Hyderabad Aerospace & Aero Park Updates

[Gudavalli]

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/10447509.cms

CHENNAI/HYDERABAD: TVS and GMR, two of South India's most prominent family businesses, have been in a very silent joint venture in the aviation logistics space for more than a year-and-a-half now. Starting with the Hyderabad airport, where the JV is already operational, the plan is to go pan-national.

Such a coming together of these two groups has never been discussed in the media until now. The tie-up is between TVS Logistics, whose MD is R Dinesh, and GMR Hyderabad Airport Resource Management. GMR Group head GM Rao's son Kiran Kumar Grandhi is one of the directors of the JV. The TVS company, which has a 51% stake, didn't share details.

However, Hemanth DP, COO of the GMR group company, said the idea behind the alliance with TVS Logistics was mainly to tap road feeder services from and to the airport.

"TVS is a very established player in the trucking business. We are developing the feeder services as more and more airlines are in need of an extension of their network," he said.

"If you come in Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Hyderabad and go in a Jet Airways to Tirupati, technically you book one seat only but it is in two different airlines. Similarly, in the cargo business, we want to establish the road feeder network to connect the last leg. In some cases, it will be by road."

The JV is currently operating Aero Express, the bus service that connects the airport to major locations in the city. This is a service that has been scaled up in recent times with more frequency and routes.

Vikram R Jaisinghani, the GMR group company's CEO, said, "There is an opportunity for TVS to offer road feeder services and they may be one of the players in the logistics space at the airport." Then there are warehousing services, where GMR believes players like TVS can work with it.

Jaisinghani was bullish about his company's plan to develop a cargo hub. The JV has its origins in a company called Radi Logistics, where some TVS members had minor stakes and an associate of Dinesh owned the biggest stake.

[rizwan3]

http://news.in.msn.com/business/arti...mentid=5556662

31/10/2011
New MRO facility at Hyderabad Intl Airport to take off tmrw

Hyderabad, Oct 31 (PTI) The Airframe Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here is slated to commence operations tomorrow and has in- principle commitments from airlines to be its first customers, a senior MAS-GMR Aerospace Engineering official said today.
The new MRO facility was set up by MAS-GMR Aerospace Engineering Co Ltd (MGAE), a 50:50 joint venture between GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited and Malaysian Aerospace Engineering Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines System Bhd (MAS).
R V Seshan, the CEO of MGAE and GMR Group Executive Vice-President (Corporate Strategy and Planning), said the company has received statutory clearances from all regulatory bodies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to operationalise the facility from November 1.
"We have got all the statutory clearances from all the regulatory bodies including DGCA. We are ready to take off from November 1," Seshan told PTI.
However, while the company has in-principle commitments from key potential customers at this point of time, there were still formalities left to be completed, he said, declining to name the companies.
"They will have to complete other formalities, which will follow closely," said Seshan.
Seshan also said that for now, Jet Airways will have no part to play in the MRO facility. Jet Airways had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pick up a 26 per cent stake in MGAE.
However, the MOU was expired in August last year and Seshan indicated that the current partners in the JV were doing a rethink on the proposed stake sale and as of now, the facility will operate without investment by Jet Airways.
Sources said two Indian low-cost airlines -- SpiceJet and Kingfisher -- have already signed an agreement to use the facility.

Currently, the two companies send their aircraft to Malaysia for aircraft maintenance services.

"MGAE Management is working with airlines such as Go Airline, Indigo and Jet Airways... These firms have plans to expand the fleet," MAS Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Managing Director Mohammad Roslan told the Malaysian media recently.
MAS Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and low-cost carrier SpiceJet had earlier forged a three-year maintenance support agreement for SpiceJet''s fleet of Boeing 737 new generation series aircraft.

