#PlaneCarnival | Inputs from Aero India to propel MoD’s Make in India policy, future shows | OneIndia Analysis

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Feb 25: Two days after curtains were drawn on the 10th edition of Aero India, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) seems to have got on to the task of analysing the inputs received from various stakeholders, exhibitors, foreign delegates, including the media, on the impact of the show and the idea called Make in India. 

While Aero India 2015 was the first major opportunity for the MoD to source varied views on Make in India mission, sources confirm to OneIndia that the overall mood among the participants was that of hope and not despair.

With Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar going on record saying that the Centre is planning to roll out a dedicated ‘Make in India’ policy soon, these inputs are expected to be vital for the future flight of Indian’s aerospace and defence (A&D) sector.

While one section of the media jumped the gun and declared that the show failed to ink any significant deal (barring MoUs), and hence a ‘flop’, government sources say that mega deals are not announced at air shows.

“Aero India has always been an opportunity for companies to greet, meet and take their business ideas forward. This time we have taken it to another level, with ‘Make in India’ being the focus. We gave maximum opportunities to SMEs and MSMEs; and out of the 650 odd companies a major share of space was taken by them. It’s unfair to expect any magic from shows. The results will be known only in the next 6-8 months,” says a top official not wanting to be named. “It’s a good beginning,” he adds.

* Aero India 2015 has set benchmarks

* Some companies misused their desi tag

* Complaints from the foreign delegates

* Make in India idea needs a development model

* The Navy Model best bet for India

* Missing Naval and Army assets at show 

* Where will be the next show be?

* DPR shows glimpses of change

Read the full report here: http://www.oneindia.com/india/inputs-from-aero-india-to-propel-mod-s-make-in-india-policy-future-shows-1665963.html

#PlaneCarnival: Phil Camp -- Capturing the best of IAF with pure devotion

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Photos: A Veeramani

Phil Camp first shot the photo of a flying machine when he was 16 years old. It was at the Oxford Airport, in 1973.

“Well, it as a Bollow 105 helicopter,” recalls Phil, one of the world’s leading aviation photo-journalists, when OneIndia caought up with him for an interaction at Aero India 2015. “I used my brother’s Russian-made Zenith camera,” he adds. 

At 57 years now, Phil seems to have lost some hair, but not his passion to chase planes, especially being operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Hailing from Southend-on-Sea, on the banks of river Thames, Phil dreamt of becoming an Air Traffic Controller one day.

“That was my dream right from when I was a kid of 10 years. But as I grew up, I realised I am colour blind and could not become a pilot, ATC or any other jobs related to flying. So the best way was to admire aviation was through photography as a hobby,” says Phil, who has over 25,000 slides on aircraft.

For the last 37 years, as the Director of Aero Rep Limited, he looks after spare parts distribution of four US-based companies in the UK and Europe.

This report appeared on OneIndia on 22 Feb 2015. Full report here: http://bit.ly/1vpfikA

#PlaneCarnival: 400 cameras keep a close watch on air show venue

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Photos: A Veeramani

The 10th edition of Aero India saw the security levels setting new benchmarks with a mix of technology and smart coordination by multiple agencies working 24x7.

During a visit to the Operations Control Centre (OCC), functioning from a make-shift, yet spacious building, OneIndia witnessed a host of activities being coordinated with precision.

For the first time, 400 cameras are capturing the activities from every nook and corner of Air Force Station Yelahanka. “Out of these, 350 cameras are being monitored by a 25-member team, while cameras fitted near the gates and periphery walls are 50 under the control of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF),” an official said.

There are 14 cameras with the PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) features, giving an extra edge to the operators. “The zooming option helps us to narrow down on any suspicious movements. We can back-up the videos for 10 days,” the official said.

This report appeared on OneIndia on 21 Feb 2015. Full report here: http://bit.ly/1AYG8mi

#PlaneCarnival: Team ATC keeps a hawk-eye vigil on flying displays

OneIndiaDefence Desk

It’s curtains for the 10th edition of Aero India today at Air Force Station Yelahanka. Among the unsung heroes, who have stayed far away from the limelight, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower team have played a silent, yet critical role.

With the number of participants at the flying display sharply increasing during every show, the role of the ATC has doubled and their responsibilities becoming more vital.

At AFS Yelahanka, the Flight Display Control cabin is positioned at a specially-erected cabin. A highly-qualified team from the Aircraft Systems & Testing Establishment (ASTE), one of the premier institutions of the Indian Air Force (IAF), keeps a hawk-like vigil on all proceedings.

According to Group Capt T K Singha, Chief PRO, Ministry of Defence (MoD), Kolkata, contrary to belief it is not the ATC controller who orchestrates the aerial choreography.

This report appeared on OneIndia on 22 Feb 2015. Full report here: http://bit.ly/1MJXbvp

#PlaneCarnival | Rahul rocks at Sky Party

Photos: Rahul Devnath

#PlaneCarnival | Unsung heroes: Aero India Seminar team takes challenges with a smile

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Feb 18: The 10th Aero India 2015 International Seminar (Aerospace: Vision 2050) will conclude in Bengaluru today paving way for the air show and exhibition activities to go live at Air Force Station Yelahanka.

The seminar is conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who hands over the responsibility to a one of its labs in city, by making them the nodal agency.
This year, it was the turn of the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), currently engrossed in the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system mission for the Indian Air Force.
* Teams for DRDO labs
* Record participation
* Precision and passion matters
* Make in India mantra all over
Photos: A Veeramani

Full report soon on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1Dxgzaw

OneIndia Aero India Photo gallery, here:  http://bit.ly/1yU4ma2

#PlaneCarnival: Tejas FOC won’t skip Dec deadline: ADA Chief

 

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru: Feb 17: The Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is on track and it ‘won't skip‘ the December deadline announced by Defence Minister Manohar Parrkiar.

Speaking to OneIndia on the eve of 10th edition of Aero India, P S Subramaniam, ADA Director, said that all the projected schedules in the programme are on the right flightpath.

"Tejas FOC is well on track and we will stick to the December deadline," Subramaniam said. He said at the Aero India 2015, LSP-3 and LSP-4 will take turns and enthral the crowd during the flying display. The first Series Production (SP-1) aircraft and the second naval prototype (NP-2, a fighter) will be on static display.

Full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1JopkJf

OneIndia Aero India Photo gallery, here:  http://bit.ly/1yU4ma2

#PlaneCarnival: Make in India will change A&D sector in India: Dr Saraswat

By Dr Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Feb 17: Dr V K Saraswat, NITI Ayog member said on Tuesday that the Make in India initiative being piloted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ring in revolutionary changes to the aerospace and defence industry in the country.

In an exclusive interview to OneIndia, Dr Saraswat said that the Make in India campaign should become technology-intense as it picks up momentum. "I would like to see the process moving from design, development and Make in India (D2MI2) in a systematic manner. We have been lagging behind technology from time immemorial. Since we have a technology gap, the only way to accelerate the process is through collaborating with good partners who are willing to work with us on the D2MI2model," said Dr Saraswat, who arrived in Bengaluru for the Aero India 2015.

Full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1FZoywW

OneIndia Aero India Photo gallery, here:  http://bit.ly/1yU4ma2

#PlaneCarnival | Metal birds flock to AFS Yelahanka | #AeroIndia2015

Read a related report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1zAXi1Q | Pix: MoD

#PlaneCarnival: Facts & figures of Aero India 2015