HAL must realign business process, says Antony

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Feb 29, 2012

Defense Minister AK Antony has asked Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to realign its business processes for strategic alliances and joint ventures and  step up R&D efforts to remain globally competitive. 

Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee Antony said HAL should partner with design laboratories like DRDO and CSIR for the development of indigenous aircraft, engines and systems. It should adopt best practices followed by the global leaders in the field of project management, quality control systems, vendor deployment and supply chain management.

HAL has a turnover of over Rs.13,000 crores and is set for a quantum jump with the planned acquisition and production of Light Combat Aircraft, Light Utility Helicopter, Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft, Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Multirole Transport Aircraft, Basic Trainer Aircraft in its assembly lines in the coming  years, says HAL.

Keeping in mind the mammoth role that the HAL would assume in the coming years in the aerospace industry and the challenges that it would face, the government has set up an expert group under the chairmanship of BK Chaturvedi, Member, Planning Commission to suggest measures to strengthen and restructure HAL. 

The expert group has already met twice and is expected to submit its report soon.  Among other things, the Group will suggest how best the spin offs from HAL order book can be earnest to ensure better involvement of the private industry in the defense sector.  It will also suggest measures to enhance the synergies between HAL, the private defense sector and the civilian industry.  The expert Group will assess the future technological and human resource requirements of HAL keeping in view the upcoming and emerging futuristic aeronautical technologies.

Members of Parliament who attended the meeting included Manish Tewari, Naveen Jindal, Suresh Kalmadi, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, Kalkesh N Singh Deo, Murli Manohar Joshi, SS Ramasubbu, Shashi Tharoor, Balwant alias Bal Apte, Mahender Prasad, HK Dua and Ishwar Lal Jain.

India's Rafale: 'The mother of all deals' ... Aerospace Diary features on French TV

http://www.france24.com/en/20120228-india--france-rafale-dassault-aerospace-defence-investment

EXCLUSIVE! Pilots threaten as Kingfisher bleeds ....more defaults

Neelam Mathews

Feb 29, 2012

It’s that time of the month again. Aerospace Diary learns pilots of ailing Kingfisher Airlines have threatened not to come to work from tomorrow March 1, if the backlog of their 3-month salary is not cleared.

We also hear the airline is caught again with dues yet to be paid to IATA. This follows a recent default when Kingfisher had come close to being blacklisted by IATA for non payment.

Bad luck seems to come in 3 or 4s for the airline. An official told Aerospace Diary lessors are demanding the return of two AOGs, not under proper care. It is not clear if they are A330s or A320s. If the former, it could be likely the carrier’s operations to London and Hong Kong could be hit badly. Already, Kingfisher counters are manned with a skeleton staff taking care of a handful of passengers.

Is the media to blame for this as Vijay Mallya’s recent note to his employees claim, one wonders.

Eckehardt Keip Managing Director of Northrop Grumman Holding GmbH

Feb 29, 2012

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Eckehardt Keip as managing director of Northrop Grumman Holding GmbH, which includes operating entities Northrop Grumman L.E.F. GmbH and Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH.

Keip has been managing director of Northrop Grumman LITEF in Freiburg for nearly eight years and in his new, expanded role, he will be responsible for leading all areas of the company's Navigation Systems Division operations throughout Germany.

"This strategic new appointment will unite and centralize all of our operations in Germany under Eckehardt Keip's leadership," said Liz Iversen, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division. "We continue to develop, refine and integrate key technologies to create cutting-edge products for our customers and opportunities for continued growth in the company's operations."

Northrop Grumman L.E.F. and Northrop Grumman LITEF are the company's navigation systems subsidiaries based in Weisweil and Freiburg, Germany. Northrop Grumman L.E.F. specializes in product assembly of navigation products, including state-of-the-art fiber-optic gyros. Northrop Grumman LITEF supplies inertial sensors, inertial reference and navigation systems, and related computers to customers worldwide, with products deployed in aircraft, naval and ground mobile applications in more than 30 countries. 

