Gangnam style! Let the show begin now, roar Bangalore's daredevli Test Pilots

 Photos | Sudhakar Jain

 From today, thanks to Aero India, the traffic on Bangalore skies might overtake what’s often seen on the roads. Anantha Krishnan M meets HAL’s  Test Pilots to get an update about the sky party. A City Express special.

The beauty of Bangalore is that every street has a plane story to share. An inspiring story, straight from the skies. In our ongoing series Plane and the People, today we present to you a bunch of boys from Bangalore, who knows nothing, but flying. They are the members of city’s elite Test Pilot’s club, dating two of the finest flying machines -- the weaponised version of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-IV) Rudra and the yet-to-be-named Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). They always talk passionately about their flying machines. Their address: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

Leading the pack is Wg Cdr (retd) Unni Pillai, HAL’s Chief Test Pilot. “You know, Dhruv has matured over the years as a dependable and dynamic chopper. We worked on it, fine-tuned it and improvised it and today it has proved its mettle,” Unni took-off, only to hover back to say: “In India, nobody understands the processes involved in designing and developing a new aircraft. That’s because we are so used to buying, and not making. Dhruv was not a flash in the pan activity,” says Unni.

His partner in crime Grp Capt (retd) Hari Nair feels that his team’s mission is to stay focused and take the indigenous programme forward. “The power available with Dhruv is great. The space within the cabin can be compared with the best in the business. The cabin volume and the ease of seating, especially for the civil variant, are world class. These are not our words. We are inspired by the feedbacks given by the users,” says Hari. Both Unni and Hari will be at Aero India, flying the LCH.

Entering the discussion table next was Cdr (retd) Gulati. “Buying the indigenous products has its own advantage. We can exactly work as per the changing needs of the user. This might not be the case when you buy from outside. One indigenous product can definitely inspire another and LCH is an example. Home-grown programmes can boost your confidence. It can create spin-offs,” says Gulati.

Wg Cdr (retd) S P John is of the view that Rudra lets the pilot off his worries. “The pilot can fully concentrate on weapon deliveries. The electronic warfare (EW) suits certainly helps. In the 5.5 tonne class, Rudra is a mean machine,” says John.

So how did the boys prepare for Aero India? Unni checks in again: “The preparations begin months in advance for the show. We first decide upon how many choppers will fly during the show. Then, we identify the type of chopper. The next step is allocation to static and flying displays. We also identify the equipment. This time we have two Rudras and one LCH in the static display area,” says Unni.

Hari says the aim of a Test pilot, who performs during the show, is to remain as cool as a cucumber, all the time. “Calmness is the mantra. To remain cool you need to practice adequately. It is a very-high performance job. We might be having the display only for five minutes, but the concentration levels are so intense, one would take a minimum of 30 minutes to come back to a normal stage,” says Hari.

Most Test Pilots go through a very unique mode of preparation, what they call as ‘walking the display’ ahead of the shows. “We literally walk inside a room and will go through every maneuver that’s in the script. This is a very interesting phase and we fine-tune many things during our walking the display modes,” says Unni.

Yoga, long-distance running, swimming, racing and cycling keep the fitness levels of these daredevils intact. “I will ensure that everyone goes for running. That’s a must. Every six months, we have medical tests conducted by authorized agencies,” says Unni, adding: “Good sleep is a must. Self-discipline is the key.”

As the boys hit the tarmac at HAL’s Helicopter Complex for the Final Dress Rehearsal (FDR) for Aero India-2013, City Express has the next pit-stop for the day, to meet the boss of these Bangalore boys. “These Test Pilots are our jewels. They are our brand ambassadors in many ways considering they make our planes perfect. It’s not an easy task. But I am impressed by the kind of dedication they have towards these machines. They cajole them like their own children. They talk very passionate about their choppers,” says R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL.

When asked about the script that HAL would unfold during the show, the soft-spoken Tyagi said: “Look, these boys will fly our machines and exhibit the world its worth. We are all just the backroom boys. We facilitate everything they want so that they come home with flying colours.”