SpiceJet will be one of the first launch customer airlines of MGAE once the Hyderabad facility is commissioned. MORE PTI GDK ARV

[ygvjs2000]

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-tou...27-60-114.html
State tourism corporations amphibious dream

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is all set to introduce 'Sea plane service', a unique tourism package.
An amphibious aircraft carrying nine passengers can take off and land on either land or water. These seaplanes are designed for short distance services and currently, the APTDC is considering a tourism package covering Hyderabad, Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam.
�The tourism corporation has recently signed an MoU with the Mumbai-based Maritime Energy Heli Air (MehAir) Services in this regard and talks are in progress. The APTDC has agreed to set up the required facilities, while the MehAir would have to get clearance from the AP irrigation department under the purview of which fall the Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam dams.
Approval will also have to be taken from the Director General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi.
Sources say the proposed package could be launched within a month's time and a package involving 12 hours would be apt for covering the tourist destinations.
Meanwhile, the APTDC has also joined hands with Spice Jet this month, for its Tirupati air package.
B Manohar, APTDC deputy GM, informed that the corporation has a tie up with Jet Airways for its Tirupati air package and now Spice Jet has come forward to operate the same from all over the country starting from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. On the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 28, the APTDC had launched the much-awaited 'Helicopter City Tour', which covers major monuments in the city in a 15-minute air ride.
The aviation operator Deccan Aviations Pvt Ltd, has not been able to start operations till date, as it has not been able to obtain permission from the Director general of Civil Aviation, New Delhi. According to an official in the department, “The application is being considered and it has not been rejected so far. So there is hope that operations will start very soon”.

[kingkobra]

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/stone-lai...75-60-121.html

Stone laid for Akash Missile building

HYDERABAD: Union minister of state for defence M M Pallam Raju laid the foundation stone for Akash project building at Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) in Medak district on Friday.
The company bagged an order worth Rs 14,000 crore for supply of Akash Weapon system to the Indian Army.
Speaking on the occasion, Pallam Raju emphasised the need for timely delivery of the products to the Army.
Chairman and managing director of BDL Maj Gen Ravi Khetarpal said that setting up facilities for Akash missiles was one of the major steps of BDL. PK Mishra, joint secretary (missile systems) and others were present.

[ygvjs2000]

Hyderabad airport once again No.1 handling 5 to 15 million passengers
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide...s/20111227.htm
World's 20 BEST airports
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

For the second time in a row, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been rated the world's number one airport in the category of airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers by the Airport Council International.

Commercial flight operations began in 2008 in the second public-private partnership venture in India.

Spread across an area of 5,400 acres, the airport is designed by the London architecture firm Arup.

[Gudavalli]

Originally Posted by ygvjs2000

Hyderabad airport once again No.1 handling 5 to 15 million passengers
http://www.rediff.com/business/slide...s/20111227.htm
World's 20 BEST airports
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad

For the second time in a row, Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been rated the world's number one airport in the category of airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers by the Airport Council International.

Commercial flight operations began in 2008 in the second public-private partnership venture in India.

Spread across an area of 5,400 acres, the airport is designed by the London architecture firm Arup.

RGIA is a landmark in itself. There's no doubt about it. It is also good to see it sustain its position in the world

[Ron7]

Tata to set up new aerospace units

The Tata Group is planning to set up three more units as a part of its aerospace manufacturing initiative in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs10bn, according to a report. The report stated that the chief minister has assured support including speedy allotment of 125 acres of land near the Aerospace Special Economic Zone on the city outskirts.Besides Tata group, other companies such as Mahindra and TVS has keen interest in establishing their defence-related aerospace manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad.These new units will employ about 1,000 persons besides making an investment of about Rs. 10bn, adds report.

[ygvjs2000]

Terrific News:
Aero show: Sukhoi set for city

HYDERABAD: Short-range passenger aircraft Sukhoi SuperJet 100 (SSJ 100), a corporate jet from France and a host of other aircraft, choppers and beechcraft will enthrall people at the third edition of India Aviation-2012 to be held at the Begumpet airport between March 14 and 18.

The last two days of the expo would be open for public. However, this time there would be no aerobatics in the wake of the accident that killed two Navy pilots in 2010. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci), Delhi, is organising the exhibition and aviation companies from across the world would display their flying machines during the five-day exhibition.

"The United Aircraft Corporation has agreed to put Sukhoi SuperJet-100, designed to carry 98 passengers, on display at the expo. The SuperJet will land on March 17 and will fly out the next day," Ficci assistant secretary general (exhibition & trades) Vinay Shanka Mathur told TOI on phone.

France-based Airbus would unveil its 156-passenger capacity corporate jet, A 319. It is a slightly smaller version of Airbus-320 cornerstone single-aisle jetliner, he added.

Leading aeronautics firm Piaggio Aero Industries Spa would send its product, P 180 Avanti II, the fastest and most advanced executive/multi-utility turboprop in the world, he added.

