The tragic crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show has once again brought into focus the extreme risks associated with demonstration flying. The loss of a trained combat pilot is not just a statistic, but a deeply personal national tragedy.

Yet, amid the shock, grief and social media speculation, it is crucial to separate emotion from aviation reality. Airshow accidents, while rare, are not abnormal in military aviation across the world, even among the most technologically advanced air forces.

Unlike routine operational missions, airshow performances are meant to push aircraft to their visual and aerodynamic limits. These flights are not merely about flying from point A to point B but about executing tightly choreographed, high-

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