Keip has 17 years of management and leadership experience. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Keip was managing director of Honeywell Airport Systems in Wedel, Germany, from 1998 to 2003. Additionally, from 1995 to 1998, he was director of sales/marketing and contract management at Honeywell Control Systems in Maintal, Germany.

Embraer Regrets

São Paulo, Brazil, 
February 28, 2012

Embraer Statement:

Embraer regrets today’s announcement by the US Air Force, to set aside the contract award related to the Afghanistan Light Air Support program (LAS). Along with its US partner, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Embraer participated in the LAS selection process providing, on time and without exceptions, all the required documentation. 

The decision in favor of the Super Tucano, announced on December 30, 2011 by the U.S. Air Force, was a choice for the best product with proven performance in action and all the necessary capabilities to meet client demands. Embraer remains committed to offer the best solution to the US Air Force and will await further clarification on the subject to decide next steps, in consultation with its partner, SNC.

DCNS India delivers Mazagon Dock Limited the first locally produced Scorpene submarine equipment

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Feb 28, 2012

The shipyard Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) has received the first Indian made equipment for the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). MDL has congratulated this successful industrial performance during the recently held Government to Government (G2G) meeting between India and France.

MDL is producing six SSK Scorpene submarines (P75) under transfer of technology (ToT) from DCNS. Simultaneously, DCNS India, DCNS Group’s subsidiary in India, is working at the selection and qualification of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpenes’ equipment.

In June 2011, DCNS India signed a contract with Flash Forge India Pvt. Ltd. under the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). “We are providing our Indian partners with know-how and technical assistance to manufacture equipments which will be installed onboard the Scorpenes. Together with MDL, we are qualifying the suitable companies which are meeting the rigorous specifications needed for the submarines”, said Bernard Buisson, Managing Director of DCNS India.

The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the first locally made Scorpenes’ equipment (for the large scale piping system) was successfully performed at Flash Forge premises in Vishakapatnam in January 2012.

The success of the manufacture and delivery of this first indigenisation contract with Flash Forge India Pvt. Ltd. is the culmination of a long and stringent process, involving:

·         Preliminary audits of the manufacturing and quality processes, performed by experts from DCNS France;

·         Certification of the prototypes to three different laboratories, including a DCNS laboratory for Naval Material and Structures, in order to validate the good manufacturing of the equipment;

·         Frequent interactions between Flash Forge and DCNS teams during the manufacturing process.

This delivery is especially significant since the quality of each equipment onboard submarines contribute to the overall safety of the crew on board and of the ship performance. Flash Forge has already proven experiences in forgings and pipe fittings with MDL and other Indian shipyards. Today, through the participation in the P75 Scorpene submarines, higher standards of qualifications have been achieved.

Siemens PLM and Boeing extend agreement

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Feb 27, 2012

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, has announced that Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company, has signed a new 10-year agreement to extend the use of Siemens PLM Software technology at both Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Defense Space and Security. 

 “Boeing and Siemens PLM Software have enjoyed a long working relationship, and we are pleased to extend our contract to take advantage of new innovations to enhance our global capabilities,” said Nancy Bailey, Boeing vice president of IT Product Systems. “We are partnering with Siemens PLM Software to enhance Boeing's PLM capabilities. The openness of the Siemens PLM Software will continue to support, and help us improve, the solutions we use throughout Boeing, creating additional business value for our company.”

 “We are proud of our proven relationship with Boeing and are thrilled that the aerospace and defense industry leader has decided to extend the use of Siemens PLM Software technology,” said Chuck Grindstaff, CEO, Siemens PLM Software. “Boeing’s commitment to leverage the integrated Siemens PLM suite of solutions is a testament to our continued ability to bring the most innovative products to market to help our customers succeed.”

Recent changes to Indian merger control (also applied to potential mergers between airlines)

Credit- Suzanne Rab
Partner
King & Spalding 

Specifically, the “Competition Commission of India (Procedure in regard to the transaction of business relating to combinations) Amendment Regulations, 2012”, makes several significant changes to the Combination Regulations which were issued on 11 May 2011.

