Aero India 2011: Reaching for skies

The Aero India show at Bangalore's Yelhanka Air Force station was a show of immense star power and aerial theatrics at its supreme best. People from different walks of life made it to the show. The Indian Cricket Team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came visiting and so did Ratan Tata - unfazed by the controversy surrounding his name in the 2G scam. Bollywood was represented by Shahid Kapoor. These images are not flights of fantasy but great work done by some real heroes.

The Aero India show at Bangalore's Yelhanka Air Force station was a show of immense star power and aerial theatrics at its supreme best. People from different walks of life made it to the show. The Indian Cricket Team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came visiting and so did Ratan Tata - unfazed by the controversy surrounding his name in the 2G scam. Bollywood was represented by Shahid Kapoor. These images are not flights of fantasy but great work done by some real heroes.

Tata Group chairperson Ratan Tata waves before boarding a Boeing fighter F/A-18 Super Hornet that he sits on back seat at the Aero India 2011 at the Yelahanka air base on the outskirts of Bangalore. (Photo courtesy: AP)
Defence Minister AK Antony waves from inside the cockpit of an aircraft after innaugurating the Aero India 2011 exposition in Bangalore. Aero India 2011 has drawn 675 firms and around 40 official delegations from 45 countries to Bangalore, India's aeronautical capital. The five-day airshow comes less than a month after Indian budget carrier Indigo agreed a $15.6-billion order for 180 A320 passenger aircraft with Europe's Airbus Industries. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni on a different turf altogether. The captain who is known for his penchant for speed and love for bikes came visiting Bangalore, to witness first hand the supersonic jets, soaking it all in. (Phot courtesy: PTI)

Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni at the Aero India 2011 at Yelhanka air base in Bangalore. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Dhoni on a different altitude altogether. He sits inside the cockpit of a fighter aircraft as he visits the Aero India 2011 show in Bangalore.(Photo courtesy: AP)
Captain cool coming down after inspecting the mean machine. He looks visibly happy with what he saw. (Photo courtesy: PTI)

Here is Dhoni. All smiles and eager to now go and get the world cup which will breach all stratospheric levels of adulation that he can think of. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Indian Air Force aircrafts perform aerobatic flight at the opening ceremony of Aero India 2011.(Photo courtesy: AP)
Indian air force Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft fly in formation as they perform at the opening ceremony of Aero India 2011. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo)

Actor Shahid Kapoor came visiting along with his father. The actor is all dressed up for the occasion and is ready to get in there. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid getting the final tips and is bracing for the moment. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid about to step into the Lockheed Martin F-16 Super Viper. Is seen listening keenly to his instructor. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid Kapoor is now firmly in the saddle. He sits inside the cockpit of Lockheed Martin F-16 Super Viper as he visits the Aero India 2011. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid Kapoor is seen inspecting his flying instrument. The cautious actor is all eyes and ready for the act. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid is ready to take off. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Shahid Kapoor after flying in Lockheed Martin F-16 Super Viper. The actor gave the experience a thumbs up. (Photo courtesy: PTI)
Politician Naveen Jindal shakes hands with an unidentified pilot after flying in the Dassault Rafael aircraft at the Aero India 2011 in Bangalore. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
A US Air Force test pilot sits in the cockpit of a Lokheed Martin F-16 F-16IN Block 60-Super Viper fighter prior to a test flight, at Aero India 2011. (Photo courtesy: AFP)