Aviation India: Press Releases

Emirates Announces the Launch of “Share a Smile”

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:50:58 +0000

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines unveiled a new campaign showcasing the lighter side of language. Named “Share a Smile” the airline has created 29 videos in 14 languages featuring members of its cabin crew expressing quirky and unusual expressions and greetings from around the world.
The campaign was created by Emirates to help “globalistas” connect with each other through watching the videos and sharing them with their friends and family.
“Share a Smile” is the latest step in Emirates’ global brand campaign Hello Tomorrow, launch in April 2012 which aims to inspire people across the world to explore and connect with each other across cultures and borders.
Through the set of light-hearted 15 second animated videos designed to make people smile, Emirates’ multilingual crew explain the meaning behind popular local phrases like ‘Don’t make an elephant out of a fly’ (Russian), ‘You’re so pretty it made a bang’ (Cantonese) and ‘You’re the cat’s whiskers’ (English). There is also a compilation behind the scenes out-takes video showing the fun the crew had making the films.
“Emirates ‘Share a Smile’ has been created to showcase not only the breadth of linguistic skills amongst our international and multi-lingual crew, it is also intended to help build cultural understanding in a light-hearted way amongst travellers,” said Sir Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice President Emirates Airline and Group. “As we researched the phrases it became apparent that although many may sound unusual to non-native speakers when they first listen to them, when the translated meaning is given the sentiments resonate internationally. ‘Share a Smile’ is meant to do just that, encourage “globalistas” to learn about different cultures in an amusing way. The campaign is a celebration of how a kind word or phrase can connect friends and strangers alike across the world.”
The cabin crew who star in the videos were selected in recognition of their outstanding levels of service and native language ability. “Our cabin crew speak over 55 languages and on every flight we announce to our customers which ones are spoken on board that day. It is always an impressive list and something that is regularly commented on,” said Terry Daly, Divisional Senior Vice President Service Delivery, Emirates. “Showcasing many of these languages in the ‘Share a Smile’ campaign demonstrates that it is quite likely a member of cabin crew will speak the native language of our customers. This will help them feel even more welcome and helps us to deliver the highest level of customer service for which Emirates is renowned.”
The 29 videos in the campaign have been filmed in 14 languages: Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. They can all be viewed and shared online by visiting: www.emiratesshareasmile.com or Emirates’ You Tube channel, www.youtube.com/Emirates.

Girish Paranjpe joins IBS Board

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:55:11 +0000

Trivandrum, Feb 12 2013: Former Wipro Co-CEO Mr Girish Paranjpe has joined the Board of IBS Software Services as an Independent Director. Mr Paranjpe served over twenty years at Wipro Limited, India’s third largest software company, building outsourcing business serving top global customers. He was Co-CEO and the Member of the Board from April 2008 till 2011 with responsibility for leading Wipro’s IT business worth USD 5.8 billion and employee strength of over one lakh spread over 54 countries. Earlier, he served Wipro as the CFO – IT Business from 1995-2000, Head – Financial Services for two years till 2002 and President – Financial Services Consulting & Marketing from 2002 to 2006.
Mr Paranjpe had represented Wipro and the IT Industry in various public forums including the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Information Technology, the NASSCOM, International Advisory Board of Credit Agricole and leading global business schools. Mr Paranjpe is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India.
“I am excited to be associated with IBS because of its unique business model. India has plenty of IT Services companies, but when it comes to the IP/Product space, India is yet to emerge and I believe that on this front, IBS has the potential to lead the way” said Girish Paranjpe.
“Girish brings on board, decades of expertise, experience and excellence and his presence on the Board will be of great value to the company’s business and brand. I extend a warm welcome to Girish and look forward to working with him,” said V K Mathews, Executive Chairman, while announcing this appointment after the recently-concluded IBS Board Meeting in Trivandrum.

