Mumbai Airport's air traffic control faces numerous glitches due to outdated equipment

The automation system that helps Mumbai air traffic control handle a large volume of flights land, take off and overfly safely and efficiently has been prone to an unhealthy number of glitches and failures in the recent past.

In June alone, the automation system faced more than 70 subsystem problems, stated a letter by the Air Traffic Controllers Guild to its employer, the government-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), on Wednesday, July 27. AAI provides air traffic services over the Indian airspace.

Among the issues plaguing the Mumbai air traffic control are sudden blackout or freezing of controllers' display screens, systems rebooting repeatedly, server failure, and computerised workstations with keyboards and mouses that don't function properly, among others.

Mumbai Airport's air traffic controllers face numerous glitches due to outdated equipment

The hardware for the current automation system is over 16 years old; while the lifespan of the system is estimated to be 10 years, said the letter. The system was procured keeping in mind the air traffic scenario that existed over two decades ago.

The traffic has increased manifold thereafter and the airspace structure has changed. All the changes are done through software, though, and are being implemented on the same hardware components-comprising workstations, servers, and recorders, among others, that is-which were already working at peak capacity way back in 2010.

The system was procured keeping in mind the air traffic scenario that existed over two decades ago.

"To put it in perspective, we have upgraded our laptops/system from 128 MB RAM to 5-8 GB RAM in the past 20 years. Had we been using the old system, we would not be able to even open a web browser or run a simple program," stated the letter, explaining the issue at hand.

Among the other major failures recorded in the recent past, the controllers' workstation that handles arrival, departure and overflying flights failed about 30-odd times in March and the workstation that handles flights over oceanic airspace failed about 10 times from March 20 and April 05, it said.

In June alone, the automation system faced more than 70 subsystem problems, stated a letter by the Air Traffic Controllers Guild to AAI

Then, between March and April, there were about 25 failures of sub-systems, including the 'flight data processing system'. Remedial action taken included changing the RAM, replacing hardware machines with local spare parts and restarting the sub-system to sustain operations by all means.

The guild letter proposed immediate and long-term solutions. AAI should request Raytheon, the manufacturer, to provide hardware support for the existing system, it said.

For the long term, a tender for a new automation system has already been floated for airports, including Mumbai. But procurement, installation, commissioning, training etc will take at least 4 years, it said.

India's ATC sector is already facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, with the current workforce already falling short by 22% of the sanctioned number

ALSO READ - Shortage of Air Traffic Controllers widens

India’s ATC sector is already facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, with the current workforce already falling short by 22% of the sanctioned number. While airports are sprouting rapidly in the country, new recruitment has not been able to keep pace with the development.

Mumbai airport alone has seen more than 132% increase in passenger traffic in the last six months. Aircraft movement will only increase from now on, which means that fully upgraded ATC equipment is a top priority.

(With Inputs from The Times of India)

Airbus Helicopters has commenced construction of a test centre for CityAirbus NextGen- with a ground-breaking ceremony that saw numerous politicians, business leaders and company representatives in attendance.

Occupying a surface area of 1,000 m2, the new structure will be used for testing systems for electric takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) and is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

We are investing in the future of electric flight because we believe this technology holds key potential for zero-emission flights. Urban Air Mobility will change the way we travel in cities and beyond and it will be a new pillar of business for Airbus. Donauwörth plays an important role in the development and construction of CityAirbus NextGensaid Wolfgang Schoder, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany

The hangar integrates high-voltage equipment and lithium batteries and is designed to undergo testing with the highest safety precautions. Reportedly, all tests needed before CityAirbus NextGen’s maiden flight can be carried out there.

Wolfgang Schoder, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany | Airbus

CityAirbus NextGen

Conceived as an idea for an efficient air transport service between strategic locations in urban and suburban environments, the CityAirbus NextGen is an all-electric, four-seat vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototype.

Based on a lift and cruise concept, it boasts an 80-km operational range and a cruise speed of 120 km/h – making it perfectly suited to zero-emission flight operations for a variety of applications in cities and communities.

