Exclusive! Tractor rams into ailing Kingfisher’s ATR

Neelam Mathews

Sept 30, 2012

Kingfisher Airlines seems to be getting in the news for all the wrong reasons. Lady luck seems to be looking the other way as far as the ailing carrier is concerned.  We just broke the story on the frustrated engineers without salaries, and now we hear on Sept 27, a tractor rammed into the carrier’s ATR “making a big hole” into it at Mumbai International Airport. So, now, we’re told, the plane count is down to 8, including 3 ATRs.

While the airports really need to look at modernised equipment for ground handling and the tractor ramming into KFA may not have been the carrier's fault, memory is fresh still of earlier mishaps including the one in Nov 2009 when KFAs VT-KAC ATR-72 (Bhavnagar -Mumbai) skidded off the runway when landing. All the passenger safely deplaned after the accident. “The accident occurred due to unstabilized approach and decision of crew not to carry out a ‘Go-around’,” said the DGCA report. 

Credit-jagdishbhawsar

This brings us to the experience the brave KFA engineers have developed in recovering aircraft real fast despite no funds for spares through cannibalizing parts. As one engineer tells Aerospace Diary: “Yeh to chota mota kaam hai,( this is work that can be done in a jiffy, we are adept at it).

”It is time to consider an award for the silent brigade of Kingfisher that keeps its aircraft flying.?

Perhaps, Mr Mallya could start with giving them their 7-month old salaries?

Remember This?

Breaking! Kingfisher engineers freak out!

Neelam Mathews
Sept 30, 2012

Even as we write, passengers are stuck inside Kingfisher aircraft that have landed at Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore as engineers are not permitting the doors to be opened, Aerospace Diary has learnt.

This follows non-payment of salaries of engineers since March. An engineer in Bangalore told Aerospace Diary: "we heard that pilots have got their March salaries. What does the management think-that we are third class citizens?"

We also hear that a senior manager of Kingfisher that went to appease the engineers in Mumbai was beaten up.

One supposes, this is not enough for DGCA to clamp down on the ailing carrier as yet?

Exclusive! India - Indian Defense- Focus of Spain's attention

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Sept 30, 2012

Visiting India for the first time since he became Secretary General for Defense Policy in January this year, Alejandro Alvargonzález San Martín who was serving as the Spanish Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, is tapping his extensive knowledge of emerging geographical regions, such as Asia, in particular India, he says.
San Martín has a lot on his agenda here having already met two military chiefs and DRDO. On monday, more meetings follow, "To create a network and...sign an agreement on defense exchange."
The Indian Navy has released an RFP to build four large projection vessels with dual helicopter carrier and amphibious role. 
Those in the running are likely to be French DCNS with its Mistral class, Spain's Navantia perhaps with its Buque of Proyecciones Estategica, South Korea and Fincantieri with its multifunctional Ship.

Navantia-Canberra Class
Pix-DefenseIndustryDaily

Outlining partnerships with India including fighting piracy in the Gulf and "being in Lebanon in the same sector," San Martin said on the LHD: "We are ready to cooperate. Spain has created its own navy. We know about buildings ships and India has its own shipyards."
Spain has in the past 30 years, built up its defense industry from its offsets. However, he says candidly: "Linking offsets with sovereignty is a concept that needs to change."

He adds:"IPR is not a concern if you have the right agreements, as know-how must be respected.People want to be associated with those who are respected, reliable and predictable." he told Aerospace Diary.
Is somebody listening? 

Sunday Smile (Video)

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Sept 30, 2012


One of Airport Security-

Mil- Sunday Smile- Comedian Russell Peters on a Military Plane

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Sept 30,2012

Thai gets its first A380 ( Video of Ceremony)

Neelam Mathews
Sept 29, 2012

Thai Airways International (THAI) has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the ninth airline to operate the world’s largest airliner. The aircraft was handed over to Captain Montree Jumrieng, Executive Vice President Technical, THAI, by Kiran Rao, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Airbus, at a special ceremony in Toulouse. 

THAI has ordered six A380s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. It has specified a premium three class layout, seating a total of 507 passengers,with 12 private suites in First Class, 60 fully flat sleeper seats in Royal Silk Class and 435 seats in Economy.