Year-End-Review of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Year 2012

admin — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:53:30 +0000

Press Information Bureau, 28 December 2012: Civil Aviation has been identified as one of the most important growth engines essential for the economic growth of the country. Besides providing air transport for passengers and goods, it facilitates growth of trade and commerce, domestic and foreign investments, transfer of technology, creation of infrastructure, domestic and international tourism and generation of employment etc.
Air transport in India has witnessed enormous growth in the recent past. During the last 10 years, compounded annual growth rate of passenger traffic has been approximately 15%. A key trend in the business model of the Indian Carriers in the domestic operations is that the domestic traffic is rapidly shifting to Low Cost Carriers (LCC). From a level of about 1% in 2003-2004, the market share of LCC including the LCC arm of full service carriers is today exceeding 70% of the total domestic traffic.
India is likely to be the fastest growing aviation market in the world in the next 20 years. Estimates suggest that the domestic air traffic will touch 160–180 million passengers per annum in the next 10 years and the international traffic will exceed 80 million passengers per annum from the current level of 60 million domestic and 40 million international passengers respectively. According to International Air Transport Association’s Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016,India’s domestic air travel market would be among the top five globally, experiencing the second highest growth rate.
Keeping this in mind, a number of steps have been taken by the Government to accelerate the pace of growth of airline industry in the country. These have been summarized as follows:
1. EXPANSION AND UPGRADATION OF AIRPORTS:
At present 5 major airports are being operationalized under PPP mode at New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin. The new Terminal Building is under construction at Mumbai airport with Phase I of it for international operations likely to be ready by August, 2013, while Phase II for domestic operations will be ready by August, 2014. The existing Greenfield airport at Bangaluru is undergoing Phase-II expansion to meet the growing capacity demand. Airports Authority of India has undertaken expansion and upgradation of airports at Kolkata and Chennai.The Government of India has also approved 15 more airports under the Greenfield Airports Policy being developed, majority under PPP mode.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) is upgrading and modernizing airport infrastructure at Chennai, Kolkata and select non-metro airports in the country. During the year 2012, airport infrastructure has been developed and upgraded as below:
· New Integrated terminals equipped with modern state-of-the-art facilities commissioned at Indore, Lucknow and Raipur airports.
· Development of new Civil Enclaves completed at Bhatinda and Jaisalmer airports.
· New Domestic terminals completed / expanded at Rajahmundhry, Pudducherri and Gondia airports.
· Development of Jalgaon airport completed and commissioned for ATR-72 type of aircraft operations.
· Airside apron capacity increased at Chennai, Kolkata, Jammu, Surat and Tirupathi airports.
· Integrated Cargo Terminal completed at Chennai at a cost of Rs. 144.93 crores. Total enhanced handling capacity is 11 lacs MT/year.
· New terminals at Bhubaneswar and Ranchi airports are completed and shall be operationalized shortly after pre-commissioning trials of various services.
· Expansion and upgradation of airports at Chennai and Kolkata is completed at a cost of Rs. 2015 crores and Rs.2325 crores respectively. Trial operations have been successfully conducted through new terminal and are expected to be commissioned in January – February, 2013.
· Work has commenced for development of new Civil Enclave at Chandigarh Airport (Mohali side).
· Solar Photo-voltaic power plants have been commissioned at Corporate Headquarters at Safdarjung Airports, Jaisalmer, Guwahati and Raipur airports as initiative under Sustainable Development.
Declaration of Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Varanasi and Lucknow airports as International airports: So far there were 17 international airports. Five new airports at Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Varanasi and Lucknow have been added to the list this year. Earlier these airports were custom airports where all facilities as per extended norms of an international airport in terms of customs, immigration, health, animal & plant quarantine etc. were available on temporary basis. After these airports were declared as international airports, these facilities will be available on permanent basis which would open the door to have more international flights to different destinations.