Airbus

Its unique configuration incorporates innovative design elements that make for a robust and seamless architecture:

 A fixed-wing A V-shaped tail Eight electric-powered propellers as part of its uniquely designed distributed propulsion system

Airbus

Airbus has partnered with Thales and Diehl to develop CityAirbus NextGen's flight control computers and with MagicAll for its electric motor.

Airbus Vahana | Representative | Airbus

With the ground-breaking ceremony for the Urban Air Mobility Test Centre at the Donauwörth site, Airbus Helicopters is laying an important foundation for the further progress of electrically powered aircraft. As the federal government, we welcome the efforts made by industry to develop new propulsion systems and aircraft that will enable climate-neutral aviation in the futuresaid Aerospace Coordinator Anna Christmann

Anna Christmann | Spacewatch Global

Airbus is also working closely with industrial and institutional partners to lead the development of urban air mobility ecosystems, as recently announced with ITA Airways in Italy, or through the launch of the Air Mobility Initiative in Germany.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Airbus

The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Wednesday, July 27 signed a USD 100-million contract with the US-based Honeywell for 88 engines to power the indigenous HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, even as the state-owned plane manufacturer eyes a contract from the Indian Air Force for such aircraft.

The contract was exchanged by Eric Walters, Senior Director OE Sales, Honeywell Defense & Space, and B Krishna Kumar, Executive Director (E & IMGT) in the presence of R Madhavan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL.

“HAL has successfully developed the basic trainer aircraft (HTT-40) to address the training requirements of IAF. There is a potential requirement of 70 aircraft. The contract with IAF for the same is in an advanced stage of approval."R Madhavan, Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd

The TPE331-12B engine is a single shaft turboprop engine with an integral inlet and gearbox, two-stage centrifugal compressor, power turbine, gearbox, three-stage axial turbine and turbine exhaust diffuser.

Besides, it displays reliable power and outstanding operational characteristics. The HTT-40 prototypes are powered by TPE331-12B engines and have been serving well since 2014.

“We are proud of our four-decade-long partnership with HAL and happy to extend our relationship with this new order.The TPE331-12 family of engines has proven itself in operations all over the world, and we have committed to support and deliver engines as well as kits within the stipulated schedule to meet the requirements of the IAF. Honeywell is committed to support export of HTT-40 aircraft in coming years along with other engine programmes which are currently on radar. This contract would pave the way for future collaboration between HAL and Honeywell."Eric Walters, Senior Director, Sales, Honeywell Defense & Space

The central government has imposed a phased ban on the import of 310 different types of weapons and systems to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector, and basic trainers feature on that list.

Rookie pilots in the IAF go through a three-stage training process involving the Pilatus PC-7 MkII basic trainers, Surya Kiran trainers and finally the British-origin Hawk advanced jet trainers before they can fly fighter jets.

HAL signs contract with Honeywell for 88 engines for HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft

In August 2020, the defence ministry gave a go-ahead for the purchase of indigenous basic trainer aircraft for IAF to provide a push to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision.

The defence acquisition council (DAC) accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) to buy 106 HTT-40 aircraft from HAL. Under India’s defence procurement rules, an AoN by the council is the first step toward buying military hardware. The IAF plans to order the basic trainers in two batches – 70 and 36.

The IAF, which currently imparts basic training to army and navy pilots in addition to its own, calculates that it needs 181 basic trainer aircraft.

After building and inducting 72 HTT-40s in IAF training schools, there will still be a requirement for 34 more basic trainers. (Image - Ajai Shukla)

It has already bought 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mark-II trainers. After building and inducting 72 HTT-40s in IAF training schools, there will still be a requirement for 34 more basic trainers. If the HTT-40 performs well, that order will also go to HAL.

The HTT-40 aircraft has undergone a string of elaborate tests at HAL to demonstrate that it is safe for rookie pilots and meets the IAF’s exacting standards for trainer planes.

