Aerospace Diary

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE  »  AUGUST 29, 2014 by    NEELAM MATHEWS Indian Air Force chief of staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha flew the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad in June this year. August 27, 2014, 10:17 AM As part of its offset agreement related to a purchase by India’s air force, Pilatus Aircraft has signed a 10-year contract with Tata Advanced Systems ( TASL ) for the Indian company to supply aerostructures for the  PC -12  NG  utility turboprop single. Tata will replace existing supplier  PZL -Swidnik of Poland. This is India’s first major private partnership, and results from the 30-percent offset obligation (worth about $165 million) that Pilatus incurred in its sale of 75  PC -7 Mk  II  trainers and associated systems to the Indian Air Force ( IAF ). The  PC -7 contract also requires Pilatus to cooperate with Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ) in creat...

AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS  »  MARCH 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS  and  CHARLES ALCOCK March 3, 2013, 2:15 AM Though largely overshadowed by a heavy military presence, the business aviation sector made its voice heard at last month’s  Aero India show  in Bangalore (February 6 to 10). Serious obstacles continue to stand in the way of those trying to fulfill bizav’s undoubted potential in this vast emerging market  (see box) , but this has not deterred the major manufacturers from increasing their presence in India. During the show  Embraer  signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mumbai-based  Indamer to provide maintenance support for the Legacy 500 . The midsize jet, which is expected to enter service next year, is currently in the flight-test stage following last year’s  maiden flight of the first prototype . Certification now is expected by the middle of next year, ac...

Neelam Mathews Jan 21, 2013 Radha Krishna Mathur, Secretary Defense Production who moved last year to the MoD from being Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, seems to have tapped on his experience adeptly. This is apparent in the numerous MSMEs participating in the air show this year. All hoping to get a piece of the offsets pie, we assume. It is clear this year, the 9 th Aero India starting Feb 6, despite brave attempts, is not as dazzling as the previous years given that all the bidders of the MMRCA will not be there to wow the viewers. Add to it, a dithering economy with the defense budget sure to be diced taking away the sheen from future procurements. Also, let’s face it, India hasn’t delivered with the speed it was expected to. We were told at a press conference held today the show would be "bigger and better" than the previous ones. However, with a fortnight left, aircraft confirmed for participation this year are 52 as against 63 i...

Neelam Mathews Nov 5, 2012 Defense Minister A.K Antony has told a consultative committee that included the IAF to complete all pending Court of Inquiry proceedings into air accidents especially for category-I aircraft accident as early as possible. Category-I accidents are those in which the aircraft is destroyed, damaged beyond economical repair, missing or if the cost of repair, excluding damage to aero-engines, exceeds 50% of the total cost.  Antony said an inspection of helicopters detachments was carried as there was “an unusually high number of accidents and incidents on helicopters,”, while operating away from their parent base.  The inspections resulted in highlighting several shortcomings for which “action is being taken on these shortcomings on a priority basis.” Training standards of the younger fighter aircrew, is a focus, said Antony. The basic flying training is being shifted from HPT-32 to Kiran aircraft.  “To make up for the deficiencies of ...

Neelam Mathews Oct 5, 2012 The delay in production of India’s intermediate jet trainer (IJT) by government-owned defense manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has the Indian air force worried as these are to  replace the present ageing trainers Kirans Mk II retiring by 2015, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal N.A.K.Browne  said in an exclusive interview. The IJT, a stage-II trainer is used for training before pilots advance to the final BAE Hawk Advanced jet trainers- 123 were ordered under two contracts- and another 20 are in the offing to replace the Kiran acrobatic team being by rookie pilots. India recently ordered 75 Pilatus PC-7 MkII basic trainers as its indigenous obsolescent, single piston-engine HPT-32 basic trainers were grounded. “The loss of 17 aircraft and 19 pilots had resulted in pilots losing confidence in the safety and performance of the aircraft,” a defense official said on condition of anonymity. HPT-32 trainers had a take-off spee...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Aug 28, 2012 Defense Minister replies to questions in Parliament on- TRAINER AIRCRAFT IN IAF The HPT-32 aircraft being used as Basic Trainer Aircraft since 1986 were grounded in July 2009 due to safety reasons. Thereafter, the basic training has been shifted to Kiran Mk 1/1A aircraft earlier utilized for Intermediate training A contract for procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft was signed with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Switzerland on 24 th  May 2012. The procurement of the Basic Trainer Aircraft was processed through a multi-vendor procurement as per DPP-2008 and the Swiss company, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, emerged as the L1 vendor. The delivery of these 75 aircraft is scheduled from February 2013 to August 2015 TATRA TRUCKS DEAL The matter is under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It has also registered a regular case, on 30.3.2012, against one of the owners and unknown persons of a UK based company, unknown of...

Pilatus Confirms Indian PC-7 Trainer Order AIN Defense Perspective » May 25, 2012 by  Neelam Mathews   India chose the PC-7 Mk II over four competing turboprop trainers. (Photo: Pilatus Aircraft)   May 25, 2012, 11:43 AM Pilatus Aircraft confirmed that the Indian Air Force ( IAF ) has chosen the Pilatus PC -7 Mk II as its new basic trainer. The Swiss company values the contract, signed on May 24, at more than $525 million. It includes 75 aircraft, an integrated ground-based training system and logistics support. Deliveries will begin in the last quarter of this year. The contract includes an option for Hindustan Aeronautics ( HAL ) to license-build a further 106 of the turboprops. Pilatus expressed optimism that HAL will exercise the option within the stipula...

EBACE Convention News » May 16, 2012 by  Neelam Mathews May 15, 2012, 2:30 PM A Pilatus PC-12NG with special Formula 1 livery showing the Sauber C31 race car, will fly the Sauber F1 Team direct to the racetracks of Europe in 2012. On its first mission last weekend, it flew the eight-man team, plus team manager Peter Sauber, to the first race in Spain landing in Sabadell, a small aerodrome with a 3,300ft runway, close to the Barcelona circuit. “One of the best features of the PC-12 is its ability to land on, and take off from, very short runways,” said Sauber. “It leaves us free to avoid the big, inefficient airports. We were back at the aircraft within a few minutes of the race finishing and airborne shortly afterwards, thanks to the smooth air traffic control service. We really can save a lot of time, and that obviously means greater efficiency and a better quality of life for ou...

AK Antony defense minister in parliament today Neelam Mathews March 19, 2012 On Basic Trainers and AJTs Following the grounding of HPT-32 aircraft due to flight safety concerns and shifting of basic flying training to Kiran Mk-I/IA aircraft, the syllabus for basic flying training has been reduced, keeping the available resources in mind. However, flying hours have been increased in other stages of flying to ensure wholesome training, said AK Antony defense minister in parliament today. “A proposal is being progressed for the procurement of 75 Basic Trainer Aircraft from Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland….….The delivery of the basic trainer aircraft from M/s Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland is scheduled to commence 15 months from signing of the contract. “There has been no delay in acquiring Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). The Hawk-132 Advanced Jet Trainer has been selected for the Indian Air Force. A total of 106 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft are being inducted into the In...