2. TURN AROUND / FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING PLANS OF AIR INDIA:
The plan includes infusion of equity to the extent of approximately Rs. 30,000 crores over a period of next 10 years, issue of Government guaranteed Non-Convertible Debentures amounting to Rs.7,400 crore, induction of 27 B-787 (DreamLiner) upto March, 2016 and various other measures. However, the infusion of equity is not unconditional and shall be on the basis of achievement of milestones which have been fixed for Air India at different stages in terms of Passenger Load Factor (PLF), On-Time Performance (OTP), fleet utilisation, market-share etc.
Improvement in Performance of Air India
- There has been reduction in net losses of Air India by about Rs. 650 crores in the first 6 months of financial year 2012-13.
- PLF of Air India had reached 78.6% in November 2012 as against the TAP benchmark of 69.5%.
- Integration process of Indian Airlines and Air India as per the recommendations of Justice Dharmadhikari Committee Report is almost completed.
- Computerization of Flight and Cabin Crew Management System (Auto Roster) is in progress. It will be operational for pilots by January, 2013 and for cabin crew by February-March 2013. The new system is an algorithm that will automate the task of Flight Duty Assignments based on user defined rules, policies, parameters and constraints. Auto-Roster aims to equalize the flying hours (for past period or the roster period), sector flown (number of times and last date flown), day & night flights (diurnal distribution), flight operations type (domestic, regional, international), crew pairing rotation, number of landings and other user-defined parameters.
- Three B-787 Dreamliner aircrafts have been received and five more will be received during the current financial year.
- Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for Pilots and Cabin Crew has been implemented.
- Hiving off of MRO and Ground Handling Businesses of Air India into separate subsidiaries is in progress after approval given by the Government. Air India Engineering Services subsidiary will take care of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); while Air India Transport Services Services will take care of ground handling services, which includes jobs like ticket check-in into wholly owned subsidiaries of the airline.
- Up-to-date payment of salaries to staff till the month of November, 2012 has been made.
- No more free excess baggage is being allowed in Air India to anybody now.
3. FDI BY FOREIGN AIRLINES IN INDIAN CIVIL AVIATION:
The Government has allowed 49% FDI by the foreign airlines in the domestic carriers. It is expected that this step would bring in much needed equity infusion in the domestic carriers. The FDI will be subject to certain safeguards including Government approval route and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of SEBI. It will require clearance from Home Ministry and FIPB.
4. ALLOCATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC RIGHTS
The Government has adopted a pragmatic policy to allocate traffic rights to private Indian carriers on various international routes. In November, 2012, the traffic rights to Indian carriers were allocated much in advance upto Winter-2013 season so as to remove uncertainties about traffic rights and give them enough time for making their preparations. The total bilateral traffic rights allocated to Indian carriers including Air India upto Summer-2012 were 1074 services per week, have now increased to the level of 1695 services per week in the next Winter-2013 schedule, which is an enhancement of more than 60%. Besides this, a number of new international routes have been opened for Indian carriers to fly in the next 3 seasons as follows:
- Air India: Delhi-Rome-Madrid/ Barcelona; Delhi-Moscow; Delhi-Sydney/ Melbourne; Mumbai-Nairobi, Mumbai-Al Najaf (Iraq)
- Jet Airways: Mumbai-Jakarta; Delhi-Barcelona; Mumbai-Zurich; Delhi-Tashkent; Mumbai-Ho Chi Minh City
- Spicejet: Lucknow- Al Najaf (Iraq); Varanasi- Al Najaf (Iraq); Delhi-Macau; Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City
5. INITIATIVES IN THE AREA OF AIR NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken a number of initiatives to upgrade Airport and Airspace infrastructure to cater to the continued growth in air traffic with enhanced safety and efficiency. AAI as Air Navigation Service Provider, responsible for provision of Air Navigation Services in the delegated airspace, has embarked upon ANS infrastructure upgradation strategy with the objective of ensuring safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness of aircraft operations with environmental benefits on a long-term and sustainable basis. The comprehensive strategy has been to transition from voice to data-link, transition from ground based navigation to satellite based navigation, augmentation of Radar surveillance, implementation of ATM Automation and enhancement in ATM procedures.
