CAPA-VIC promote aerospace city

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

June 14, 2012

CAPA India and Vittal Innovation City (VIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-promote a high-technology aviation manufacturing, research and knowledge park to be known as CAPA-VIC Aerospace City.

The 750 acre aerospace park will form one of the industry clusters at VIC, which in total comprises 2650 acres located just 50 minutes from Bangalore International Airport. The site has been acquired by Global Emerging Markets, a USD3.4 billion alternative investment group, with offices in London, New York and Paris.

VIC, promoted by EMPI Innovation Parks, is India’s first green technology & IPR safety zone focusing on aerospace, defence and electronics, and integrating industry, design, research and education, together with a high quality environment for working, living and learning. A strong focus on corporate social responsibility will include skills development opportunities for the local community.

The initiative is promoted by eminent industry professionals and academicians. The Chairman of VIC, N Vittal, is a former Secretary at the Ministries of Telecommunications and Information Technology, and is one of the architects of the reforms in those sectors which led to India's emergence as a competitive player in the new global economy. He was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan for his exceptional contribution to India’s development.

A world class global advisory board is headed by one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs, Narayana Murthy, chairman emeritus of Infosys Technologies, and includes Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority, and Ajai Chowdhry, a founder and chairman of HCL Infosystems, one of India’s leading technology enterprises.

CAPA, as the region’s leading specialist advisory, research and knowledge practice, will bring together international aerospace operators, manufacturers and service providers. Global companies are increasingly looking at India as a potential outsourcing destination that can deliver best practice engineering at competitive benchmarks, especially in light of the large offset commitments that have arisen from civil and defence aircraft orders by the Government. India's pre-eminence as a leading science and technology nation makes it an ideal base for research, design and development. Meanwhile, the Government of India continues to evaluate the possibility of developing an indigenous regional aircraft program.

Proposed activities at CAPA-VIC Aerospace City include:

• Aerospace manufacturing: Manufacturing of various aircraft components, equipment and eventually assembly and manufacturing of aircraft;
• Research and development: Aviation design, research and development for both civil and defence aircraft, addressing issues such as aircraft design, aerodynamics; composite structures, aviation and the environment, alternative fuels, noise emissions, travel technology, safety and accident prevention, human factors and air navigation services;
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO): Setting up of maintenance facilities for airframes, engines and components;
• Helicopter city: a dedicated enclave will be established to provide research, manufacturing, maintenance and support services across the value chain specifically for rotorcraft;
• Education and training: Development of a world class aviation and aerospace university, and international standard academies for pilots (ab initio flying and flight simulators), maintenance engineers, cabin crew and air traffic controllers, all of which will be in conjunction with CAPA’s partner, Subramanya Construction and Development Company (SCDC). Education and training initiatives will also commence at centres in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai starting from the second half of FY2012/13.

CAPA-VIC Aerospace City has completed technical pre-feasibility studies for the development of a 3.2km runway which would facilitate test flights for aerospace manufacturers, enable aircraft to be flown in for maintenance, repair and overhaul and allow for the development of a world class flying school.

“India's demonstrated ability to deliver high quality research and manufacturing in various industries at relatively lower cost is a unique and valuable proposition. By transferring these strengths to the aerospace sector there exists the potential to position India as a global centre for excellence. We are very excited to be supporting this landmark initiative,” stated Peter Harbison, executive chairman, CAPA – Centre for Aviation.

N Vittal, chairman, VIC, remarked, "We look forward to jointly developing with CAPA a state-of-the-art Aerospace City within VIC, which will bring together all elements of the aerospace value chain, from research and development, manufacturing, maintenance and ancillary support. All underpinned by skilled human resources developed through the co-location of high quality education and training institutions."