Key points include:

· An exemption for acquisitions of less than 25% of equity shares or voting rights in the ordinary course of business or for investment purposes, without an acquisition of control;

· An exemption for buy-back of shares or subscription of rights issues of shares, not leading to an acquisition of control;

· A limited exemption for certain intra-group mergers and amalgamations involving subsidiaries wholly owned by the same group;

· A significant uplift in filing fees – the Form 1 fee is increased from INR 50,000 to INR 1,000,000 and for Form 2 (long form) the fee is increased from INR 1,000,000 to INR 4,000,000;

· Various changes to filing requirements; and

· A preference is expressed for notification using Form 2 (long form) in the case of overlap where the parties have market shares exceeding 15% (horizontal) and/or 25% (vertical).

With less than a full year of operation of the mandatory merger control regime it would be premature to draw robust conclusions from the decisions to date; still less to consider that they are necessarily a predictor for the future.  Nevertheless, the publication of amendments to the existing combination regulations serves to indicate that the CCI is already clarifying ambiguities in the underlying legislation through its practice.

Indian Army field exercise in Rajasthan

Press Release

Feb 27, 2012 

The Indian Army is all set to begin a major exercise in Rajasthan named 'Ex Shoor Veer' commencing from March to May 2012 in which all formations and units of Jaipur based South Western Army Command will participate to validate its war-fighting doctrines in a joint service environment.

The exercise will be based on the integrated theatre battle concept and will involve the elite Corps Strike one in the lead and will be joined by the Chetak Corps.  Joint Service synergy will be enhanced by active participation of IAF in this exercise.  With over 20,000 troops participating in the exercise, this will be one of the largest military manoeuvre conducted so far.  The exercise aimed at rapid mobilization involves several mechanized operations towards offensive operations, Battlefield transparency and operational plans based on real time situational awareness will be enhanced using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) inputs from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Radars and satellites.  With air assets to play a decisive role in future battles, the increased air assets of the Army and Air Force would be employed in an integrated manner in the exercise.

 The exercise kick starts with mobilization and build up of units and formations of Strike One in Malwa region of Rajasthan in the month of February - March 2012.  This will be followed by training at unit and formation level and finally culminating in large scale manoeuvres under General Officer Commanding of Strike One.  A wide array of battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, long range artillery guns, air defence weapons and radars, UAVs, fighter jts transport aircraft, attack helicopters and state of art communication system will b held in the exercise.

A large number of VIPs including Chief of Army Staff and senior dignitaries of Army and Air Force are likely to witness this exercise.

The exercise will help the South Western Army Command to validate its war-fighting concepts while working towards capability based approach 'relying on a series of transformational initiatives, concepts, organizational structures and absorption of new age technologies.

Invision Air launched

Neelam Mathews

Feb 27, 2012

Invision Air, “India’s first entry level business jet service using a fleet of light jets from Embraer,” was launched today.

Vinit Phatak, Founder and Managing Director said “We feel this is the right time to launch our service as our target market has no real pan-India operator with a fleet of business jets. Our plan of six bases in India with two aircraft in each base will create many cost and logistical advantages which we shall pass on to our customers.”

Jayant Nadkarni, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, added that “Our new generation jets have extremely fuel efficient engines and an ease of maintainability that allows for low cost of operations and a long product lifecycle. Their advanced avionics and safety equipment facilitates increased pilot awareness providing a high level of safety for our passengers.”      

Mr Mallya, Time for some straight talk

Neelam Mathews
Feb 27, 2012

CNBC reports that Vijay Mallya, chairman of  Kingfisher Airlines told his employees that 'paid media' is responsible for the downfall of his company.

Really? Was paid media also responsible for the spike in his five star airline business we were then so justifiably proud of  five years ago when it launched?

There is an immaturity in thinking here, one senses. Perhaps people would respect him more if he came downright and said the company messed up in its business model. And that isn’t rocket science. Besides, any company in a new business can make mistakes. Look at life around us. Don’t see too many owners saying the media was paid to do that.

