Ultra Bandit to scorch Surat skies

SURAT: Most of the people have only heard about tales of bandits. However, now they have a chance to see a real one but only its 'tail'. Ultra Bandit, the fastest sports jet, is readying to scorch the skies of Surat at the second aero modeling show in the city to be held at CK Pithawala Engineering College grounds from February 2 to 5. Ultra Bandit will be flying at a speed of 450 km per hour.Other sports jets too are expected to notch up an impressive speed up to 400 km per hour. People of Surat for the first time will be seeing sports jets in action being flown by expert flyers from across the country at the event being organized by Hi-flyers Aero Modeling Association of the city. At least 50 participants are expected to take part in the competition.
HAMA president Biren Pithawala told TOI "Participants are coming from Mumbai, Indore, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Valsad, Bardoli, Surat and many other places. This year's show will be three times bigger than the one we held two years ago."
World renowned flyer from UK Ali Maschinchy, referee in the competition, will give a jet flying demonstration. He will fly his aircraft at 400 km per hour.
Varun Gajjar is coming from Australia with a seven-member team and will be flying D-Cataleon, which is half the size of a real aircraft and is propelled by a 210cc petrol engine.
"We have built a special 940 x 60 feet tarmac runway for the jets. We have also set up a 300 x 20 foot tent for the event. More than a thousand people are expected to see the show," said Pithawala.