Navigation: AAI has installed 66 Instrument landing systems and 93 VOR/DME which provide navigational guidance to aircraft. In addition, Satellite Based Navigation System (SBAS) called GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system is being jointly developed and implemented by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The GAGAN is designed to provide the improved accuracy, availability, and integrity necessary to enable users to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, from en route through approach for all qualified airports within the GAGAN service volume. GAGAN will also provide increased positional accuracy of aircraft thereby permitting enhanced safety and operational efficiency. The system will be commissioned by June 2013. India is the fourth country in the world, after USA, JAPAN and Europe to take up the challenge of establishing the regional SBAS Navigation System which will redefine the navigation over Indian airspace and other states falling in the footprint of GAGAN.
Enhanced Air and Ground Surveillance: In addition to the existing Radars at 13 sites, 9 more Secondary Surveillance Radars have been commissioned to ensure that aircraft are seen on the Radar display by the controllers throughout their flight from departure to destination. This ensures safety, provision of reduced distance between aircraft allowing the controller to accommodate more flights in a given airspace/airport. 8 more Radars are also under implementation to ensure total seamless radar coverage in the country. 14 ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance –Broadcast) systems which support Radar-like services have also been installed at 14 airports to provide back-up cover to Radars. ADS-B will also provide direct routing to aircraft in medium-density airports (where Radar is not installed), thereby accommodating more number of arrivals/departures from those airports.
ATM Automation: Advanced ATM Automation Systems have been implemented at 38 airports in addition to Metro airports, providing the controllers with advanced Safety nets, tools and safety features for enhancing safety and efficiency.
Integration of Radar Data into Automation system: Radar data from Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Porbander and Udaipur Radars have been integrated in to the Automation system at Ahmedabad.
Enhancement in ATM procedures: Performance Based Navigation procedures exploiting avionics & ground infrastructure and providing optimized and accurate flight paths for departures and arrivals have been implemented at all major airports. The initiative has enhanced Safety and efficiency of aircraft operations.
In addition to the above initiatives that have enhanced safety, efficiency and capacity of airspace and airports, AAI is implementing Air Traffic Flow Management which will ensure that air traffic demand and capacity is balanced and delay to aircraft in the air and ground is eliminated.
Due to above efforts for safety, the International Jane’s ATC Award 2102 was conferred on AAI at Amsterdam for achieving best operational efficiency among many major ANSPs in the world is a testimony to AAI’s ANS achievements in the Region.
6. SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCEDURE FOR SANCTION OF BUILDINGS AROUND AIRPORTS
Government has decided to do away with the system of taking NOC from AAI every time and has now prescribed the height at different distances from the airports upto which the local municipal authority will be empowered to sanction the map as per their bye-laws. In this regard, Airports Authority of India (AAI) would prepare colour coded zoning maps in a grid format for each airport. For buildings whose height exceeds the height indicated in the zoning map, the designated officer/office of AAI would assess the obstructions to be caused by the proposed building. If the design and orientation of the proposed building can suitably be amended to meet the regulations, NOC may be given, otherwise not.
7. DOMESTIC OPERATIONS
In the year 2012, scheduled domestic airlines operated more than 11,500 departures per week connecting 77 airports. A new daily flight has been introduced from 26th December, 2012 on the route Delhi-Varanasi-Agra-Khajuraho to link these cities of historical importance on air map.
8. HELICOPTER CONNECTIVITY TO VRINDAVAN
Vrindavan was connected with Delhi by Helicopter service from 28th November, 2012. The service is being operated by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. Pawan.
9. AIRCARFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BUREAU
