Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews March 26, 2014 Pix Credit-Deccan Chronicle As India enters the final phase of elections carried out in phases over five weeks starting April 7, regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued strict guidelines to helicopter and small fixed wing operators and warns non-compliance could lead to suspension of licenses and Air Operators Permits. The circular comes in the background of DGCA reeling under a cloud of FAA having downgraded India's aviation safety rating in January. DGCA acknowledges: “An analysis of earlier accidents and incidents…….has revealed laid-down instructions were violated time and again and safety was jeopardized.” A shortfall in supply with over 31 helicopters sold in the past year and a half, and politicians wanting to campaign at 4-5 remote villages in a day, have created logistics and safety problems. “Most landings in remote areas are dusty. Hovering blades create a dust storm and ground handlers need to spray wate...

AINONLINE by    NEELAM MATHEWS March 13, 2014, 3:32 PM Bombardier Business Aircraft is confident India’s general aviation market will revive following national elections in India that are to be held during April and May. Nilesh Pattanayak, Bombardier’s Asia-Pacific regional vice-president said there has been a big change in the regulatory environment and infrastructure since 2007, when he first came to India. Despite the country’s recent economic setbacks, he told  AIN  at this week’s India Aviation show in Hyderabad that he remains optimistic about further growth in private aviation. “We believe there will be a revival at the end of the 2014 elections [to be concluded on May 12] and that 2015 is going to be a very strong year for business aircraft in India,” he said.  “There is a high level of activity and interest in our products. Traditionally the larger cabin aircraft, such as our Global aircraft, have been the most...

Neelam Mathews in Kuala Lumpur Nov 8, 2012 AAPAs 56th Assembly of Presidents concentrates on its members primarily in the Asean region, But talk aviation with very senior people here, and the state of Indian aviation crops up as the primary subject of interest. It is embarrassing to hear tales of woe from lessors, insurance agents, OEMs and anybody who is a vendor about payments not being made primarily by Kingfisher and airports setting a bad example by not letting the claimed planes go. In case we didn't realize people didn't care, lets think again. The aviation community is so big, yet so small, somebody told me here. And how true that is! Everybody's fortune, seems to be intrinsically linked with each other. "People are scared of fuel prices, airport charges that go up and down and are waiting for the regulatory environment to pan out," said an official here on condition of anonymity. He did add that nothing much was expected to move till India's e...

Neelam Mathews Jan 17, 2012 The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has for the first time met with around 45 stakeholders associated with helicopter operations- pilots, OEMs and operators to discuss adherence to safety guidelines during the upcoming elections. Last week, the DGCA had issued an air safety circular on various issues related to operation of small aircraft and helicopters. While the DGCAs attempt to engage the industry has been applauded, there is serious concern about the implementation of a pre-flight medical checkup for all flights during the elections. “We cannot carry a doctor with us on every flight. We fly to remote helipads around the country. This is not practically thought out at all,” says an operator. There are some 700-800 temporary helipads. Ground Handling at airports for general aviation has been a stressful point for operators forced to pay around Rs 15,000 for every sortie. “While this is perhaps OK for business jets, for helicopters, it totall...