Aerospace Diary

by  Neelam Mathews  -  July 28, 2015, 9:00 AM Pix-Neelam Mathews The United Nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ) plans a so-called aviation Silk Road initiative for the integration of Central Asia and surrounding regions into a cohesive trading belt. The aviation route at first will include northern, northwest and central China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, eastern parts of Turkey, southwest Russia, Armenia and Georgia. The Silk Road or Silk Route–an ancient network of trade routes that connected the West and East by merchants and pilgrims from China and India to the Mediterranean Sea—inspired the name of the initiative to promote open skies in the region. “ Embracing open skies is vital for the region if the concept has to be successful,” said Alla Peressolova, head of the Silk Road program of the  UNWTO . “Building a coh...

by  Neelam Mathews    -  July 21, 2015, 10:51 AM In the process of finalizing a new civil aviation policy, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation summoned a meeting last week with the Business Aircraft Operators Association ( BAOA ) to discuss challenges faced by general aviation in India. The association's proposals are likely to be considered for incorporation into new policy. The  BAOA ’s major recommendations include rationalization of the business aircraft import duty, which is 2.6 percent for charter operators but 19.6 percent for private operators. Also on the association’s list is infrastructure for business aviation at airports, specifically the release of parking slots, establishment of  FBO s and a subsidy for charter operators planning to operate flights on regional routes,  BAOA  managing director  RK  Bali told  AIN . “There needs to be some rationalization to take care of losses of smaller operators durin...

ATC Neelam Mathews, New Delhi   - IHS Jane's Airport Review 20 July 2015     The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have officially implemented the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) navigation system for Indian airspace - but airlines must still be convinced to adopt it. Two satellites (GSAT-8 and GSAT-10) in geostationary earth orbit are broadcasting signals for the Indian Flight Information Region (FIR). A second backup satellite called GSAT-15 will be launched in early 2016,  IHS Jane's  understands. The system is interoperable with other satellite-based augmentation systems (SBASs) to deliver precise positional data for airspace users: the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in the United States; the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS); and the MTSAT Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) in Japan......Read more (subscription) in Janes Airports........

by  Neelam Mathews  -  July 15, 2015, 7:36 AM Airbus Helicopters believes that the Fennec may still secure a portion of the Indian reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter (RSH) requirement. (Photo: Chris Pocock) Airbus Helicopters and Mahindra Defence Systems will create a joint venture to respond to India’s large potential requirements for military helicopters. The new partners said this will be the first private Indian helicopter manufacturer under the   “Make in India” initiative . They are eyeing three particular requirements that could amount to more than 600 helicopters, although in two of the three cases, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already chosen alternative suppliers to meet part of the need. Mahindra is a vehicle and tractor maker with a defense business that supplies armored vehicles, radars and surveillance equipment to India’s armed forces. Its subsidiary Mahindra Aerospace recently bought GippsAero in Australi...

by  Neelam Mathews  -  July 15, 2015, 10:15 AM I India's airlines worry about the high cost of equipage and certification associated with Gagan. (Photo: Neelam Mathews) India’s airlines are resisting attempts by the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA ) to adopt the recently launched Gagan ( GPS   Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) system, citing the high cost of associated equipment and the time needed for retrofits, training and certification. One of the world’s four satellite-based augmentation systems, Gagan is a joint project of the Airport Authority of India ( AAI ), the Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO ) and Raytheon. Its advanced air navigation technology provides coverage for the entire Indian Flight Information Region ( FIR ) via broadcast signals from two Indian built satellites ( GSAT   8 and   GSAT   10). “It improves fuel efficiency of airlines operating throughout India,” said Raytheon’s country...