I find it an affront that Vijay Mallya and his advisors can be so blatant in their accusations without proof. Think we need an apology from him.

Lockheed Martin-supported UAV on display

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Feb 25, 2012

A prototype of the UAV developed by a student team of Delhi Technological University with financial resources and engineering mentoring support from Lockheed Martin was displayed at the ICAUV 2012 conference in Bengaluru.

The students also showed a video of their first flight test in January. The student team from DTU was selected by LMC due to their winning a US-based competition to design a small UAV, beating teams from universities such as MIT and Stanford. The LM Corporate Engineering and Technology organization is funding a sponsored research program with this winning team to develop a design for the next generation of UAV’s tailored for operations in large urban environments.

Test flight of the prototype UAV is scheduled for end February 2012. This will be reviewed by Lockheed Martin executives.

The announcement of this joint research was made by Dr. Ray O Johnson (senior vice president and chief technology officer, Lockheed Martin) in September 2009, during his visit to India. The work on this program officially began on November 1, 2009, with the receipt of the Phase I grant from Lockheed Martin. The student team was guided by John Sheehan (Sr. Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and project manager for Urban UAS project) and Dr. Peter Drewes (business innovation manager-autonomous systems Lockheed Martin). They met the student team to define project objectives and describe metrics as well as a preview of the systems engineering approach to design, says LM.

In 2010 and 2011, the student team visited Lockheed Martin Aeronautics headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Here the team has a chance to observe firsthand the F-16 production facility and meet with some of the F-16 production engineers. The completion of Phase I occurred on August 31, 2010, as the team presented their conceptual design for the next generation of Urban UAS to Lockheed Martin.

The project preceded on to Phase II which included the preliminary design, detailed design, fabrication, and testing with a progressive flight test program to expand the vehicles operational envelope. The preliminary design was presented to representatives from DRDO at the February 2011 Preliminary Design Review. This second phase of the effort provided the opportunity for the student team to collaborate with indigenous industry in India for the fabrication of key vehicle components.  This phase provided the students the opportunity to manage program schedule, system and subsystem design and fabrication, and several subcontracts for UAS components.

Jet Airways – Jetstar deal creates new India – Asia Pacific link

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Feb 25, 2012

Jet Airways and Jetstar, the largest low cost carrier in the Asia Pacific, have announced an interline agreement that will offer guests new travel options between India and Jetstar destinations across much of the Asia Pacific.

Through this partnership, Jet Airways customers will now be able to book a single combined ticket on Jetstar,Jetsar Asia or Jetstar Pacific flights as part of a single integrated transaction and travel itinerary sold on a Jet Airways E-ticket, says a CAPA release.

Customers may purchase combined Jetstar and Jet Airways travel via travel agents, online, or through Jet Airways’ reservations call centre. For passengers travelling under the new agreement, Jetstar will accommodate the Jet Airways baggage allowance. For passengers connecting international to international flights, bags will be through-tagged. Complimentary onboard offerings such as meals and comfort packs will be provided on connecting Jetstar long haul services.

According to Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways: “With the growing passenger loads between India and the Asia Pacific region, this strategic partnership with Jetstar is a win-win situation for both the airlines. Especially since it provides our passengers with good options to reach more East Asian cities and Australia seamlessly beyond our present online points, and vice versa.”

David Koczkar, Jetstar Group Chief Commercial Officer, said: “India is one of the region’s strongest travel markets and a top inbound market for both Singapore and Australia. This innovative agreement will allow both airlines to cater for the growing appetite for air travel from the emerging Indian middle class.

