CHETAK CRASH INVESTIGATION REPORT | DGCA says HAL Academy don't have approved flying manual | DGCA sitting over manual & blaming the pilot for not using proper proforma baseless: HAL

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: Hit by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)'s investigation 'findings' into the 2010 August Chetak crash, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) launched a strong defence terming some of the comments as 'incorrect.'  In an email response to Express' queries, a senior HAL official wanting not to be named, backed the pilot Air Cmde (Retd) ROJ Assey, Flying Instructor at the Rotary Wing Academy (RWA), who survived the crash with minor injuries. He had over 4200 hours of flying at the time of crash and his trainee pilot Capt Virendra Singh of the Indian Army, who too escaped, around 15 hours. 

While the DGCA findings minces no words against the instructor and RWA, HAL defended its stand by sharing all facts with evidence – a first in many years. Taking on DGCA's comment that the RWA doesn't have an approved training manual, the official said: “We have sent the manual to DGCA head quarters in Delhi, but no response for a long time. We have received an acknowledgment and the  approval is pending with them. Number of reminders have also been sent,” sources said.

HAL says that a special audit of RWA was carried out in 2011 by a special team and no non-compliance was found. “Every year the audit is carried out by an inspector for renewal of RWA's approval where the current medical and standardization checks are put under the scanner. The crash investigation report is not been written by a pilot, who understands the mechanics of flying and flying training. One has to take into consideration the total accident-incident free record of the instructor (prior to the accident) and comment,” the official said.

On the DGCA observation on the instructor's hover height and improper handling, during the time of crash, the official said: “While teaching we always maintain a higher height so that the pupil get more room while maneuvering. This is a globally-accepted technique. If the instructor was on the controls this accident would never have happened. But if the instructor is always on the controls, the pupil never learns but goes ahead to become a pilot. The emergency actions taken by the pilot were the most appropriate in the situation. Blaming the pilot not using proper proforma is ridiculous, as it is the one issued by DGCA.”

A senior pilot in the know-how of training rookie pilots felt that the frequency of inspection in a training institution should be more. 

Following are some of key crash findings of DGCA. 

1. While the instructor started following the pupil on the cyclic, the helicopter suddenly pitched up. This hover was due to not properly handling of controls by the instructor.

2. The instructor had followed his instincts and did not follow the emergency procedures as laid down in the flight manual, thereby delaying the corrective action.

3. RWA doesn't have an approved training and procedures manual which defines the hover height during training flights for trainee pilots in order to provide an element of safety.

ABOUT RWA

The Rotary Wing Academy (RWA) is the only Academy in the country training pilots on helicopters on civil flying even today. It was established in 2000, as the helicopter training outside of the military was non-existent. Ever since, the RWA has trained total of about 110 pilots on helicopters from civil, Border Security Force, Nepal Army, Coast Guard, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Indian Army. It owns two piston engine Schwiezer 300 chopper, one turbine engine Schwiezer 330 chopper, and had two Chetak –- of which one was lost in the 2010 crash. It is now being replaced with a new procurement. There are four experienced instructors at RWA.

|Copyright@The New Indian Express|

TOUCHDOWN 2012: Dhruv salute to all Tarmak007 fans!

EXPRESS INVESTIGATION: Shelter-less Sukhois hit by sunstroke?

India's front-line fighters Sukhois at an undisclosed IAF base. Photo: Special Arrangement

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Sukhois (Su-30 MKI) don't have shelter. India's frontline fighters are suffering from a possible sunstroke. This startling piece of revelation has come to light after Express launched an investigation, following the fighter's crash near Pune recently. Along with list of suspects – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (blamed for serious quality issues) and the Russians (whose design flaws are under scanner ) – the Indian Air Force (IAF) will have to do some answering for  'exposing' the fighters.

Express consulted several serving and retired Sukhoi pilots, engineers in HAL, current and former IAF officials and even experts with military airworthiness to verify our findings: If Sukhois are exposed to the sun for a longer period, malfunctions will occur without fail. The IAF was contacted for an official response, but shockingly a delayed reply came in just one line. “Maintenance shelters have been procured at our airbases solely on the IAF's initiative and more of these are being procured to cater to the varied environmental conditions of our country,” an email reply from IAF media managers said, to our queries.