For those of us who were not there to cheer Thai-Here's a nicely done compact video-

Maldivian expands regional footprint – flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka (Video on Maldives)

Neelam Mathews

Sept 28, 2012

Starting Nov 15, Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives, will launch direct services from Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka to Male.

To cater to the new direct routes, Maldivian will be adding a 154-seat Airbus 320 aircraft to its fleet by October 2012. Presently, the fleet consists of 2 Dash8-200 series aircraft (37 seats) and 3 Dash8-300 series aircraft (50 seats).

Abdul Harris, Managing Director, Maldivian, said. "We are entering new passenger markets where we see a need for more air services, particularly where such markets are under served and in need for extra capacity", he said.

Maldivian, which has only been in operation for 12 years, began its operations to Trivandrum, India in January 2007.

Maldivian already works in partnership with a number of key resorts in the country such as Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi, J Resorts Alidhoo, Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Six Senses Laamu, Park Hyatt Maldives, Robinson Club Maldives, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, The Residence Maldives, Ayada Maldives, Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Herathera Island Resort and Equator Village. The carrier is looking forward to working with more resorts in the forthcoming months with the introduction of the newest domestic route – Dharavandhoo Airport, Baa Atoll.

The domestic network links the main international airport Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to rest of the country. Maldives being a vastly scattered island nation, travel from the islands to the Capital of the country is always a challenge. Transportation services (albeit via air or sea) play a key role in connecting the tiny islands.

Exclusive! Jet to opt for code share from Chennai?

Neelam Mathews
Sept 28, 2012

Starting Nov 15, Jet Airways will be pulling out its direct Chennai-Brussels flight, Aerospace Diary learns. This could not be confirmed with the carrier. Nov 14, will be its last direct flight, we learn.

Pix-Daily Digest

It is likely, that a codeshare with Lufthansa will now operate on the sector. The Chennai-Brussels-JFK was pulled out earlier following major competition from United and Brussels Airlines, we hear. With seats on the Chennai- Brussels sector already sold out, Jet's website is offering the sector via Mumbai with a 777. Delhi-Toronto, via Brussels uses an A330.

An observer tells us: "It looks as though Jet is shifting all its operations via Mumbai." This could not be confirmed either.

Nepal crash kills 19- Video

Neelam Mathews

Sept 28, 2012

This morning, a Sita Air operated  Dornier Fairchild twin engine turboprop,  with Garrett TPE331-10T/-5A engine, crashed on the banks of Manohara in the Bhakatpur district river killing 19 including 16 passengers.

Local papers have reported the aircraft crashed within two minutes after the ATC gave clearance for take off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport.

The reason for the crash is not known. It is being speculated , a bird hit could have been the cause.The aircraft was on its way to Lukla, a tourist destination in the lap of Mt.Everest.

Aviation accidents are not a rarity in Nepal. In May, an Agni Air Dornier had also crashed. Sita Air started operations in 2003 with four Dorniers.

Nepal's Sita Air Crash

Neelam Mathews

Sept 28, 2012

This morning, a Sita Air operated  Dornier Fairchild twin engine turboprop,  with Garrett TPE331-10T/-5A engine, crashed on the banks of Manohara in the Bhakatpur district river killing 19 including 16 passengers.

Read more on- http://aerospacediary.blogspot.in/2012/09/nepal-crash-kills-19.html

GSAT 10 set for launch

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Press Release

GSAT-10 satellite, ISRO’s 101st space mission, is ready to be launched
from the Kourou launch base in French Guyana. GSAT-10, weighing 3400 kg at
the lift off, is the heaviest that ISRO has built. GSAT-10 has been
integrated with the Ariane-5 launch vehicle along with co-passenger
communication satellite ASTRA-2F awaiting the launch scheduled at 0248 hrs
on September 29, 2012 (IST). Necessary arrangements are being done for
live telecast of the launch from Kourou Launch Base through Doordarshan.