By flying through Jetstar’s hub in Singapore, Jet Airways passengers travelling from locations including New Delhi and Bombay can easily connect to Jetstar’s growing number of destinations in Japan, China, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

Joint Declaration Urge EU to Work Constructively on a Multilateral Approach to Address International Civil Aviation Emissions

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Feb 24, 2012

Representatives of Non –EU Members of International Civil Aviation Organisation Meet in Moscow -STATEMENT

The representatives from Armenia, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Chili, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda and United States of America of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) met in Moscow on February 21 and 22, 2012 and reaffirmed the importance of the role of the ICAO in addressing international civil aviation emissions, including pursuant to the request from the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The countries gathered in Moscow reiterated the importance of Kyoto Protocol to its Parties as well as importance of Chicago Convention and the need to ensure full compliance with its provisions.

Ch. Ajit Singh, the Minister of Civil Aviation met with Ms. Connie Hedegaard, Commissioner for Climate Policy of EU earlier in February, in which the Minister reiterated that the European Union Emission Trading System (EU-ETS) violates the principles of the Chicago Convention and is also against the bilateral Air Services Agreement between India and EU Member States. Later during the meeting of the President, European Union with the Prime Minister of India in Delhi, Ch. Ajit Singh, Civil Aviation Minister reiterated the stand of India regarding EU-ETS scheme. The Minister mentioned that the EU-ETS scheme infringes upon the sovereignty of states outside the European Union and violets the principles of the common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) under the UNFCCC wherein developing countries are not subjected to an emissions cap.

He also apprised the EU President that the de-minimus provision under the scheme is notional. Accepting EU-ETS in the civil aviation sector means starting of a trend for similar action in other sectors, which would have greater implications for Indian Economy. The Minister also confirmed that India would not be in a position to alter its stand and that EU must consider to withdraw the Scheme.

            The member stressed that the unilateral inclusion of international civil aviation in the EU-ETS has constituted an obstacle to the progress of ICAO’s work underway to address international civil aviation emission.

             Underlining the lack of an adequate response from EU to the ICAO Council’s Decision C-DEC 194/2 including the lack of a constructive dialogue to address the concerns of the non-EU States expressed in that decision and elsewhere and considering that the inclusion of international civil aviation in the EU-ETS leads to serious market distortions and unfair competition, the meet decided to adopt joint declaration as a clear manifestation of their unanimous position that the EU and its Member States must cease application of the Directive 2008/101/EC to airlines/aircraft operators registered in third States.

            The Moscow Joint Declaration urged the Member States to consider taking actions/measures such as:-

1.      Filing an application under Article 84 of the Chicago Convention for resolution of the dispute according to the ICAO Rules for the Settlement of Differences (Doc 7782/2);

2.      Using existing or new State legislation, regulations or other legal mechanism to prohibit airlines/aircraft operators of the State from participating in the EU-ETC;

3.      Holding meetings with the EU carriers and/or aviation-related enterprises in their respective States and apprise them about the concerns arising out of the EU-ETS and the possibility of reciprocal measures that could be adopted by the State, which may adversely affect those airlines and/or entities.

4.      Mandating EU carriers to submit flight details and other data;

5.      Assessing whether the EU-ETS is consistent with the WTO Agreements and taking appropriate action;

6.      Reviewing Bilateral Air Service Agreement, including Open Skies with individual EU Member States, and reconsidering the implementation or negotiation of the ‘Horizontal Agreement’ with the EU;

7.      Suspending current and future discussions and/or negotiations to enhance operating rights for EU airlines/aircraft operators;

8.      Imposing additional levies/charges on EU carriers/aircraft operators as a form of countermeasure;

9.      Any other actions/measures.

            Members also strongly urged EU to work constructively forthwith in ICAO on a multilateral approach to address international civil aviation emissions. Member countries stressed the need to exchange information on the measures adopted and to be adopted, particularly to ensure better coordination, by each non-EU Member State after this meeting in future. The members decided to continue their intensified common efforts to make progress at ICAO to address international civil aviation emissions and they requested the Russian Federation to communicate this Joint Declaration to the EU and its Member States on their behalf and invite any other State to associate itself with this Joint Declaration and, in this connection request the Russian Federation to extend invitation.