Other international and national aviation companies including Bombardier, Canada (CRJ Jets), Dassault Aviation, France, ( Falcon), Embraer, Brazil (Exectuive Jets-Phenom 100, 300 and Legacy 650,) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, US, Hawker Beechcraft, US (Hawker 900, King Air 350 and Hawker 4,000), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore (Hansa, NM5 and Saras) have also confirmed their participation, the Ficci official said.

This year, UK would be the 'Partner Country', France 'Focus Country' and the US as the 'Guest Country'.

[ygvjs2000]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/11920194.cms
‘Sukhoi’ set to make maiden entry in city
HYDERABAD: If all goes well, the 'Sukhoi Superjet 100' could well be, for the first time ever, sharing airspace with the 'Dreamliner' (a midsized, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes) at the third edition of the India Aviation Show-2012, slated to kick-start in the city next month. According to key officials of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), co-organisers of the show along with the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Air India and Boeing are in talks to get the 'flying extravaganza' to Hyderabad and exhibit it before the 20,000-strong crowd, expected to throng the venue on the last two days. The event will be held between March 14 and 18.

Also, to make up for the missing aerobatics __ it has been discouraged this year in the light of the air crash in 2010 __ FICCI officials say that they have arranged for some special 'entertainment' for the public and expect it to be well-received. "We cannot divulge too much information at this stage as we are still in the process of finalising the schedule. We can, however, say that it is going to be something similar to the aerobatics seen in the past," a senior FICCI official said.

While the industry body on its part has brought onboard as many as 13 aircraft operators from across the globe to participate in the event, AAI has erected a Rs 3.5 crore worth state-of-the-art auditorium at the Begumpet airport, the official venue of the air show, to give the event an international feel. Even runways, parking areas and hangers have been revamped by the airport authorities, especially for the aviation show.

But even as preparations seem to be on a full swing for the much-awaited event, there seems to be some trouble brewing between the two primary organisers __ AAI and FICCI. According to sources, AAI officials are believed to have expressed concern over revenue sharing with FICCI.

While the official arrangement between the two parties states that revenue generated though the air show will be equally divided among them, AAI officials fear that it might not be the case eventually as monetary control lies with FICCI, citing certain misgivings they had with the industry body on the matter last year. "We have a 50-50 revenue sharing model but we had no idea about the total revenue collected last year."

Apparently, this year AAI is also trying to ensure that it gets more importance than it did last year. "But FICCI has already allotted prime slots to private exhibitors. While we agree that such a move would help us earn more money, it is important that the host organisation also gets prominence in the event. AAI has created some great work in the field of aviation (such as 'GAGAN' - GPS Aided Geo Augmentation Navigation), which we would like to exhibit during the show," said an AAI official on condition of anonymity.

FICCI officials, however, maintained that all was well between the two bodies. Speaking to TOI from Singapore, Vinay Shankar Mathur, assistant general secretary (trade fairs), FICCI, said, "There is absolutely no rift between us (AAI and FICCI). We had in fact handed over a chartered accountant-certified report to AAI on the revenue generated in 2010." Mathur also said that he had personally spoken to the chairman of AAI who had confirmed that there was no concern (with regard to revenue) on AAI's part.

[ygvjs2000]

Sikorsky, Tata to develop Hyderabad as chopper hub by 2013
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...r-hub-2013-874
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and American firm Sikorsky are planning to develop Hyderabad as the major hub for producing their S-92 Superhawk helicopters by the end of 2013.

The two companies have approached the government for a defence license after which they plan to produce 80 per cent of the component of the S-92 and its military variant H-92 at the Hyderabad facility of TASL.

"The Sikorsky-TASL Joint Venture has plans of developing our facility in Hyderabad as hub of our S-92 helicopter production and once we get the defence license, we will start producing 80 per cent of the content of the chopper there," Sikorsky India head Air Vice Marshal (retd) A.J.S. Walia told agencies here.

Currently, the facility produces smaller number of cabins but the capacity is being increased to produce three cabins a month.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan is the major supplier of these cabins and components to the American helicopter manufacturer.

Walia said the TASL will soon achieve a major milestone as the first cabin produced by it has been integrated into a full-fledged chopper in the US and is ready for delivery to a global customer in the next few weeks.

The first cabin was produced by the facility in November 2010 and was then shipped to Pennsylvania in the US for final integration into a final product.