As we hit the Old Airport Road, completing the security formalities, we see a huge hoarding outside HAL’s Helicopter Division, which says – Propel Your Dreams. It’s carnival time for the planes, folks. And, you got to be there at Yelahanka, to cheer namma (our)  boys. 

Copyright@City Express, The New Indian Express

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INSPIRING BANGALORE | Software engineer claims breakthrough in his flying car project | Says demonstration by end of this year

A K Vishwanath with the phase-I model of his flying car at the terrace of his in Bangalore's Banashankari 2nd Stage. (Below) Vishwanath with the prototype of an all-terrain vehicle being made for expermental purposes.

Photo: Nagaraja Gadekal

If you happen to be in Bangalore's Banashankari 2nd Stage, then take some time out to meet a man in his mid-50s, chasing an unbelievable dream -- to make India’s first flying car.

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Welcome to Banashankari 2nd Stage. House No. 2665. It is here, that the dream to build India’s first flying car is taking shape. Get on to the terrace and you are transported to a different world filled with wires, drawings, motors, paper cones, nuts, bolts and dreams. Chasing the passion to build the flying car --  named Avishcar --  is A K Vishwanath. His CV: Fifty-four years, electrical engineer, US-returned, single.

“Some people might have thought initially I am mad. I am keen to find a solution to the traffic chaos in India. May be, when my dream takes wings, then everyone who are stuck in the traffic, will remember me,” says Vishwanath, during an interaction with City Express. Inspired by Wright Brothers and their undying passion to gift wings to the world, Vishwanath left his software job in the US in 1994 and came back to India. He then worked with Philips Semiconductor till 2003 and finally decided to focus completely on Avishcar.

Since then, his routine has changed. After his morning walk, he spends over 12 hours in two sessions, working on the prototypes of the flying car. During Aero India-2011, he exhibited how eventually the flying car would look. Amidst the fighter jets, the visitors were stunned to see a Maruti car with external fittings. “During the last show, it was a post-breakthrough presence for me. I was convinced, I can do it. Hence, I was keen to get a first-hand experience. This time, I am not going to show as an exhibitor. Now, I am on Vish 2.0 version of my project,” he said.

He says his first proof of principle is the formation of the right flow of air and he is proving it on a bicycle (see photo).  “The idea is to collect enough air for the rotor blade to enable the lift. I am using 192 improvised cones made out of double-layer drawing sheet. These cones help channelise the air. The next phase will be the compact motorized version of the cycle. Here I will remove the rotor. I will put my extremely- compact version of the cones. I will also use special composite materials. This phase-2 principle will be tested on a bike or scooter by mid-April,” says Vishwanath.

He is also ready with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), which will form his phase-3 of his project. “It will be the pre-car implementation stage. I will verify all forms of flows that are required for different types of flight modes. This will include: vertical take-off, spot hovering, safe landing, approach to buildings and the like. The ATV will be run on its engine, in addition to external power supply,” he claims.

His procurement base for the flying car project is small-time mechanic shops on S. P. Road and City Market. “You can literally make God out of the stuff you get from City Market. Last 10 years, I spent Rs 40 lakh for the project from my savings. I have no funding at all. My close friends give me moral support.”

When asked what his neighbours thought seeing him sweat it out on the terrace, Vishwanath said they were all surprised once to see a Maruti car on the terrace. “I had to pay Rs 6000 to the crane chaps to lift the car,” he says.

While all this could be rocket science for some, for some others this could be pure plane matter. And, for many of those who are reading this, 

Vishwanath’s theories might not make any sense. But the man on a mission says: “My idea is to convince the common man. I get breakthrough from nature and I am inspired. If the Wright Brothers can, then I too can. I will demonstrate my flying car, this year. Wait and see.”

Watch this space!

Copyright@City Express, Bangalore

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Conspiracy theory? Aero India bribe episode aimed at ousting Rafael from MMRCA race, says Deccan Herald

The Aero India bribe-for-better-display-case is getting interesting by the day. Popular South Indian daily Deccan Herald has got another interesting report today (March 9), this time linking the issue to the much-awaited MMRCA deal. It doesn't get bigger than this!