Government has set up an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to efficiently investigate the accidents and to recommend effective corrective measures.
10. PERMISSION TO IMPORT ATF
The Government has allowed import of ATF by Indian carriers, which will bring much required competition among the oil marketing companies apart from huge cost saving to the India carriers.
11. OTHER PRIORITY ISSUES BEFORE THE MINISTRY
Development of Low Cost Airports: In an endeavour to provide air connectivity to different parts of India, development of low cost airports is the most important component. Instructions have been issued to AAI to identify the most suitable low cost model for development of smaller airports and to develop airports in the smaller cities based on this mode.
Connectivity to Smaller and Remote Parts of India: The top most priority is to provide air connectivity to remote and interior areas of the country, North Eastern Region, Tier-II & Tier-III cities of India and other smaller cities of the country. Connectivity which is proposed to be provided would be customer oriented in terms of affordability and cost of travel. The Ministry has engaged internationally renowned firm “Deloitte” as a Consultant to identify the factors that are inhibiting the growth of domestic connectivity and what needs to be done in this regard. The outcome of the study will form the basis of the implementation of various measures for providing better domestic connectivity. This would also include enhancement of present operations of helicopters and construction of heliports to improve the connectivity to smaller places including the places of religious and tourist importance.
Enhancement of Helicopter connectivity: The Government is also working to develop Heliports in different parts of the country to make Helicopter operations to inaccessible areas for the purpose of air connectivity, religious, other tourism and for medical purposes. Pawan Hans with a mix fleet of about 50 Helicopters has a cliental from diversified sectors. It is successfully operating Helicopter services to several pilgrim centres including Mata Vaishno Devi, Kedarnathji, Amarnathji, Vrindavan and Badrinathji. It is also operating services in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and plans to shortly start services in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh. Pawan Hans is now planning to venture into fixed wing aircraft and seaplane operations. It has also recently conducted a detailed study in Uttar Pradesh to connect Buddhist Circuit in association with UP Tourism by Helicopter and has plans to extend Helicopter services on these destinations in near future.
Creation of Civil Aviation Authority: To manage the phenomenal growth of air traffic with safety, an effective, autonomous and professional regulatory body is required and a Bill in this regard will soon be brought before the Parliament.
Creation of Civil Aviation Security Force: To strengthen the Civil Aviation Security in the country, Ministry of Civil Aviation engaged a team of experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to carry out a detailed study of the existing security system at the airports and suggest measures to improve the same. The ICAO study report, which has been accepted by the Government, has suggested establishing a dedicated Aviation Security Force (ASF) under the command and control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation which is supposed to be completely integrated with the aviation industry, in line with the practices across the world. To pursue the matter further, a sub-group was constituted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to examine the recommendations of ICAO study report on creation of a dedicated specialized ASF. This sub-group has also recommended constitution of a dedicated, specialized ASF under the command and control of Ministry of Civil Aviation. Further, necessary action has been initiated to approach Cabinet Committee on Security for seeking its approval.
ATF Related Issues: ATF constitutes approximately 40% to 50% of operating expenses of Indian Airlines. Efforts are on to rationalise the price of ATF by getting it declared as a notified product under PNGRB Act to bring it under the ambit of PNGR Board. The major contributor to the high prices of ATF is the VAT levied by various State Governments ranging from 4% to 30%. Efforts are also on to persuade the State Governments to reduce the VAT on ATF so as to bring down the prices of ATF and discussions with a number of States have already taken place in this regard. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also proposed to include ATF in the list of declared goods.
Skill augmentation in civil aviation sector through a vibrant, world class aviation education and training: In this regard, the work to establish a Civil Aviation University is under progress.