The joint venture between TASL and Sikorsky was formed in 2009 and the Indian company has 74 per cent shares in it.

[ygvjs2000]

Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Air India livery to be showcased next month
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/12058913.cms
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: The much-awaited Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is expected to be soon inducted into Air India's fleet will be on display at an air show in Hyderabad from March 14 in the flag carrier's livery.

"The 787 with the Air India specifications as well as interiors, colours and logo of the flag carrier will be in the country from March 12 till March 16, 2012," a senior Air India official said.

"The aircraft will be showcased at India Aviation 2012 in Hyderabad from March 14 to March 16. This will a chance for everyone to have a look and feel of the aircraft."

The aircraft boasts of reduced operating costs in terms of maintenance, 20 percent less fuel consumption and enable faster turnarounds, resulting in more flying hours.

The plane can fly up to 16,000 km non-stop and is suitable for long to medium-haul routes like Mumbai-Sydney, Delhi-Tokyo, Delhi-New York or Delhi-Toronto.

According to the official, AI's B-787 will be equipped with best-in class seats for its 256 passengers and would sport beautifully designed interiors with warm colours.

"We have contracted the world's best seat manufacturers for our business and economy class seats including Contour Aerospace Limited and Weber Aircraft."

While Contour Aerospace Limited will provide the 18 business class seats, Weber would provide the 238 seats for the economy class section.

The in-flight-entertainment system, the AI official said, would be the state-of-the-art I8000 from electronics major Thales.

Air India had ordered 27 Boeing 787s in 2006 in a mega deal for 68 aircraft from Boeing. Till date, Air India and Jet Airways have ordered a total of 37 Dreamliners from Boeing.

The official, however, did not divulge the exact date of the aircraft's induction into the fleet. The aircraft was due to join the nation carrier by 2009 but was delayed due to the account of structural deficiencies in the hull of the aircraft that required modification.

It is expected that the national carrier would welcome its first passengers on the aircraft sometime in May. This will make the Indian flag carrier second airline in the world to fly the B-787.

The Dreamliner made its maiden flight to India in July, when Air India officials had inspected the aircraft.

[ygvjs2000]

B/E Aerospace opens engineering services division in Hyderabad
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfee...ad/969339.html
Hyderabad, Feb 29 (PTI) B/E Aerospace, a USA-based Nasdaq listed manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables, today said it has opened an engineering services division in the city. The B/E Engineering Services Division was formally inaugurated by Paul Mueller, in-charge of business and economic portfolio for the US consulate, a release issued by the company said. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting, oxygen, and food and beverage preparation and storage equipment. The company also provides cabin interior design, reconfiguration and passenger-to-freighter conversion services. Products for the existing aircraft fleet – the aftermarket – generate approximately 50 percent of sales, it said. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organisation. PTI GDK VKV

[ygvjs2000]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displaya...rnational&col=

Hyderabad may emerge Sikorsky’s
helicopter hub
HYDERABAD - Hyderabad, which has already established as a major centre for IT and pharma industry, is now all set to emerge as a major hub for the manufacture of helicopters by the end of next year.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a Tata Group company, and American firm Sikorsky have drawn up plans to manufacture S-92 Superhawk helicopters at the Hyderabad facility of TASL. The two companies have approached the government for a defence license after which they plan to produce 80 per cent of the components of the S-92 and its military variant H-92 at the Hyderabad facility. “The Sikorsky-TASL joint venture has plans of developing our facility in Hyderabad as hub of our S-92 helicopter production and once we get the defence license, we will start producing 80 per cent of the content of the chopper there,” Sikorsky India head Air Vice Marshal (retd) AJS Walia said.

India’s first indigenously developed helicopter cabin was rolled out of the aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) here in November 2010. It was then shipped to Pennsylvania in the US for final integration into a final product. The joint venture between TASL and Sikorsky was formed in 2009 and the Indian company has 74 per cent stake in it. Currently, the facility at Adibhatla near Hyderabad international airport, spread over 250 acres, produces smaller number of cabins but the capacity is being increased to produce three cabins a month.