The IAF operates  over 150 Sukhois from its bases in Pune, Barelley, Chabua, Jodhpur and Tezpur. HAL says it had communicated officially to the IAF the need for providing shelters. The matter was also taken up during Quality Assurance meets and Commanders' Conference.

HAL claims that all Sukhois at their Nashik Division (manufacturing base only) are kept under shelters, while the IAF uses canvass covers to protect them from UV rays, rain and dust. “The UV rays will have faster aging and hardening effect on the rubber and other non-metallic parts, which can lead to more premature failure, in the longer run. The canvass can only protect the aircraft from UV rays, but not the heat, which can harm avionics parts,” sources said.

A Sukhoi pilot told Express that small dust  particles will get deposited on engine blades, if they are exposed to the sun.

| Tomorrow in Express: Sun-stroke effects, experts' view in detail | Plus on Tarmak007: 4 queries, 3 days & one-line shocker! |
Recommended: Quality & Design Concerns

SUKHOI CRASH: Flaws in Russian design or holes in HAL's quality standards? | Crashed fighter was on a maiden 'air test' after servicing |

 Frontline fighters Su-30MKIs being manufactured under license at HAL's Nasik Division in Maharashtra. Photo: Tarmak007

By Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

Bangalore: The Sukhoi (Su-30 MKI) that crashed near Pune on December 13 was on its first air test (fly test) after it underwent the mandatory servicing. The aircraft had already completed 400 hours of flying and had to do undergo a second servicing (after every 200 hours) as per the Indian Air Force (IAF) norms. Sources with the investigation team tell Express that the fighter crashed after oscillating – a rare phenomenon if the platform was not under control. “The pilots couldn't control the aircraft and it crashed without any warning, clearly pointing towards system and quality issues,” sources said.
This was the third crash of the elite Sukhoi jets of IAF, with the first one occurring on April 2009 following the pilots suspected to have inadvertently switched-off the fly-by-wire and the second one in November 2009, with fire being reported inside the aircraft.
Sources in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) say that there were quality related issues with the basic design (Russian). “The issues with the design are known even to the IAF and you can't blame HAL alone. The current crash is suspected to be a fly-by-wire malfunction and we are investigating. The flight data recorder (FDR) along with some burnt parts of the aircraft have come to Nasik. We will decode the FDR to find the exact cause,” sources said.
The crashed fighter was manufactured at HAL's Nasik division, during 2009-10 period, as part of the phase-3 production (partial raw-material, partial Russian). Two Russian specialists are now part of the investigation team, with one looking into the fly-by-wire systems and another the test-flight parameters. “There's a lot of redundancy built in Sukhoi. There are four parallel wires and in case one fails there are three more that should have worked. Is it a question of the design flaw or HAL's quality standards?,” sources ask.
HAL sources claim that they have made lot of improvements to the Su-30 MKI. “There were problems with the pipeline and looms (electrical harnes). Thirty (30) Sukhois were grounded a few months back due to defects in the assembly done by the Russians. They admitted the mistakes and identified 12 aircraft out of the 30 for rectification,” sources said. The recent crash cost the nation Rs 250-crore. HAL's main profits come from Nasik Division.
42 ADDITIONAL ORDERS LIKELY: Amidst the question marks over quality issues, both from Russian and HAL side, India is all set to place an order for additional 42 Su-30MKIs. This is in addition to the initial order of 50 (which came from Russsia), plus the 180 (140 + 40) being done in various phases. “The additional order of 42  will be taken up for production from next year onwards. These may not be the upgraded versions (Super Sukhois). A final decision will be taken soon (upgraded or not) soon,” sources said. So far, the IAF has taken deliveries of 103 Sukhois built under license by  HAL.
Currently India is also holding talks with Russia for the upgradation of the existing fleet. “The plan is to upgrade 100 aircraft. A team is already in Russia and we are sorting out software and radar-related issues,” source said.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

PLANETALK: Let there be light, let there be sense and let there be inspiring souls in HAL(L) of fame

                                                                   By Anantha Krishnan M

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is getting a 'new captain' in P.V. Deshmukh on November 1. Though it is a stop-gap arrangement, a cockpit-change in defence set-up usually rings in new hopes. And, today's change will be keenly watched by HAL's biggest customer, the Indian Air Force (IAF) – whose dream of controlling the company was grounded by Defence Minister Arackaparambil Kurien Antony – at least for now. 
A good company often boasts of the might of its men rather than its machines. A good company takes care of its men first so that they keep the flag of passion closer to their hearts. A good company will also have coaches in place of commanders; mentors in place of managers and leaders who command self-respect, than demand it. “HAL must introduce a lot of inspiring leaders into its fold,” former President A P J Abdul Kalam had once said.