Air India: Ajit Singh Suggests Cost Cutting Measures to Bridge the Gap Between Cash Inflow and Outflow

admin — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:35:24 +0000

Press Information Bureau, December 20, 2012: Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh today reviewed in detail the functioning of Air India which included revenue generation and cash flow management, status of implementation of Computerized Management System for Pilots and Cabin Crew, Status of operations of B-787 and other matters envisaged in the TAP/ FRP.
Shri Singh expressed concern over the estimated monthly average cash flows of Air India for the period October-March of the current Financial Year which shows a net shortfall of Rs. 404 Crores per month with inflows being at Rs. 1348 Crores and outflows estimated to be Rs. 1752 Crores. He said that though there is an overall improvement in the performance of Air India, it is important that the revenue generated should meet the costs incurred. The Minister asked Air India to go into minute operational details to cut the costs including costs incurred on overseas offices, salaries, fuel and office expenses. The Minister directed to examine the necessity of deputing staff abroad for assisting Air India/ embassies for ticketing etc since now- a-days these facilities are available online. He further asked Air India to negotiate with public sector oil marketing companies for the same discount as they are providing to international and domestic carriers. The Minister said that Air India should think out of the box to change its image of being a public sector unit and transform it to a commercial organization.
While noting that three B-787 Dreamliner aircrafts have been received and five more will be received during the current financial year, which the Air India plans to fly to Sydney, Melbourne & Singapore, Shri Ajit Singh asked to explore possibility of flying also to Indonesia including Bali and Istanbul and beyond.
Air India informed that the Crew Management System (Auto Roster) will be operational for pilots by the next month and for cabin crew by February-March next year. The new system is an algorithm that automates the task of Flight Duty Assignments based on user defined rules, policies, parameters and constraints. Auto-Roster aims to equalize the flying hours (for past period or the roster period), sector flown (number of times and last date flown), day & night flights (diurnal distribution), flight operations type (domestic, regional, international), crew pairing rotation, number of landings and other user-defined parameters.
The Minister also expressed concern about On Time Performance (OTP) of Air India and asked for taking all steps to improve it. He said priority should be given for providing adequate training to pilots and optimally utilizing the maximum allowed duty hours as he is still getting complaints in this regard.
The review meeting also discussed the need to screen the employees including the cabin crew on various parameters such as medical fitness.
Shri Singh expressed satisfaction over the payment of salaries to the employees till November, 2012. He stressed on regular payment of salaries to the employees by a fixed cut-off date. He said that out of Rs. 2000 crores which Air India is to receive next month in the form of equity as budgetary support, Rs. 500 Crores must be utilized to clear all arrears of the employees.

New CMS by Air India

admin — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:33:12 +0000

Press Informatio Bureau, December 14, 2012: Air India has initiated the launch of the Computerized Management System (CMS) for Cabin Crew deployed on both Wide Body and Narrow Body aircrafts. The Salient features of the said system are as follows:-
i) The CMS has Cabin Crew web Portal wherein the Cabin Crew are able to see the programme on ARMS on a daily basis.
ii) Personal details of Cabin Crew can be accessed by crew and changes can be made by them, which will be verified by the nominated Crew Web Portal Administrators.
iii) Roster was uploaded in ARMS for Mumbai Based Cabin Crew to facilitate smooth continuation for the planned roster of December.
iv) This system will reduce the scope of subjectivity and favouritism as it will be a more transparent method of Crew Management System.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri K.C. Venugopal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

AI Ground Handling Business

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:36:06 +0000

Press Information Bureau, December 12, 2012: In order to comply with the new ground handling policy issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and to meet the competition posed by the new ground handling agencies, Air India has entered into a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement’ with M/s. Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) on 50: 50 share holding basis to provide ground handling services to Air India and its client airlines’ flights at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. This JV will enable AI-SATS to earn more profit revenue with their international expertise and Air India will share profits with SATS on 50: 50 bases.