(To read the full report, visit the Deccan Herald site here.)

Air (oh!) India! Did India’s star product got shunted out to a silly point during air show?

The bribe-taint on the just-concluded Aero India is now getting murkier. This piece of news could give Mr Clean defense minister of India Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony sleepless nights, as it threatens Antony's constant call to embrace and brand home-grown defense products.
Top sources with a leading Bangalore-based Indian company say that their star product did not get the due it ought to have got in the static display area. After the news reports started coming out on the alleged money-for-prime-spot-deal orchestrated by Indian Air Force (IAF) official(s) during the show, sources actively involved with the company’s air show arrangements said that they had suspected some foul play then.
“We are shocked. But we were really annoyed when our products did not get the kind of visibility it merited. Some of us were very suspicious about the allotment of space at the static display area,” sources said.“It was very evident that the preferences were given to foreign companies. One of our best products which came to the show for the first time had to be pushed to an insignificant corner -- almost in the beginning of the chalet area. The best slots were taken away by the chosen ones,” sources said.

When asked why the Company did not bring the matter to the notice of the higher authorities officially, sources said: “We haven’t given any complaints in writing. We did internally raise objections to the kind of treatment we received this time. It was clear that something was amiss. But then considering our position as a company, we couldn’t do much and left the matter at that.”

Journalists no Saints: While the media might have got yet another scam emerging out of Indian defense set-up, this Aero India once again proved that they too are no saints when it came to accepting gifts and goodies. It was a sad picture to see many journos scrambling for the goodies in front of press conference counters. Some journalists were seen struggling to carry home the goods they gathered during the show. While some came with empty bags to stock the cool maals, some ensured that the ever-media-friendly-PR-managers kept their take-ways safe, in some cases when they missed them owing to their ‘pressing engagements.’In the name of Press kits, things have definitely crossed the decency limit. When last heard, a journalist managed to collect 14 different types of pen drives this time!
Shamelsss Babus: If journos always ‘live up’ to their expectations, what’s more rattling is how MoD babus too are increasingly becoming a ‘gifted lot.’ During every show, one could see how MoD babus roam around with their assistants, carrying bags overflowing with gifts. The joke that goes around Bangalore-based defense establishments is that there’s a standing instruction given to all that a certain number of carry bags with gifts must reach the babus without fail.
Gift India 2013? Going by the scams and mad rush for goodies, it is worth to think of a new name for the air show from the next edition. While Aero India has become a very common name, why not call it as Gift India 2013? While it is near impossible to clean-up Journalism and Babudom – a heady cocktail that can take anyone for an endless spin -- what can be done, is, to put in place a code of ethics to Indian and foreign companies while dealing with the press.
Gifts should be banned. Companies should just provide a brochure and a CD with photos\videos, if need be. That’s all and nothing else. It’s a shame if a journalist can’t get his\her own pen and notepad.
Amidst all this mess, Antony informed the Lok Sabha on March 7 that the size of the show in 2011 was much larger compared to the show conducted in the year 2009, on account of participation of civil aviation sector.While it is great to know that Aero India is growing, it is a matter of great concern that this growth is at the cost of suppressing home-grown products, if the latest media revelations are to be believed.
There are some rotten apples in the system bringing bad name to Indian defense establishment and it is definitely unfair to blame the responsibility entirely on Mr Antony. But, it is appalling that the scam chart of MoD is slowly, but steadily getting very active again. And, even Mr Antony might agree with this point! If he does, then he must act.
While various agencies are investigating the bribe episode at the air show, it is left to be seen whether similar incidents occurred even during previous editions of Aero India also. Will one link lead to another? Only time will tell.
Amen.

T  R  U  T  H,   M A T T E R S

(The opinion expressed through this editorial column on Tarmak007
has nothing to do with the publication[s] the blogger write for.)

Air(oh!) India! Deccan Herald comes out with another report

Copyright: Deccan Herald

(To read the full report, please visit the Deccan Herald site here.)

Air(oh!) India! What you say, Mr Antony?