YUDH ABHYAS 2011-12- Indo-US military exercises

Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2011-12, the latest in a series of Indo-US military exercises between mechanized forces, is scheduled to be conducted in northern Rajasthan in March 2012.  It is designed to improve bilateral cooperation between both armies and enhance their ability to operate side by side at the tactical level, within the framework of UN peacekeeping operations.

This exercise will see troops of US 25^th Infantry Division, US Army Pacific, Hawaii train with India troops of South Western Command in well designed setting for peace support operations.  The participants will engage in a number of defined operational missions that include security of lines of communication, intelligence based peace enforcement operations and extrication / rescue operations, says a statement.

Breaking! IAF loses Mirage 2000

Neelam Mathews

Feb 24, 2012

MIRAGE 2000  AIRCRAFT CRASH

Allahabad: February 24, 2012

One Mirage 2000 aircraft of IAF crashed 50 kms North East of Gwalior, in the Ravines of Bhind Dist on Feb 24, 2012 at about 1210 hrs.  The pilots, Air Marshal Anil Chopra and Wing Commander Ram Kumar who got airborne from Gwalior airbase for routine flying sortie, ejected safely.  There is no reported damage to civil property or life. 

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause of the accident.

Offsets Policy- not cleared as yet

Neelam Mathews

Feb 24, 2012

The discussion held yesterday (Feb 23) on ratifying the Offsets policy remained “inconclusive,” Aerospace Diary learns.

A meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council chaired by Defense Minister A.K. Antony looked at proposals to amend the offsets policy, part of the DPP 2011.

The industry was hoping certain issues would be cleared including transfer of technology as offsets; multipliers and offsets in commercial shipbuilding. With a central implementing body required, the DAC was to look at  the Defense Offset Facilitation Agency (DOFA) as the empowering body for offsets.

Tech Initiatives in 2012 - Malaysian Airlines leads the way on Cloud Computing

Neelam Mathews
Singapore Air Show
 

Breaking free from the shackles of legacy technology to embrace the benefits of high-speed, high-capacity computing power, Malaysia Airlines, became the first carrier last year to introduce a successful pilot of IT provider, SITAs Desktop-as-a-Service, the air transport community cloud computing services. Having completed a number of projects, it is now moving forward to the next phase of going online to use cloud as part of its mainstream operations, says Damian. J. Hickey, Regional Vice President, Sales & Relationship management, South Asia & India to AIN.

 SITAs Command Center in Singapore launched in October last year includes a Cloud processing Center to support its airline clients looking at moving their operations to Cloud. The company says it is in discussions with many large Asian carriers with announcements to de made on their decision to adopt Cloud Computing this year.

In view of the restructuring of MAS (it made a swap deal with AirAsia last year) and change in management, the MAS wish list, says a representative, Cloud will give it flexibility and agility in supporting business needs of network expansion and mobile workforce, improved quality of service and data protection, alongwith a streamlined support model.

Statement on the 12th U.S.-India Defense Policy Group Dialogue

NEW DELHI -- U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Jim Miller and Indian Defense Secretary Mr. Shashi Kant Sharma co-chaired the 12th annual U.S.-India Defense Policy Group (DPG) dialogue on February 21st at the Ministry of Defense in New Delhi.

Dr. Miller discussed with his DPG counterpart the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the growing defense relationship which includes defense trade, military-to-military training and exercises, and technical cooperation. 

In addition to the DPG meeting, Dr. Miller met with Minister of Defense A.K. Antony and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Nirmal Verma, where discussions focused on bilateral defense iffgssues.  Dr. Miller also held meetings with Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai addressing a range of regional and global issues. In the words of Dr. Miller:  “The U.S.-Indian relationship is built on a strong foundation of common interests and values.  The United States sees India as a partner in advancing stability and security in the region and globally, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership on defense and security.”

The Defense Policy Group concluded with agreement that its next meeting would be held in Washington, D.C. in 2013.

HoverMast, Sky Sapience’s Autonomous Hovering Platform Makes Debut

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Feb 23, 2012

Israel’s Sky Sapience, an expert in autonomous hovering machine technology, launched its HoverMast, tethered hovering platform specially designed for small vehicles. The HoverMast will be displayed at the upcoming AUVSI conference and exhibition in Tel-Aviv.