“The Sikorsky-TASL Joint Venture has plans of developing our facility in Hyderabad as hub of our S-92 helicopter production and once we get the defence license, we will start producing 80 per cent of the content of the chopper there,” Sikorsky India head Air Vice Marshal (retd) AJS Walia said.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan is the major supplier of these cabins and components to the American helicopter manufacturer. Walia said that TASL would soon achieve a major milestone as the first cabin produced by it has been integrated into a full-fledged chopper in the US and is ready for delivery to a global customer in the next few weeks.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp is one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers and a subsidiary of US-based United Technologies Corp.

[Prodigist]

Sikorsky to set up global R&D hub in Hyderabad

Source: Financial Chronicle

Having launched a massive hunt, Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of US-based United Technologies has zeroed-in on India as its research and development hub for catering to its global operations. It proposes to set up its R&D base in Hyderabad shortly. This will be in sync with the company’s move to manufacture large chunk of components for its helicopters in the country for global markets.

“We see opportunities not just for manufacturing, but for R&D as well. It would provide opportunities internal to the country as well as globally for helicopters. With our aerospace experience, we see a natural alignment here to tap technical expertise,” Mark Miller, VP (research & engineering), Sikorsky Aircraft who is on his first visit to India told Financial Chronicle. He, however, declined to comment on the number of people that the firm is looking to hire in India.

The Indian R&D hub will be its biggest such center in Asia, as the firm has minimal R&D operations in other Asian countries. The upcoming center in Hyderabad will operate in direct co-ordination with ‘Sikorsky Innovations’ — the firm’s US-based R&D headquarters. Sikorsky operates two manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad — TASL (Tata Advanced Systems), a helicopter cabin making JV with the Tata Group in which it owns 26 per cent stake and Tara Aerospace Systems, which manufactures helicopters components.

Miller revealed that Sikorsky is looking for potential collaborations in India to boost technical expertise for local know-how. The firm is looking to form one such collaboration with a BSE-listed technological design firm Tata Elxsi, part of the Tata Group. “We looked at Tata Elxsi and we will see how might we partner with them. We can leverage two skill sets and put them together,” Miller said.

The firm is also in final stages of finalising a tie-up with another local technological firm to boost its ‘technology mix’. It didn’t share the name of the firm. Tara aerospace systems may also provide helicopter components to American aerospace company Lockheed Martin, whose manufacturing facility is based in the same city, Miller said.

Though only about 300 helicopters ply in India, the demand is expected to surge manifold in next few years with government preparing infrastructure for helipads coupled with rising number of billionaires needing an alternative to combat road traffic.

[seenu124]

http://www.livemint.com/2011/03/0300....html?atype=tp


Sikorsky to make helicopters in India for local, overseas markets
US company looking at manufacturing choppers by 2015-16; will design and make both civilian and military helicopters

US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. plans to design and manufacture civilian and military helicopters in India for the local and Asia-Pacific market in four years, the first time a foreign aircraft company will use the country’s aerospace know-how to make choppers for the overseas market.

“We are looking at manufacturing an indigenous helicopter by 2015-16. We already have the helicopters that are suitable for the Indian climate,” said Arvind Jeet Singh Walia, managing director (India and South Asia) at Sikorsky Aircraft. “We intend developing further technologies to cater to defence requirements for high-altitude and high-performance machines.”

He did not give details of the investment involved in the proposed manufacturing plan.

Sikorsky, a unit of American military contractor United Technologies Corp. and one of the world’s largest helicopter makers, has an existing tie-up with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, a Tata group company, to make helicopter cabins for the global market.

A boom in India’s civil aviation market, among the fastest growing in the world, and a military upgradation plan that may be worth $100 billion (Rs.4.5 trillion) in the next 10 years, is persuading global aircraft makers to form joint ventures with local companies to take advantage of the business opportunity. India has an offset clause for high-value defence purchases that requires overseas companies to base part of the manufacturing in the country.

At the same time, global aerospace firms, facing a shortage of skilled workers back home, are seeking to take advantage of local talent groomed by India’s nascent aerospace industry, which is led by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the only company that has the capability of manufacturing helicopters in the country.

Roughly a quarter of the 637,000 aerospace workers in the US could be eligible for retirement this year, raising fears that the country may face a skills shortage in factories that make commercial and military aircraft, Aerospace Industries Association president and chief executive Marion Blakey was cited as saying by trade publication Airport Business on 12 January.

HAL’s home-grown aerospace products include the Tejas light combat aircraft, the Dhruv advanced light helicopter and the intermediate jet trainer. Three new helicopters, including the light combat helicopter and the light utility helicopter, are being built for the Armed Forces.

