer jets were stealing the show, the Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30 MKIs came to the fore.

The radar jamming, precision bombing, multi-role Mirage fighter aircraft of the IAF roared the skies with 'synchropass' (criss crossing each other at speeds of 1,000 kms) above the crowd watching with great awe. At extreme speed the Mirage can create a 9 'G' effect on the pilot.

Without mid-air fuelling this aircraft can easily cover 3,500 kms with an air endurance of five hours. Before landing these aircraft performed the 'barrel roll' (rolling in the sky while looping vertically) capability. This feature helps the aircraft to escape from enemy fire.

As the Mirages landed, the world's best Russian made fighter Sukhoi 30MKI took to the skies. Indian Air Force commander Nirmal Singh used its 'thrust-vector' power to reach a height of 1.4 kms in the sky in just 10 seconds.

Making turns at a very minimum radius this biggest fighter craft of the world astonished every spectator. At a speed of 750 kms this aircraft took a very tight turn and proved its manoeuvrability.

This superior, multi role, combat aircraft has been inducted into the IAF in September 2002. Around 40 more Sukhois are likely to join the IAF making it the most formidable Air Force in South Asia.

The highly superlative aerial display was telecast on a display screen by an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was flying at height of five kms. The UAV transmitted the images live on a screen at the Isreali stall.

A fitting aerial tribute was also paid to the space shuttle Columbia crew members including Indian-born astronaut Kalpana Chawla. The nine Surya Kiran aircrafts of the Indian Air Force made a formation of the Columbia on the skies to the applause of the audience from the ground.

The show began with an advance light helicopter leading a very unique formation. On either side of the helicopter were two MiGs, 2 Mirage-2000s, and 2 Sukhoi 30MKIs. This was the first time such a formation had been attempted and successfully formed in the sky anywhere in the world.