Aviation American Airlines flight catches fire in Denver and passengers evacuate ...

March 14, 2025

Not again!

Aviation Concern- Feb 25, 2025 Moment Southwest flight has close call with jet at Midway International ...

Even before I have started to restructure my blog, its becoming one on accidents and analaysis in the US. What is happening?!!

Neelam Mathews

Aerospace et al- VIPs- India's Bane?

 Feb 24, 2025

Why do 1.3 billion people or more put up with this malaise?

Neelam Mathews

Many years ago, in Salzburg when I was covering the tourism industry, at a traffic signal, a car stopped next to us. A man sitting in the car, waved to the Austrian Tourism representative accompanying me. She told me it was a minister she happened to know.

This image has never left me making me realise what a nation of buckled down people we continue to be. This time not to a foreign power but to self-acclaimed people who though elected by us think it is their right to get their pound of flesh from their jobs.... rather positions. One of course understands a couple of senior ministers and the head of state blocking roads when traveling but for the others, it’s a big no-no.

We have started to take this oppression and abuse for granted. The government even acknowledges this. Take a 1981 circular by the DGCA that till today wants VIPs to travel on a twin-engine aircraft. We subjects can go to hell for all they care. FYI- Single engine helicopters are SAFE!

Being in the aerospace arena, it was very disturbing at the AeroIndia 2025 Bengaluru to see “VIPs and their families and staff” be taken around the show in buggies paid by- us the taxpayers! What about the disabled, seniors and pregnant women? Don’t they have a right? Oh, they are not VIPs!

Being in the aerospace arena, it was very disturbing at the AeroIndia 2025 Bengaluru to see “VIPs and their families and staff” be taken around the show in buggies paid by- us the taxpayers! What about the disabled, seniors and pregnant women? Don’t they have a right? Oh, they are not VIPs!

A recent Air India flight that had a huge number of seats broken and probably IFE not functioning, was sincerely apologetic to a minister who complained. What free travel he was awarded, can only be speculated. Wonder if the carrier apologised to the other passengers who were in the same situation?

Readers might think this write-up is being petty but I think we are letting our selves be subjugated to a point of no-return almost! Remember what’s happening in the US?

On LinkedIn Merugu Sai Ramana, legal advisor officially, Britain has 84 VIPs, France 109, Japan 125, Germany142 US 252, Russia 312, China 435. India has a shocking 1,79,092 VIPs.

“These perks are funded by public money, raising questions about the sustainability and fairness of VIP culture…….but the willingness of elected representatives to relinquish their VIP status remains a critical consideration,” he said.

 

AVIATION ACCIDENT Deadly small plane collision in Arizona

Feb  20, 2025

What is happening?

Time for the world to review this dangerous trend,

Is it lack of ATCOs? Is it maintenance issues? 

Basic services that are being removed- are they creating an impact?

Money v/s lives?

AVIATION NTSB reveals new information on midair collision

Feb 2025

This maybe of interest to the aviation community 

Aviation Delta Airlines jet crash lands in Toronto

Feb 18, 2025

Terrible start to the year. 

DEFENSE BRIEF LOOK AT DEFENSE BUDGET Feb 1, 2025

                                       

The Union Budget 2025 has allocated a total of Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the defence sector, marking a significant increase from the previous year's allocation of Rs 6.21 lakh crore. Here's a breakdown of the allocation:

• Revenue Expenditure: Rs 4.88 lakh crore, covering salaries, operational costs, and maintenance.

• Capital Expenditure: Rs 1.92 lakh crore, which includes procurement of new equipment, modernization, and infrastructure development.

• Defence Pensions: Rs 1.60 lakh crore.

The budget also emphasizes the "Make in India" initiative and aims to boost indigenous defence production and self-reliance.

At first glance this is what Rs 1.92 lakh crore for capital expenditure in the defence sector looks like-

This allocation is aimed at modernizing the armed forces and enhancing their capabilities. Here are some key highlights of the defence capital expenditure looks like-

Procurement of Advanced Systems: The budget includes funding for the acquisition of next-generation platforms such as fighter jets, submarines, and drones. This will help in strengthening the operational capabilities of the armed forces.

1. Infrastructure Development: Significant investments are being made in the development of infrastructure for the armed forces, including the construction of new bases, airfields, and naval facilities.

2. Indigenous Defence Production: The budget emphasizes the "Make in India" initiative, with a focus on boosting indigenous defence production. This includes the development and procurement of locally produced equipment and systems.

3. Research and Development: Although the budget for R&D in the defence sector is relatively low compared to other countries, there is a push to increase investment in critical areas such as hypersonic weapons, AI, and quantum technologies.

These investments are expected to enhance the overall defence capabilities of the country and ensure that the armed forces are well-equipped to handle emerging security challenges.