HAL has orders for 1,500 helicopters, including 100 Dhruvs, 300 light utility helicopters and 400 Indian multi-role helicopters.

Besides this, HAL has orders for 159 Dhruvs from the army and the air force.

“Manufacturing indigenous helicopters is eventually possible for Sikorsky,” said Dhiraj Mathur, India leader for aerospace and defence at audit and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd. “Essentially, it will be shifting some of its manufacturing facilities to India in a phased manner. It will be highly beneficial if Sikorsky can make India a hub for the Asia-Pacific region.”

However, the 26% limit on stakes in military projects held by overseas companies is discouraging investment, he said.

Walia said his company would be keen to increase its holding in local firms as and when the government relaxes the limit.

He estimates India’s market potential for the company at $21.4 billion in 2011-31. Out of this, $14.4 billion will be military-related and the rest for civil use.

Tata Advanced Systems has set up a unit in Hyderabad to make cabins for the Sikorsky S-92, following a June 2009 agreement.

“As of now, this partnership is restricted to component manufacturing,” Walia said. “We will explore future possibilities based on certain milestones set by the joint venture company.”

The Tata group’s public relations company said the association with Sikorsky was restricted to component manufacturing and nothing had been finalized for the future.

Sikorsky, apart from Italy’s AgustaWestland NV, is in the race to sell 123 helicopters for general use by different departments of the Indian military as well as other agencies. The deal is valued at $4 billion.

“We have already sold five Sikorsky VVIP helicopters in India. We just signed an agreement to sell one more to the government of Maharashtra and are in dialogue with police department of the state,” Walia said.

The company also plans to set up a maintenance, overhaul and repair facility for helicopters in India. “India has a huge talent base and skills that can be exploited to achieve our objectives,” he said.

Tata Advanced Systems, which focuses on aerospace, defence, homeland security and disaster management, signed an agreement in mid-February with Lockheed Martin Corp. to form a joint venture, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures, to build components for the C-130 aircraft produced by the US company.

Tata Industries Ltd, another group company, formed a joint venture with Boeing Co. in 2008 to manufacture defence-related aerospace components in India for export to Boeing and its clients worldwide.

The deals have boosted the Tata group’s chances of becoming the preferred local partner of US firms bidding to sell medium multi-role combat aircraft to India in the world’s largest fighter jet deal.

[sun124]

http://twocircles.net/2012mar04/siko...ers_india.html

US-based Sikorsky, among the world's leading helicopter manufacturers, has offered to make military choppers in India.

Sikorsky's Executive Vice President for India and South Asia, Air Vice Marshal Arvind Jeet Singh Walia (retd), told India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) that at present the offer was to make a naval variant of the famous Black Hawk, designated MH-70B Sea Hawk, if the Indian Navy opts to buy this aircraft.

The Indian Navy should have a requirement for more than 100 helicopters of this type, and if the Sea Hawk is chosen, there would be appreciable Transfer of Technology and manufacturing capability to India, subject of course to an agreement between the Indian and US Governments.

If selected, the MH-70B could be co-produced in India under what is called the Buy-and-Make category of the defence ministry's Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), he said.

At present, the navy has an RfP (Request for Proposals or tender) for 16 helicopters with an option for eight more twin-engine, 12.5 tonne category helicopters. But there are indications for nearly a 100 more, Walia said, adding: "The technical and financial evaluation process is on and a decision is due any time."

Pitted against the Sikorsky is a European consortium's NH-90, partnered by Italy's AgustaWestland (32 percent), European EADS Eurocopter (62.5 percent) and Dutch Stork Fokker (5.5 percent).

Notably, US companies cannot offer advanced and critical technologies to foreign countries but occasionally, the US state and defense departments give them nods to offer their systems on the understanding that in case of possible deals, their cases would be considered favorably and approvals accorded.

Significantly, several top Sikorsky executives have visited India in recent weeks, offering both civil and military aircraft.

Stephen B. Estill, vice president (Strategic Partnerships) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC), and Mick Maurer, president, Sikorsky Military Systems, were in India in February to meet Ratan Tata to seek collaborations in this regard with the Tata group.

Estill said that Sikorsky and Tatas were in discussions for military helicopters, and that a joint company would be set up as and when feasible.