HAL and Honeywell are exploring other areas such as 1MW Turbo Generators, manufacturing, Repair & Overhaul of TPE 331-10GP / 12JR engines for variants of Dornier.

Cover Image - Ajai Shukla

Following the recent spate of safety-related incidents reported on its planes, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered SpiceJet to operate only 50% of its flights for the next eight weeks to ensure that the airline sustains its “efforts for safe and reliable air transport service”.

On July 6, the DGCA issued a showcause notice to SpiceJet following the rising number of air safety incidents witnessed by the low-cost airline.

The aviation safety regulator, in its notice, mentioned that the various incidents, since April 1 this year, had been reviewed, and it was found that “poor internal safety oversight” and “inadequate maintenance actions” had resulted in the degradation of safety margins.

According to industry executives, SpiceJet has not been operating at full capacity over the last few months.

In its showcause notice, the DGCA also flagged the airline’s financial condition that has led to a shortage of spare parts, financial assessment carried out by DGCA in September 2021 has also revealed that the airline is operating on cash & carry and suppliers/ approved vendors are not being paid on regular basis leading to a shortage of spares.

"In view of the findings of various spot checks, inspections and the reply to the showcause notice submitted by SpiceJet, for the continued sustenance of safe and reliable transport service, the number of departures of SpiceJet is hereby restricted to 50 per cent of the number of departures approved under summer schedule 2022 for a period of eight weeks."DGCA said in its order.

As per the approved summer schedule for 2022, which is effective till October 29, SpiceJet was to operate 4,192 departures every week. The DGCA order means that it cannot operate more than 2,096 flights per week for the next eight weeks.

The aviation safety regulator, in its interim order, said SpiceJet will be subjected to “enhanced surveillance” during this period, and any increase over the 50 per cent cap will be “subject to the airline demonstrating to the satisfaction of DGCA” that it has “sufficient technical support and financial resources to safely and efficiently undertake such increased capacity”.

Interim order sent to SpiceJet.

"We are in receipt of the DGCA order and will act as per directions of the regulator. Due to the current lean travel season, SpiceJet, like other airlines, had already rescheduled its flight operations. Hence, there will be absolutely no impact on our flight operations. We want to reassure our passengers and travel partners that our flights will operate as per schedule in the coming days and weeks. There will be no flight cancellation as a consequence of this order."A SpiceJet Spokesperson said.

ALSO READ - DGCA finds no major safety violations during 53 spot checks on 48 SpiceJet aircraft

DGCA noted that while SpiceJet has been taking measures to check the incidents, the airline needs to sustain its efforts for safe and reliable service. Between July 9 and July 13, the regulator conducted 53 spot checks of 48 SpiceJet aircraft but did not find any major violations of safety guidelines.

Tata Group-owned Air India issued a tender to sell its three B777-200LR wide-bodied aircraft, which were manufactured in 2009.

The tender said that the bids for three wide-bodied aircraft, which are powered by GE90-110 engines, will have to be submitted by August 16. Wide-bodied aircraft have bigger fuel tanks that allow them to travel on long-haul international routes like between India and the US.

In October 2021, Tatas emerged as the winning bidder for loss-making Air India. 

Previously Air India operated 8 wide-body aircraft Boeing 777-200LR, but then it sold 5 of its aircraft to Etihad Airways. After this deal, Air India only operates 3 Boeing 777-200LR.

The 777 family of airplanes is popular with passengers and airlines because of its fuel-efficient twin-engine design, high reliability, low operating costs and comfortable and spacious interior. It is the market leader in the 300- to 400-seat segment, capturing more than 65% of that market.

Seat Map and Seating Chart Boeing 777 200LR Air India.

Air India Boeing 777-200LR seats 238 passengers in a three-class configuration and is primarily used on long-haul routes. There are 8 flat bed seats in First Class, 35 angled-flat seats in Business, and 195 standard Economy Class seats.