About 31 minutes after lift off, GSAT-10 would be injected in a
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee of 250 km and an apogee of
about 36,000 km. From there, the satellite would be moved to Geostationary
Orbit (circular 36,000 km above equator) by using the satellite propulsion
system in a three step approach. After this, the solar panels and antennas
would be deployed. In the next few weeks, the payload would be turned on
to perform a series of extensive In-orbit Tests. The satellite is expected
to be operational by November 2012. GSAT-10 satellite will be positioned
at 83 deg East orbital location along with INSAT-4A and GSAT-12. The
nominal operational life of GSAT-10 is expected to be 15 years.

GSAT-10 satellite, carrying 30 communication transponders   [12 Ku-band,
12 C-band and 6 Extended C-Band] would provide vital augmentation to
INSAT/GSAT transponder capacity. Also, it has a Navigation payload “GAGAN”
that would provide improved accuracy of GPS signals (of better than 7
meters) to be used by the Airports Authority of India for Civil Aviation
requirements. This is the second satellite in INSAT/GSAT constellation
with GAGAN payload after GSAT-8, launched in May 2011.

Cargo slumps

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 27, 2012

Preliminary traffic figures for the month of August released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed a sustained increase in international air passenger traffic, in contrast to continued weakness in air freight markets.

Air freight markets remain depressed, as a result of weakening consumer confidence in the major developed economies leading to a corresponding slowdown in exports from Asia.  International air cargo demand, as expressed in freight tonne Km (FTK) terms, was 4.4% lower in August compared to the same month last year. Combined with a 4.1% reduction in offered freight capacity, the average international air cargo load factor was almost unchanged, at 64.6%.

Asia Pacific airlines carried an aggregate total of 18.5 million international passengers in August, a 6.8% increase compared to the same month last year, led by relatively strong demand for regional travel. International passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger km (RPK) terms, grew more modestly, by 5.3%. Offered seat capacity expanded by 3.5%, resulting in a 1.4 percentage point increase in the average international passenger load factor to 80.3% for the month.

Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, “The overall trend in international air travel demand remains encouraging, as reflected in the 7.9% increase in the number of passengers carried by Asia Pacific based airlines during the first eight months of this year. Whilst the overall pace of global economic activity is clearly slowing, Asian economies have so far remained relatively resilient with domestic demand still supporting business and leisure related travel.”

Asia's first ATR 72-600 delivered

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 27, 2012

Taiwan's UNI AIR, a regional subsidiary of EVA AIR, will be the first carrier in Asia to operate the ATR 72-600. It  is expected to officially enter into service on October 11th, with a first commercial domestic flight from Taipei to Taidong.

With the introduction of its new fleet of 10 ATR 72-600s, UNI AIR will progressively replace its fleet of Dash 8 Q-300s turboprops.

The ATR 72-600 received its EASA-certification in May 2011, becoming the world's most-recently certified 70-seat regional aircraft. Among other improvements, it features the most modern avionics suite, equipped with full-glass cockpit specifically developed for ATR by Thales, and totally redesigned cabin interiors, by Italian designer Giugiaro.

  

Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said: "The arrival of the very first ATR 72-600 in Asia is also a milestone for ATR. In the last years,.....We are pleased to strongly contribute to the expansion of regional aviation in Asia with our green and most modern ATR -600s”.

About the ATR 72-600:
Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt  Whitney Canada PW 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)

Get your creative juices flowing!

Neelam Mathews

Sept 26, 2012

So you think you can write? Prove it! Air France has partnered with famous author Chetan Bhagat to launch an online writer’s contest ‘Diary of a Traveler’.’

According to Yeshwant Pawar, General Manager South Asia, Air France – KLM, “The contest will help us strengthen our social media engagement and further create a deeper connect with our consumers. Also, as part of our CSR initiative, for every article received, Air France – KLM will donate “INR 100” to the NGO Smile Foundation”

Starting October 1, 2012, travel enthusiast will get a chance to write about their most memorable trip and share it via their Facebook or Twitter accounts with their friends and family. All they need to do is log on to the microsite www.diaryofatraveler.inand submit an article of 200-300 words on their most unforgettable trip.

Each week, the top five articles with the maximum votes will qualify to feature under “Chetan’s favorites”. The entries will be thereafter adjudged by Bhagat to draw a weekly winner who will get an autographed book by the author and others will win goodies from Air France.