The two groups already have a joint venture for civil helicopter production since 2010, and have started making cabins for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopters in India for civil and VIP versions. Seven cabins had been supplied since the venture started two years ago from a facility in Hyderabad.

"And the first machine with the Made-in-India cabin is just about to be given to a customer somewhere in the world," Estill said.

Gradually, the production would go up to three cabins a month, or 36 a year, by 2013 from the Indian facility, and the machines would be supplied globally from Asia to the Americas.

Walia said that although India itself had no order yet for the S-92, the Indian facility was playing a significant role in Sikorsky's global supply chain. This success could be replicated for military aircraft, but in this case, if there were orders from the Indian Navy to make the project viable in terms of investment and transfer of technology.

Walia said that the Sea Hawks can be used in several roles from anti submarine warfare (ASW) to anti-surface warfare (ASUW), light heliborne operations, search and rescue (SAR) missions and all-weather surveillance. The helicopter can be equipped with weapons and combat systems as required, and can go reasonably far away from its mother ship.

Notably, the Black Hawk has several multi-role variants for the US rmy, marines, navy and special forces. Hundereds of these helicopters have been supplied worldwide to various countries.

[ygvjs2000]

http://www.livemint.com/2012/03/0916...its-first.html
Air India to induct its first ‘Dreamliner’ Boeing next week
New Delhi: Scotching speculation about further delay in its delivery, US aircraft builder Boeing on Friday said the first of the 27 ‘Dreamliner’ planes ordered by Air India would land in Hyderabad next week during the airshow there.


However, the aircraft is likely to be inducted only in May after it gets operational and technical certifications from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other agencies.
Official sources said the national carrier would induct this plane, painted in Air India livery, but only by May after the mandatory certification process was completed.

“The super-efficient Boeing-787 Dreamliner is set to make its debut at Hyderabad as part of Boeing’s commercial products showcase at the 2012 India Aviation Airshow”, being held from 14 t0 18 March, a Boeing spokesperson said, adding that the aircraft was set to land at Begumpet Airport on the eve of the airshow and remain on static display till 16 March.

The delivery of the Dreamliner, built of composite materials which Boeing claims would help significantly reduce fuel consumption, has been delayed for almost three years for which Air India has sought a hefty compensation from Boeing.

Facing financial trouble, Air India has decided to sell and leaseback the first seven of the 27 planes it has ordered and is looking for bridge financing worth $230 million.

Under leaseback arrangement, one party sells a property to a buyer who immediately leases it back to the seller, allowing the initial buyer to make full use of the asset while not having capital tied up in it.

The government is yet to take a call on mode of induction of all the 27 B-787s Air India has ordered -- whether to curtail the order or leaseback all or purchase some of them outright. It also wants the compensation issue to be sorted out before Air India starts inducting them.

Air India plans to replace its Boeing 777 aircraft with B-787 Dreamliners on long-haul, non-stop routes like those to the US and Canada. The airline is also contemplating launching direct flights to Australia with these planes.

Keeping this in mind, Air India recently offered to dry- lease five of its eight Boeing 777-200 aircraft for 8-10 years and floated a global tender for them. The Boeing 787, arriving in Hyderabad, would feature in Air India livery -- the distinctive ‘red and white’ colours depicting the flying swan with the ‘Konark Chakra’.

It is fitted with Air India’s “beautifully designed interior with warm colours, a luxurious business-class cabin, overhead crew rest compartments and an economy-class section,” the Boeing spokesperson said.

No details were immediately available on the number of seats in both classes due to commercial considerations, the sources said.

“The 787 Dreamliner is a game changer and we are proud to bring it to India Aviation 2012, which is a perfect place to showcase the world’s most advanced commercial airplane,” Boeing’s senior vice president (Sales) Dinesh Keskar said.

Boeing claims the Dreamliner was 20% more fuel efficient than similarly sized airplanes and 60 global customers have already ordered 868 of them, making the aircraft “the fastest-selling widebody airplane in commercial aviation history”.

Few months ago, the US Exim Bank decided to support Air India’s plane acquisition programme from Boeing to the total extent of $3.4 billion, including the B-787 Dreamliners.

This financial support by the Exim Bank was challenged by American carriers who lost the battle in a US court. Last month, they filed a revised complaint against the bank, claiming that its loan guarantee to Air India would badly affect several US airlines.