 

The HoverMast is due to enter full scale production in Q3 2012.

The HoverMast responds to the need for quick, mobile intelligence gathering.  At the click of a button, the system autonomously deploys, rising to heights of up to 50 meters within 10-15 seconds. Secured by a cable, serving as a power supply and wideband data link, the highly stabilized HoverMast combines advanced flight algorithms and innovative materials to provide the highest payload-to-size ratio available today. Weighing only 10 kg, the platform is capable of hosting 9 kg payloads, such as electro-optic sensors, laser designators, radar, and sophisticated COMINT and ELINT systems. Its data link enables the transfer of critical data to selected recipients in real time.  

The HoverMast is stored in a compact housing unit that can be mounted on any vehicle; small vehicles in particular: cars, pick-up trucks, unmanned ground or surface vehicles (UGV/USV), ATVs, and small naval craft; making the system especially suited for Special Forces, border and port protection, and infantry missions. 

Since the HoverMast is tethered, it is not bound by standard air control regulations; extremely useful for urban activities: urban warfare and law enforcement, as well as industrial, civilian and homeland security operations. 

Brig. Gen (Res.) Gabriel Shachor, CEO and Founder of Sky Sapience said: “Sky Sapience was chosen by MAFAT, the IMOD’s research and development agency, as its sole developer of tethered platform technologies. As such, we are confident that the HoverMast will prove invaluable to both military and civilian forces, vastly improving their observation and intelligence capabilities.”

It will make its first ever public appearance at the AUVSI International Conference and Exhibition in Tel-Aviv next month.

Sky Sapience founded by Brig. Gen (Res.) Gabriel Shachor, Shy Cohen and Ronen Keidar in 2010, is located in Yokneam, Israel. Its dedicated team members are experts in the fields of aeronautics, robotics, computer programming, electronics, and business management. As its flagship product, the HoverMast, a stabilized tethered platform, leads the way in these technologies, with three other products currently in development. Sky Sapience has strategic partnerships with MAFAT - the IMOD research and development agency and G-NIUS Unmanned Ground Systems Ltd.

Why bail-out Kingfisher Airlines asks RTI Activist

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, (Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist) questions if the government should support Kingfisher

There seems to be scandalous affair in efforts of bailing out Kingfisher Airlines through public-sector banks or working out a compromise-formula with Income Tax authorities. If private companies are bailed out in this fashion, then the system may open a new whole panorama of scams and scandals.

If Kingfisher Airlines would have been in profit, would it siphon such profits to government-functionaries from which the airlines is expecting bail-out package? Kingfisher group as a whole is minting money through its other ventures like whisky etc. Its owner has huge properties throughout the country. Why the owner does not sell these properties and shifts to a small apartment like a commoner before anticipating any bail-out package from public-authorities? He should divert funds from his money-minting ventures to his airlines to overcome the financial crisis. Even if all this is not sufficient, he should close all his companies to sell assets to meet liabilities. Rather concerned public-authorities and government-functionaries should get properties of other companies of the group and their owner attached to recover dues.

SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL

(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)

www.subhashmadhu.com

EXCLUSIVE! Blueprint on General and Business Aviation

Neelam Mathews

Feb 21, 2012

A team of nine including representatives from ICAO and Ministry of Civil Aviation is presently preparing a blueprint on Business and General Aviation in India to cover helicopters, seaplanes and fixed wing operations.

The report, once ready in April, will incorporate a future strategy for the sector taking into account its present infrastructural and regulatory constraints, an official told Aerospace Diary at the third IBAE held today.

This is expected to be incorporated in the new Civil Aviation policy that has presently only two pages dedicated to the lucrative but oft ignored sector.

CAPA Chief South Asia Kapil Kaul was vociferous that a joint secretary level official in the ministry of civil aviation be made the point guard for general and business aviation. “We have a good secretary wanting to make changes,” said Kaul. He added the DGCA required a organization structure to oversee interests of non- scheduled operators, "as does AAI at ED level for development of general aviation to work alongside the BAOA.”