The final winner of the contest will be announced in November and will get a chance to win two Premium Economy Class tickets on Air France to his/her dream destination on the Air France network.

Spotted -IAF Hawker Siddeley

By Neelam Mathews
Sept 23, 2012

Hawker Siddeley HS748-2M/LFD - Indian Air Force :.

Registration H-2379 Serial 586 Line Number First Flight Delivery Date 30.11.85 Model HS748-2M/LFD Airline Indian Air Force Status Active All Registrations H-2379 Indian Air Force

Exclusive! Jet Airways reconfigures A330- a sign of better times ?

Neelam Mathews

Sept 25, 2012

We hear that given the good business on the Brussels route, Jet Airways may be looking to reconfigure an A330 (VT-JWM) from a 1-1-1  in Business Class to a 1-2-1 config and additional rows in economy. The remaining A330s might also be reconfigured.

Not great news for passengers though who'll be packed more than usual!

We are also hearing that Jet’s base will not be shifted to Munich as reported by some newspapers. There will just be a flight from Mumbai to Frankfurt and one to Munich. It is also believed that Lufthansa wants a codeshare with Jet in India the way Jet wants it for its operations in Europe.

“Jet will never join an alliance,” an official tells us. One would be inclined to say: “Never say never,” but  increasingly, many in the business are following the Emirates philosophy of alignments but not alliances.

Here's a video on the recent partnership  with OneWorld partner, Qantas-

Exclusive! Jet Airways to get delivery of new A330-300

Neelam Mathews Sept 25, 2012 Jet Airways will receive its new VT-JWR A330-300 from Airbus next week. The Construction Number (MSN) is 1351. Presently the carrier has 12 A300-200s with two being returned to lessors. The new delivery will now take the A330s in the fleet to 11. The new aircraft is expected to enter Jet's Brussels hub services.

Myanma Airways acquires Emb-190s

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 25, 2012

Myanma Airways, the flag carrier of Myanmar, has acquired two EMBRAER 190s under a lease agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE.  The aircraft are the first modern 100-seater jets to be introduced in the country. The E190s will be delivered by year end. 

Each E190 is configured with 100 seats in a single class layout. The two E-Jets are part of the airline’s fleet modernization plan. In addition to deployment on domestic routes, the E190’s 2,400 nm (4.448 km) range gives Myanma Airways the capability to fly to new Asian destinations as the flag-carrier of Myanmar. 

Paulo Cesar Silva, Embraer President, Commercial Aviation said: “We look forward to further supporting the growth and enhancement of the dynamic air transport market in Myanmar, a country which is seeing an increasing importance on the international business scene.” 

In Asia Pacific, over 200 Embraer commercial aircraft are in service with more than twenty operators. 

For  those heading to Yangon-

SU 30 MKI Inducted

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Sept 25, 2012

A SU-30 MKI aircraft was inducted into the Western Air Command at Air Force Station Halwara Air Force Station situated south west of Ludhiana in Punjab by Air Marshal Arup Raha, AOC-in-C Western Air Command.

While the first batch of SU-30 MKIs were inducted into IAF in Sep 2002, the 220 Squadron at Halwara known as ‘Desert Tigers’, which flew the MiG-23 aircraft till 2005 is now resurrected with the latest SU-30 MKI Squadron in Western Air Command, says the IAF. “The SU-30 MKI is a frontline all-weather air-dominance fighter with multi-role capability, which can undertake varied air combat and ground attack missions,” adds the IAF. Halwara was chosen to base the first SU-30 MKI Squadron in the Western Air Command in 2011.          

Air Force Station Halwara is one of the oldest frontline Airbases of the IAF. The base has grown since its inception as a forward airfield in 1942. Halwara, due to its strategic location was actively involved in both 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. Halwara has been home to Spitfires in early 1950s to being the hub of Mig-23 operations till 2009. It was later chosen to base the first SU-30 MKI Squadron in the Western Air Command in 2011.    

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1950s/SR-Halwara01.html

Air India equips B787 aircraft with Thales IFE

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 25, 2012

The first of Air India's 27 Boeing 787s is equipped with the Thales In-Flight Entertainment System.  All the 787s  will be equipped with Thales’s IFE technology including a host of interactive capabilities through an easy-to-navigate graphical user interface including full Audio & Video on-demand (AVOD), games, shopping catalogues and a new interactive ASXi Moving Map application.