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Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/home/onl...-march-14.html

If it was Airbus's jumbo A-380 in 2008, Boeing's 'Dreamliner' 787-8 aircraft would be the cynosure of all eyes when it touches down in India for the first time for India Aviation-2012 expo, beginning here on March 14, in the centenary year of civil aviation in India.

The Dreamliner, which would be inducted into Air India fleet soon, would be on display for three days at the biennial aero show at the Begumpet Airport here.

Sukhoi's Superjet 100 aircraft, Airbus' A-318 and Embraer's business jets Phenom 300 and 100 would be the other attractions at the third edition of the International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation, jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will showcase its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) that is currently in the development stage. Powered by a single engine, the LUH is to be deployed for Reconnaissance and Surveillance role.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh will inaugurate the five-day event in the presence of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Singh will release a postal stamp and a coffee-table book on civil aviation too.

In all, 22 aircraft will be on static display, with 21 airline companies from across the globe will be participating. The beleaguered Kingfisher, which was one of the main sponsors of India Aviation in the previous two editions, would be missing this time.

While India is the host, UK will be the `partner country', France the `focus country' and the US `guest country', said FICCI regional director (trade fairs) Lt Col Vivek Kodikal.

Andhra Pradesh would be the host state, Maharashtra the partner state and Karnataka the focus state at the event.

"The primary objective of the event is to attract investments in the aerospace sectors in the country in general and AP in particular," Vivek said. The show would be open to business visitors for the first three days, and to common people on 17th and 18th.

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Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

HYDERABAD, MARCH 10:
At a time when the Indian civil aviation industry is going through a tough phase, global aviation players are looking at opportunities emerging out of India during the India Aviation 2012.

The five-day event, which gets under way here on March 14, is expected to get a better response in terms of global participation and business deals than the previous edition.

The gross area has been increased from 12,000 sq m in 2010 to 20,000 sq m this year.

Showcasing of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the first time and the aircraft display of the much-anticipated Superjet 100 aircraft by Sukhoi will be some of the highlights.

“The 787 Dreamliner is a game changer and we are proud to bring it to India Aviation 2012, which is a perfect place to showcase the advanced commercial airplane,” Mr Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice-President, Sales Asia-Pacific and India for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said.

The Dreamliner is set to land at Begumpet Airport on the eve of the show and will be on static display from March 14 to 16.

The third edition of the summit will have the UK as the partner country, while France will be the Focus Country and the US, the Guest Country. Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer is all set to display its presence in the Indian business aviation market with its Phenom 300 and 100 aircraft, while Russian aerospace organisation IRKUT will be participating for the first time.

Global aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft and Piaggio Aero will also be participating in the event. The show will feature participation of about 250 exhibitors and 22 aircraft.

FALCON FLEET

Dassault Falcon will present its Falcon fleet of large cabin, long range business jets. About 20 Falcons are currently operating from airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad. “Several additional aircraft are on order by Indian customers over the next two years. Almost half of the new aircraft orders are for Dassault's flagship Falcon 7X, the first business jet certified with a fully digital flight control system,” said Mr John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon.

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Source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/250-...d-air-show-562

Hyderabad will host the third International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation – India Aviation 2012 from March 14.

Conducted once in two years, it is expected to provide aviation and allied industrialists a platform to showcase their products and services.

The show this year got bigger with more than 250 exhibitors and participants from 18 countries. It is likely to see more than 8,000 business visitors during the three days.

The aviation business show is jointly organised by the ministry of civil aviation, government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and is aimed at attracting investments in the aerospace sectors.

Among others, Boeing 787-8 series Dreamliner will be showcased for the first time at India Aviation 2012. It will also have participation from UAC – SUKHOI to display their much anticipated Sukhoi Superjet 100 Aircraft.

Embraer will showcase their new business jets Phenom 300 and 100.

Leading business and commercial aircraft manufactures like the Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Embrear, Gulfstream, Hawker beechcraft, Piaggio Aero will also be part of the show. Russian Aerospace organisation IRKUT will also be participating for the first time in India Aviation. Major helicopter manufacturers like Augusta Westland, BELL – Textron group, Eurocopter – EADS, UTC Sikorsky will be part of it.

Aircraft engine manufacturers like GE, CFM, Safran, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls – Royce and IAE will and aircraft simulation organszations like CAE, ELITE, MPS, ALSIM will be displaying their products and services at the show.