Air India had cut down its first class seat to increase its economic capacity, which they primarily use on the San Francisco route. They had gone from 195 economy seats to 298 economy seats, that’s an increase of 103 economy class seats on Air India’s 777-200LRs.

Air India Boeing 777 237LR VT-ALG at San Francisco International Airport.

ALSO READ - Air India CEO-designate Campbell Wilson gets security clearance from the home ministry

Earlier this year, Air India announced Campbell Wilson as its chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) gave security clearance to Air India CEO-designate Campbell Wilson. The security clearance from the Central government has paved the way for Campbell Wilson to take charge of Air India.

After Air India, the Centre has now begun work on privatising its erstwhile subsidiaries - regional carrier Alliance Air Aviation, AI Engineering Services and AI Airport Services. The civil aviation ministry has begun a clean-up exercise, involving government guarantees that were given to Alliance Air.

Additionally, it will look at the infrastructure available with the other two subsidiaries and the HR issues, including manpower deployment, which will pave the way for seeking expression of interest over the next few months.

The sale of the entities will help the government garner some resources and recover some of the money it had pumped into Air India before it was sold. Of them, the engineering arm could see the maximum interest from potential buyers as the Tata Group has major fleet expansion plans.

Centre begins work on privatisation of Alliance Air & other Air India subsidiaries

A few renowned international airlines with large engineering subsidiaries are keen to forge alliances with Tatas to jointly run the maintenance shop here.

Alliance Air currently has a fleet of 19 turboprops - 18 ATRs and a made-in-India Dornier of HAL - and operates 115 daily departures on a network of 50 domestic destinations mainly in the north and Northeast India.

In April, almost three months after Air India's privatization, Alliance Air announced that it had completed the process of becoming a standalone airline, which meant that it no longer relied on Air India's network of bookings, customer service, or anything else.

The 800-employee-strong airline will induct two more ATRs by September and another HAL-made Dornier.

ALSO READ - Alliance Air to operate HAL’s Do-228 aircraft under UDAN-RCS

The 800-employee-strong airline will induct two more ATRs by September and another HAL-made Dornier. The regional carrier plans to start an international route - Chennai-Jaffna - soon, depending on the situation in Sri Lanka.

IndiGo is the only financially stable operator of regional flights using turboprops in India. Industry insiders said that apart from IndiGo and Tata-owned Air India, no other Indian operator as of now has the required financial muscle to successfully bid for Alliance Air.

ALSO READ - Celebi Aviation interested in bidding for Air India’s ground handling unit

AI Airport Services (AIASL), the ground handling arm providing services at airports, is facing its own issues right now. Citing a deterioration in its services causing flight delays, Air India had recently warned AIASL that it might opt for other service providers at some airports.

The engineering arm could see the maximum interest from potential buyers as the Tata Group has major fleet expansion plans.

ALSO READ - Air India may deboard AIASL as a ground handler from some airports due to flight delays

AIASL may see some interest from ground handlers already working at Indian airports. Last October, the government carved four subsidiaries out of Air India, while making the final preparations to return the Maharaja to the founder Tata Group along with Air India Express.

ALSO READ - EoI for the sale of Air India’s ground-handling division in the coming fiscal year

They were transferred to an SPV, Air India Assets Holding (AIAHL), at book value. The government retained INR 44,679 crore of Air India's debt in this SPV which also got the subsidiaries, land and buildings. These will gradually be sold to pay off the debt.

While the dilapidated Centaur Delhi is set to be demolished, the Kashmir administration sealed the Srinagar property last month for violation of lease terms.

The fourth subsidiary, Hotel Corporation of India (HCI) runs Centaur in Delhi and Srinagar. While the dilapidated Centaur Delhi is set to be demolished, the Kashmir administration sealed the Srinagar property last month for violation of lease terms.

So there is nothing in HCI to be sold off for the government. Air India, handed to the Tatas this January, has so far been the most high-profile divestment of the Modi government.

(With Inputs from The Times of India)