Copyright: Deccan Herald

Above clipping is the anchor story that appeared on  Page 1 (March 6, 2011) of the popular English daily Deccan Herald.  A very-well written and well-investigated report by Chandan Nandy, News Editor of Deccan Herald. Wonder what would be the response  from India's defense minister A.K. Antony this time!
(To read the full story visit the Deccan Herald website here.)

Bond with the Best: With love, from Bavaria! Leading aviation photographer Andreas presents 18 priceless snapshots from Aero India 2011

Photos Copyright: Dr Andreas Zeitler/Tarmak007 

(Dr Andreas Zeitler (33) lives in Bavaria, south of Germany. Attracted to aviation for over 12 years now, Andreas contributes to some leading international magazines. Tarmak007's association with Andreas began with the caption contest TAC-C. In the  photo below Andreas is at work during the just-concluded Aero India 2011.)

I took my granny's blessings before co-piloting Gripen; my mother was tensed, but I was cool: Shashank

 All photos are taken by Shobhita, Shashank's sister.

Hello everyone. I am Shashank, the boy from Bangalore who co-piloted the Gripen at Aero India 2011. Honestly, when I sit down to write this piece for Tarmak007, I know the task would be tougher than my first flight on Gripen. I haven’t attempted anything like this before.This Aero India was very special to me not only for my first flight, but I was very fortunate to shake hands with some of my heroes.  I thank  Ananth Sir for encouraging me to write about my Gripen experience on Tarmak007. I read the blog everyday – which is my daily dose of inspiration.

It all began, when I was taken to the air show in 1996. I was just 7 years old. I was moving around wonderstruck with my father Ramesh. Since then, I got really addicted to aircraft and their working. As I grew up I started reading a lot on aviation. Prior to Aero India 2011, I came to know about the contest to ‘Fly the Gripen’ conducted by SAAB.

Once I cleared all the hurdles and was declared the winner of this contest, I had to decide whether to appear for the GATE exam or co-pilot the Gripen. I thought and thought and realized that this could be a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. So I GATE-crashed and chose the cockpit!

On Sunday, February 13 (the last day of Aero India 2011), it was already time for me to leave for the Yelahanka AF Station. I prayed to God to provide me strength. I prayed God to give me the energy to handle the G-force!

I took the blessings from my grandmother before leaving for the AF Station along with my parents and my sister. My granny said that I would do well and she is very proud of me. I could see my mother getting bit emotional. Honestly, I was not scared. I was not nervous. Remember I had never flown before, not even in a civil airplane. This was my first flight.

At the SAAB Stall, we were treated well by the Swedish delegates. I met Robin Nordlander -- the chief Test pilot who flew me in the Gripen. I also met Fredrik Muchler -- another Test pilot. I was briefed by Robin Nordlander about the flight. Later, I was kitted out in a G-suit and a life vest. Finding an appropriate oxygen mask took some time... I must really thank the person who kitted me out. (I forgot his name!). Hats-off to his patience. Everybody was very friendly with me and my family.

Finally, at 12.10 in the Noon, we started walking towards the JAS-39D bearing the number 829 that was parked next to a Tejas and a Sukhoi-30 MKI. After getting on to the rear seat, the pilot hopped on to the front seat and closed the canopy. It was a tense moment for my mother Meera. I could see my sister -- Shobhita  -- a journalism student -- cheering me up.

The pilot then asked for a taxi clearance to Runway 9 and then we were cleared for the same. While we were taxiing the pilot told me turn on OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generation System). I turned it on and pressed the "test" button to test the functioning of OBOGS which inflated the G-suit momentarily. Then I wore the oxygen mask. Robin also commanded me to change the ejection seat mode from "safe" to "arm". The pilot then held the jet short of Runway 9 requesting Yelahanka ATC for a take-off clearance. Once the clearance was given from the tower, Robin steered the aircraft to the runway applied brakes and stopped. I looked to my right and saw the crowd who were watching the air show. It was a very happy feeling for me as I belonged to that crowd during the previous air show and this time, I'm already in flying a fighter!