“I believe procedural bottlenecks will be achieved. Structural issues will take time,” Kaul added.

From Bird Strikes to Bank Accounts- The excuses are getting lamer by the hour

Neelam Mathews

Feb 20, 2012

Kingfisher Airlines must either take its readers (Read Media) to have very short memories or they must think we are fools (more likely the latter!).

 

Yesterday we got a statement that said bird strikes were the cause of the disruption- 18 planes of 66 were flying. (The birds must be attracted to their counterpart, Kingfisher- a lot to keep banging into them in the air! ) Today (being a holiday) the press release attributed the “prime reason” for the chaos to “the sudden attachment of our bank accounts by the IT department.”

 

“We are in dialogue with the tax authorities to agree a payment plan and get the bank accounts unfrozen at the earliest,” says the release. So when did this freezing of bank accounts actually take place? Recently? A while ago? What was the airline doing? And was DGCA informed? If not, why not? If it was, what action was taken? Is the DGCA running short on staff? If it is, how is growth being managed? Where does safety figure in this equation? Questions the industry is asking.

 

“About 15% of our flights operating consistently for the past 3 months have been cancelled and we have done and are doing our best to inform guests in advance of cancellations and clubbing and to re-book them on other carriers,” says the KFA release. Really? With 16 aircraft in the air (today), 15% is an unlikely number. Or this is done conveniently to average it out? Maybe I’m just poor in math.

“If the guests so desire, we are offering them a full refund.” IF!!!?? The guests are clamoring for it. But with bank accounts frozen, how do you reimburse them?

“We’ve been in touch with the DGCA to keep them informed of the disruptions.” I could be wrong, but the DGCA was quoted on the electronic media saying it has not been informed. So, which way does the cookie crumble?

“We have adequate numbers of flight crew and cabin crew to operate our schedule of flights.” That’s truly a refreshing thought. Hope they’ll be there by the time accounts are unlocked.

From Bird Strikes to Bank Accounts- Not seeking bailouts, confirms Kingfisher

Another Press Statement-

Mumbai, February 20, 2012—Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. would like to reiterate and clarify as follows:

1.     The prime reason for the current disruption in our flight schedules is the sudden attachment of our bank accounts by the IT department. This has severely affected our ability to make operational payments leading to the present curtailment. The revised schedule has been updated in the system.

2.     We are in dialogue with the tax authorities to agree a payment plan and get the bank accounts unfrozen at the earliest. We are appealing to them to see reason that inconvenience to the travelling public is not in anybody's interests.

3.     Employee salaries can be paid and the grounded aircraft can be recovered quicker once the bank accounts are unfrozen and the schedule restored on priority.

4.     About 15% of our flights operating consistently for the past 3 months have been cancelled and we have done and are doing our best to inform guests in advance of cancellations and clubbing and to re-book them on other carriers.

5.     If the guests so desire, we are offering them a full refund.

6.     Our teams are in close touch with our travel trade partners to keep them abreast of the disruptions so that they too can, in turn, ensure that guests contacting them / booking via them are kept updated of any changes.

7.     We’ve been in touch with the DGCA to keep them informed of the disruptions.

8.     We will appear before the DGCA tomorrow and submit all details they want and also a plan to restore the full schedule.

9.     We would like to reassure our valued guests that there are absolutely no safety issues with the aircraft that are operating.

10.  We have had a constructive meeting with our bank consortium last week.

11.  As stated earlier, we have not approached the Government of India for any "bail out".

12.  We understand from media that certain positive decisions were taken at a recent GOM meeting which will benefit the industry and also Kingfisher Airlines.

13.  We have adequate numbers of flight crew and cabin crew to operate our schedule of flights.

Kingfisher Airlines deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to its valued guests on account of the current disruptions.

Prakash Mirpuri
Vice President - Corporate Communications
Kingfisher Airlines Limited