“Air India and Thales have an excellent history together….. We look forward to working closely with Air India to support their operations for years to come,”  Eric Lenseigne Thales India Country Director said.

At present 20 Boeing 777s, 4 747s and 42 Airbus 320s flying Air India’s livery are equipped with Thales IFE system. Air India’s 787 business class passengers will enjoy 15.4 inch seatback displays, AC power and USB port for personal electronic device battery charge. Noise cancelling audio jacks and passenger control units with keyboard conveniently located in the seats, says Thales. In the economy class, each seat is equipped with a 10.6 inch seatback or in-arm display, AC power, USB port, noise cancelling audio jack and the standard passenger control unit.

Thales IFE on Qatar Airways

No to EU-ETS says US Senate- What Now?

Neelam Mathews

Sept 25, 2012

The US Senate has passed a bill that forbids U.S. airlines from paying carbon emissions on European flights. This is a clear signal to the EU to back down from applying its emissions law to foreign carriers. This will add pressure on the ICAO to work on a global alternative to the law, which it has not done till now.

"Congress has spoken—U.S. airlines should not be subjected to this illegal scheme that amounts to little more than a cash grab for the European Union as none of the funds collected are required to be used for environmental purposes," said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio.

The EU has been enforcing its law since January. Indian and Chinese carriers have been asked by their governments not to pay the tax. China had threatened retaliation - including impounding European aircraft. Fearing loss in business, EADS had called for restraint from its government on the law.

Exclusive! Opinion- Air India Engineers Desolate

Does anybody care anymore? 

From an AI engineer's point of view

Neelam Mathews

Sept 24, 2012

There is little doubt  there is dissatisfaction among the ranks of the erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines engineers, upset with the formation of the MRO subsidiary for which they were not consulted nor made aware of where they would stand in seniority.

Like it or not, this could become a safety issue.

Interestingly, most of the engineers we spoke to, had little confidence the AI MRO would make money “especially with the high taxes “and the incapable Air India Engineering Management.” “Unless the MRO is handed over to a professional management, it will not be able to breakeven even after 10 years,” moans an engineer.

VRS is not applicable for licensed category of employees like AMEs. There is trepidation that while the government  has promised to protect salaries and extend financial support to the MRO for the first three years, the subsidiary will have to stand on its own following the completion period. AI has not provided any guarantee of business.

One wonders what the logic of starting a subsidiary then, is, given that ‘C’ checks are cheaper abroad and India has a lopsided tax policy that ensures work go outside the country! A concern is the AI management will justify sending aircraft to foreign MROs than giving them to its own company. How does it expect in that case, to get maintenance contracts from foreign companies, that it has so loudly proclaimed?

 An engineer claims: "As it is, our maintenance is sub-standard compared to foreign airlines due to lack of spares and tools. DGCA is not in a position to monitor performance of our department due to shortage of manpower." Is anybody listening?

IA has maintenance facilities at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad for carrying out major checks on A-320s which are underutilized. AI has facilities for Boeing aircraft at Mumbai, Trivandrum, and shortly in Nagpur.

While this not Aerospace Diary’s opinion, we were told of internal corruption. An instance is the recent bid to outsource the CFM 56 engine maintenance the tender of which is to be opened on October 8. A buzz says it has already been decided the contract will be awarded to Snecma Morocco. 

                                               Which leads us to ask the question- (!)

Raytheon enters into distribution agreement

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Sept 24, 2012

Raytheon Company has entered into a distribution agreement with Monument Capital Group. Under the agreement, MCG will engage potential Indian partners to provide mass notification and non-lethal systems to solve challenging security problems and emerging safety requirements.

Applications of these products include high-value asset and critical infrastructure security, protection against terrorism and piracy, explosives detection, and innovative emergency response solutions for natural disaster management. Security solutions are aimed at enhancing border, port, maritime and aviation security.

“Our agreement with MCG will help to expand Raytheon’s global reach in homeland security, national defense and commercial security markets,” said Mike Booen, Raytheon Missile Systems’ vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems. “The agreement also enables our customers to set up local operations for full services, installation and maintenance of cutting-edge security technology products, ensuring customers receive full and long-term value from their technology purchases.”