Robin gave a full afterburner thrust. I couldn't hear anything, but felt the vibration. During the take-off, I was pushed against the seat and I felt a bit dizzy because of the heavy acceleration. Soon everything was normal and the ATC gave us the clearance to climb up to 6,000-ft and later 15,000- ft.  Robin demonstrated some S-turns to me. He then gave me the stick controls while he was still controlling the throttle. I performed some 2.5-3 G turns. It was a very good feeling. At just 1.5-1.6 G, one would feel very heavy. At 2.5-3G one would be pushed against the seat and Robin told me that we pulled a maximum of 5G. "In Sweden, we usually fly above 5,000-ft -- or else the people below us would curse us for noise pollution,” Robin said.

Later, Robin took back the controls and asked me: “Can I show you something?" I told him to go ahead. He brought the engine to idle and extended the airbrakes which I was able to see from the overhead mirror. The airspeed dropped to 150kts and he sustained the aircraft at that speed. He then increased the engine throttle to afterburner and then accelerated the plane to 500kts. But I didn't feel dizzy his time! Robin then contacted with the pilots of SAAB 2000 and the SAAB 340 for a formation over Yelahanka AF Station.

The touchdown was very smooth and the landing run was there for a very less distance. We taxied to parking and Robin gave me a command to turn the OBOGS off and to change the ejection seat mode from "arm" to "safe".  We got down from the aircraft and we walked towards the SAAB pilots' room. I was awarded a certificate of associate membership of the Gripen team by Fredrik Muchler. It was a memorable event.

The Press meet followed and I was suddenly surrounded by everyone. I have only seen these scenes on TV and in movies. Questions, cameras, flashes…

Along with the Gripen flying experience, I would always cherish the kind of bonding I had developed with the SAAB team. I thank everyone who supported me.

Thanks Tarmak007 for this writing opportunity. Writing is more challenging than Flying!

A dream come true! Army Aviation's Pushpak now on a historic India tour

Photos: Tarmak007

"The Pushpak which played a key role in the 1971 war was lying idle at the Patiala Flying Club when the idea struck. I wanted to revive the machine, if possible. If I am right, it had fought 2 wars and flew as part of the 660 Army Aviation Squadron, then called as the Air Op Sqdn. I am glad that my dream came true and we will fly this new-look, refurbished Pushpak all across India to mark the Silver Jubilee  of Army Aviation," Brig A.S. Sidhu tell Tarmak007, during an informal chat at Aero India. The Pushpak was flagged off from the Yelahanka Air Force Station on Feb 13. 

"We are planning to visit even some of the oldest aviation bases in India, including the one famous during the Battle of Longewala. From Bangalore we fly to Nasik, Jaisalmer, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu, Lucknow via Baghdhora to Tezpur, Vizag, Bangalore and conclude at the Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nasik," says Brig. Sidhu, who is the Commander, Army Aviation Base at Leh.

During the historic flight, a total of 11,000 km will be covered in a span of 3-3.5 weeks. According to Brig. Sidhu the Pushpak(s) last flew in 1981, but he got the idea to revive the aircraft only in 2007.

“I got in touch with the Civil Aviation Secretary and other officials and got very good encouragement. HAL deputed a team in 2010 and they did an excellent job in a month and completed the fabric work. In October 2010 we finished the painting work. The assembly was done by the engineers and technicians from the Punjab government. We had the ground run on October 26, first taxi trials on October 28 and first flight on October 30. The multi-horse power piston engine (C-90) was fine-tuned. At the end of it all everything was restored to its original glory. Now, it can fly at a max speed of 100/kph and more,” says Brig. Sidhu.

Says Col. Dipender Singh, CO, AA, 205: “It’s a dream come true and we are all proud of this machine and what Brig. Sidhu has achieved. We couldn’t have got for a better souvenir – a priceless one -- than this flight to mark the Silver Jubilee of Army Aviation,” says Col. Singh.

So much that even the blogger played a small role to help Brig. Sidhu’s dream come true, which he acknowledges every time. That bit of news is irrelevant here, considering what Brig. Sidhu and Army Aviation have achieved.

Happy Landings Brig. Sidhu & Co!

Also read: An inspiring journey