Ligare flysims puts the first elite helicopter simulator in india to work

admin — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:07:06 +0000

The first Elite Simulation Solutions helicopter simulator in India is now at work to help teach students to fly the machines.
The Elite S723 FNPT II is being operated by Ligare Flysims at its facility in Andheri, Mumbai. With a huge and growing need for trained professionals, Ligare Flysims has in recent years taken a number of steps to offer quality based training to people wanting to develop their aviation careers.
Ligare Flysims says that it is expensive for Indian professional helicopter pilots and aspirants to go abroad to train, that the simulator is helping reduce costs and downtime for students using it and that, with this simulator and other equipment, their facility has the latest technology aids to be able to offer a truly world class training experience. Courses meeting international standards are developed by Ligare Flysim’s helicopter examiners and Elite’s experts.
Sandeep Bhatt, a director of Ligare Flysims, said:“Indian aviation has seen many challenges. With the Government’s involvement, Indian aviation evaluates new business models and joint investments to help establish long term goals. We are committed to make India the preferred choice for development and training. ”
“We are delighted to have set up a DGCA (India Directorate General of Civil Aviation) approved Eurocopter AS350B Squirrel helicopter simulator, which is upgradeable to the AS355 Twin Squirrel. It has full autopilot capability with flight director and navigation coupling to GPS and VOR, airport scenery, off shore oil rig platforms, RealView and wind and cloud layers. It can be used for PPL(H), CPL(H), ATPL(H), IFR and IR training including emergencies, systems training, refresher training and tasks including autorotation exercises and instrument manoeuvres.”
Ligare Flysims has appointed Group Captain Kaushik Pathak as A2 instructor and simulator instructor.
He said: “Our tailor-made courses use the Elite simulator system, which is user friendly and easy to operate. The visuals and GPS database are realistic and the depiction of aircraft instruments and Com/Nav panels are accurate and directly relate to aircraft. The control input response is representative of actual flying.”
Ligare Flysim is part of the wide ranging Indian business group Ligare Voyages, with headquarters in New Delhi.
The sale of the Elite S723 FNPT II was handled by Elite’s authorised dealer for India, SRK Aviacom (I) Pvt Ltd, of New Delhi, who have previously placed a number of Elite simulators in India for fixed-wing training.

navAero receives Airbus A300 and A310 EASA STC for t–Bag™C22 Electronic Flight Bag System

admin — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:04:07 +0000

SUNDSVALL, SWEDEN, November 20, 2013 — navAero announces the t–Bag™C22 Electronic Flight Bag system has been awarded an EASA Supplementary Type Certificate (STC) 10040961 for Airbus A30 and A310 series aircrafts.
The navAero t▪BagC22 Class 2 EFB brings state-of-the-art technology to 1970’s era aircrafts and provides a robust and aircraft-integrated platform for the hosting and display of enhanced situational awareness applications.
The deployed architecture consists of dual cross-connected t–Bag C22 EFB systems. The certification includes all the navAero t–Pad™ series 10.4” displays – giving operators numerous options to choose from to meet their specific requirements. The t–Bag C22 system also includes built-in wireless communication capabilities (both 3G and 802.11b/g) for on-ground data connectivity.
ARINC 429 and 717 data will be provided to the dual t–Bag C22 EFBs through the deployment of the navAero Aircraft Interface Device (AID) which is an integrated part of the overall navAero system architecture. This STC’d technology solution enables operators to utilize data from onboard systems to automatically populate EFB-hosted third party software applications as well as initiate on-ground message and data transfers as required for paperless operation.
navAero Executive VP, Simone Giordano, states “The ability to revitalize aging aircraft through the installation of state-of-the-art EFB technology is what navAero is all about. This STC shows once again that our t–Bag™C22 Electronic Flight Bag system meets all the European regulatory requirements to be a highly integrated part of a modern airline and provide end-to-end connectivity.”
Giordano continued: “We are proud to be able to provide our EASA and other customers with a deeply integrated technology solution to run the most demanding and advanced software applications to achieve a cost reducing, environmentally friendly and safety enhancing Class 2 EFB solution for use in the Airbus A300 and A310.”
The certification and engineering activities were performed in cooperation with AERO Vodochody, established certification partner of navAero also for the A330 and A340 EASA STC. Deployments are currently in progress and installation kits are available for immediate delivery.