Cyrus on Air India's Dreamliner

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Sept 23, 2012

The Week That Wasn't- 

Cyrus Broacha takes on Air India's 787

To view the snippet move time-band to 16.00-unless ofcourse you want to watch the full show!

Mil- Sunday Smile

Neelam Mathews

Sept 23, 2012

    

A young guy in an F-16 fighter was flying escort for a B-52 and generally being a nuisance, acting like a hotdog, flying rolls around the lumbering old bomber. The hotdog said over the air, "Anything you can do, I can do better."

The veteran bomber pilot answered, "Try this hot-shot."

The B-52 continued its flight, straight and level.

Perplexed, the hotdog asked, "So? What did you do?"

"I just shut down two engines, kid."

credit-aviation-humor

Sunday Smile

Neelam Mathews

Sept 23, 2012

The scene is a newspaper office. The editor says to one of his reporters: There's a fire raging out of control west of town and I want you to get out there fast. And above all, get some good shots. If that means you have to hire an airplane, just do it. 

So, the reporter calls the local FBO and orders a plane. He rushes out to the airport, spots a small aircraft with a young pilot in it, pulls open the door, jumps in and says to the pilot: Let's go, take off. As directed, the pilot takes off, gets up to altitude, and the reporter then tells him, "See that fire raging to the west? I want you to fly over that and get down as close as you can."

Incredulous, the pilot says, "You want me to fly over that fire?"

"Sure," the reporter says, "I am a photojournalist and that's why I am here--to take dramatic shots of the fire!" The pilot looks over with a quizzical look on his face and says, "You're not the flight instructor?" 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Renting airplanes is like renting sex: It's difficult to arrange on short notice on Saturday, the fun things always cost more, and someone's always looking at their watch."

Credit - Pilotfriend

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       

Endeavour pays homage to astronauts

Pix-Lockheed Martin
Fixed atop a modified 747, space shuttle Endeavour made low sweeping passes passes over SFO and LA. This was its final journey.

 

Indian Air Force Chief Outlines Fighter Jet Plans

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

by  NEELAM MATHEWS

The second prototype of the Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA lands at Zhukovsky airbase during the recent Russian Air Force 100th anniversary airshow. India is negotiating development of its own version, the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

September 21, 2012, 11:40 AM

An Indian negotiating team is heading for Russia to finalize details of the country’s participation in development of the Sukhoi T-50, also known by the Russian acronym PAK FA and by India as the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). India is providing half of the expected $11 billion cost to develop the aircraft, and earlier signed a preliminary design contract worth $295 million. The Indian development contract is expected to take six months to conclude, AIN has learned..

In an exclusive interview, Indian air force chief of staff Norman Anil Kumar Browne told AIN, “The contract incorporates our specifications, which are very demanding.” Browne drew a distinction between the FGFA version and the original PAK FA, three prototypes of which are already flying. “We still do not know what [our] final version will be like until we finish. What I can say is that it will be very different from the Russian version, including weapons, avionics and sensors.”

The PAK FA development program needs to complete 5,000 sorties, Browne said. “So we have work to do. The fourth prototype will fly soon,” he predicted. Government defense contractor Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will be participating in design and development. Following signature of the contract, HAL officials and Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots will be based in Russia for seven years during the R&D phase.

“[The IAF] will get three prototypes for testing–the first in 2014/15, the second in 2017 and in 2019 the final one, which will be the version we order,” said Browne. Russian air force commander Gen. Victor Bondarev said recently that his service would receive production aircraft in 2015.

The IAF had “preliminary thoughts” about acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-35 in 2004/2005, but signed the MoU with Russia for the FGFA in 2007. “I am confident the F-35 will be a good machine. But now we have a concrete plan. We have crossed the time [line] and cannot commit to more than one project,” said Browne when asked whether India could still consider the F-35.

India initially planned to have 166 single-seat and 48 two-seat FGFAs, but recently it decided to take all 214 as single-seaters. AIN understands that the decision was driven by the fidelity of modern simulation, as well as the additional cost of building two-seaters.