How it all came to be
A signal that has echoed through generations of aviators.
The Air Force has a time honoured tradition that goes back as long as anyone can remember.
Every base, regardless of where it is located in the country and regardless of its primary task, follows the same drill.
When all the activities of the day are done, all the personnel are safe in their homes and all the aircraft are secure in their blast pens, the duty officer sends a signal message to the designated higher formation.
The message is simple, has remained unchanged over generations and says simply ---
"The Sky is Blue"
Every formation picks up the messages from its subordinate stations and in turn relays it to its parent command till the message reaches Air Headquarters.
To Air Force officers down the ages, receiving a "Sky Blue" message has always meant that God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.
It also means that as Aviators, they can continue to surf across their heavenly domain -- the sky, the next day.
Who is a Sky Surfer?
A Sky Surfer is basically an aviation nut -- the kind of person who can identify the approaching droning sound to belong to a jet fighter, airliner, turboprop, helicopter, light trainer, powered paraglider or bumble bee!
The sky brings immense pleasure to Sky Surfers and they revel in flying through it, helping others to fly through it or just gazing at it to marvel at its myriad hues.
You do not need to be a fighter pilot, or even a pilot, to be a Sky Surfer. If the sound of an engine overhead still turns your head -- you are one of us.
The People Behind
Kiran Varma — Heart & Soul
Kiran -- the word literally means a ray of light and it fits her perfectly. She brings sunshine into the lives of everyone she interacts with. A graduate of science and the hallowed art of teaching from Delhi University, there are generations of kids out there who owe their success to her hard work and passion for education.
Air Cmde Rohit Varma - Aviation Expert
Rohit is an aviator with "the right stuff" about to complete his fourth decade in aviation. He counts himself as one of the fortunate few who get paid for indulging in their favourite activity -- flying. From para-gliders, microlights, high performance jets to airliners, he has been at the controls of all.