Aerospace Diary

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE  »  APRIL 22, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS The state of Kerala in India plans to use houseboats as terminals for a new seaplane operation due to start in mid-May. April 22, 2013, 12:50 PM The state of Kerala in Southwest India has invested $2.2 million in a seaplane operation to promote major destinations located near its 24 lakes and water bodies known for backwater tourism and houseboats. Kerala Tourism Infrastructure ( KTIL ), the nodal agency for the project, awaits a Directorate General of Civil Aviation no-objection certificate ( NOC ), and plans a launch in mid-May. Of six operators that have shown interest, Kerala Seaplanes and Pinnacle Air, offering a mix of Twin Otters, Cessna Caravans and Cessna 206s, stand ready to start operations once they complete trial flights. As an incentive, the state has waived parking and landing charges for a year for those registered before January 3...

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  NOVEMBER 23, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS An Indian engineer performs a bench test of some avionics equipment. Government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is expanding its avionics capabilities. (Photo: HAL) November 23, 2012, 7:20 AM Government-owned Indian defense manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. ( HAL ) has launched a $12 million Strategic Electronics Manufacturing facility spread across 196 acres in Kasargod in the southern state of Kerala. It will produce advanced avionics for aircraft and helicopters. The facility is the manufacturing extension of  HAL ’s Hyderabad-based R&D unit for avionics–the Strategic Electronics Research and Design Center. The new factory will make airborne special purpose systems, such as mission computers, display processors and radar computers for the Russian MiG-27 and Su-30 combat aircraft, and the Indian light combat aircraft ( LCA ).   AI...