About navAero:
navAero, Inc. is the world leader in developing and commercializing cost effective electronic flight bag products. Currently navAero offers the following EASA approved solutions: A300/310, A318/319/320/321, A330-200/300, MD80/81/82, B737-300/400/500/600/700/800/900, 747-200/400, B757-200/300, B767-200/300/400, BAe-146 / Avro-RJ70/85/100, EMB-135 and CL-601 aircrafts.

Gulfstream Aerospace Launches Flight Operations Department in Asia

admin — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:02:20 +0000

ZHUHAI, China, Nov 14, 2012 – (ACN Newswire) – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has established a satellite flight department in Hong Kong to support Gulfstream operators in Asia. The office is staffed by five pilots: three large-cabin demonstration pilots, one mid-cabin demonstration pilot and a chief pilot type-rated in both large- and mid-cabin aircraft.
The pilots work closely with customers and their local aircraft management companies to facilitate the transfer of Gulfstream aircraft into the region. Additionally, they assist in the transit of aircraft to and from the United States, provide entry-into-service flying for customers and support regional air shows.
“The move reflects Gulfstream’s continued commitment to assisting customers around the world,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Gulfstream. “Our operators in Asia can leverage the collective experience of our pilots, who will work with their aircraft management company to ensure their aircraft delivery and entry-into-service are as smooth as possible.”
The five-person department is located in Gulfstream’s Hong Kong Product Support office at the modern Citygate complex in the Tung Chung section of Hong Kong, near Hong Kong International Airport.
“We selected Hong Kong because of its central location, providing us access to India, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia,” Neal said. “Putting a flight department there broadens our availability to customers.”
Nearly 200 Gulfstream business jets are registered in the Asia-Pacific region.

About Gulfstream
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,000 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150(R); the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200(R); the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G280(R); the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350(R); the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450(R); the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550(R); the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550(R) and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650(R). Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales(R). The company employs more than 12,500 people at 12 major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft atwww.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 93,500 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet atwww.generaldynamics.com.

Singapore Airlines launches SwiftBroadband-based connectivity for Long-haul Fleet

admin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:50:31 +0000

LONDON and LONG BEACH – 18 September 2012 – APEX EXPO (Booth 1231): Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced that Singapore Airlines will provide Wi-Fi and GSM passenger connectivity on its long-haul fleets, using OnAir’s connectivity services operating over Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband.
Following an introductory launch earlier in the year, inflight connectivity is now available on 14 Singapore Airlines aircraft, including all five Airbus A340-500s which are deployed on the world’s longest non-stop flights, between Singapore and both Newark and Los Angeles, as well as on Airbus A380-800s. It will also be available on the airline’s Boeing B777-300ERs.
Inmarsat SwiftBroadband is specifically designed to provide reliable and ubiquitous high data rate IP-based satellite communications coverage, to enable inflight connectivity for airlines and their passengers across the world. SwiftBroadband already delivers multiple channels of IP communications to aircraft and Inmarsat will continue to evolve the service in terms of bandwidth and applications in the coming months, further enhancing the business benefits of SwiftBroadband and giving its airline customers the competitive edge.
David Coiley, Inmarsat Vice President, Aviation, said, “Inmarsat welcomes Singapore Airlines as a SwiftBroadband customer. Singapore Airlines is one of the most prominent architects of the modern in-flight experience. The fact that this industry leader selected SwiftBroadband is a great testament to what can be achieved, now, with this much-trusted platform. Among the key strengths of SwiftBroadband are the consistency and reliability of the service, and its ubiquity, enabling passengers on SwiftBroadband-enabled aircraft to get connected wherever they are in the world. It sounds obvious to say, but airlines want to provide the same level of service wherever they are flying. Secondly, SwiftBroadband provides the optimum balance between quality of the passenger experience, and the best investment case for the airline.”