So what's ailing HAL? The answer is as straight as an arrow: Nothing! Then why are most projects running behind schedule? Why are its customers restless? Why are its men logging out? Why there's a sudden vacuum at the top management? Why there's no strong second line leadership? Why are the youngsters frustrated? Why is the ownership missing? Why? What? How? Can it? Will they? Why? Why? Why?

In fact, HAL is not ailing. The problem lies with the top. Their vision is blurred and they always look towards themselves. They chant the mantra of I, Me & Myself.  They have built walls around their body and sealed their souls so that the pulse of people don't reach them. They want power to plunder and not to prove. There might have been exceptions, then we are ruled by the majority.

Some say that HAL's former head A. Nayak, who retired on October 31, did what his predecessors could not do. “During 2010-11 period, he ensured that HAL rolled out 78 aircraft and helicopters – recording the highest annual production in the last 10 years,” his close aide claimed. Apparently, he was tossed up in the air by the Ministry of Defence for this stupendous achievement.

Good job, Mr Nayak! But why the delays in projects?  IJT, Hawk, LCA, ALH – the backlog list is bigger than a kerosene shop queue. If your achievements are tall, why did you choose to mute your wins? Why did you run away from the media? Why did you date darkness, when light was not in short supply? Why did you lose so many Directors during your tenure? Tears & triumphs! Well...

But, the workmen (employees on Scale) say that Nayak played a key role in getting revised pay scales and he deserves a standing ovation for this effort. After all, the workmen are the real heroes of HAL and they deserve every bit of support. “HAL's heart lies in the shop-floor and their (workmen) success stories have to be captured,” Kalam had told once. Today's shaky state of HAL, if at all, is not just Nayak's creation alone. Like his predecessors, he too did his bit. Just that he did it in his own style. The way he wanted.

I am not a journalist who wants to prescribe a corrective dose for HAL, because like many, I too firmly believe that HAL is not ailing! But, if 'Dr Antony' & his wise team of specialists in Delhi happen to read this piece or sense any turbulence, then it's time to wake from the slumber. May be then, HAL needs a shake-up.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Amen!

(Copyright@The New Indian Express. A near-similar-version of the above piece appeared in the Bangalore Edition of the paper today.) 

Frustrated young engineers, designers eject from HAL cockpit | Poor pay, lack of challenging assignment & mentoring propel exodus | MoD should hike salaries of lower Grades: HAL

By Anantha Krishnan M & Sharan Poovanna

Bangalore: Hundreds of young engineers and designers, who have joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as design and management trainees (DTs & MTs), have ejected from the company cockpit in the last two years. While meager pay is the primary reason for their exit, lack of decent amenities, furniture, computers, hygienic food, challenging assignments and zero mentoring have also propelled the exodus.
Express' efforts to get an official version went in vain with HAL top brass failing to give any forthright response (see below). This has forced us to rely on conflicting figures given by our sources, directly involved with the recruitment and training process. While one set put the number of youngsters quitting at around 300 (162 from January 2010 to March 2011 & around 100 from March to October 2011), another official rounded it off to 400 (241 from January 2010 to March 2011 & 160 till date).
HAL started hiring MTs & DTs in large numbers in 2005 after undergoing agony, thanks to the poor-sighted recruitment ban in the mid-80s. “We suffered in the past due to the ban, and now it's hurting us even more. We spent lakhs training these youngsters for an entire year, before posting them at Divisions. They are even exposed to IITs and put through tailor-made training modules at reputed private firms,” an official with the Human Resources (HR) Department said.
Close to 80 per cent of people quitting are in Grade I, II & III, while 15 per cent are in Grade IV &  V and  the remaining five per cent above Grade VI. There are close to 10,000 officers (Grade-level) and 24,000 employees (Scale-level) in HAL working in centers spread across Bangalore, Nasik, Hyderabad, Korwa, Koraput, Kanpur, Lucknow, Barrackpore, Kasargode and  Delhi. HAL wants to have a combined strength (officers and employees put together) of 39,000, when the new perspective plan takes shape.
Sources also told Express that HAL had moved many proposals to MoD, seeking a hike in salaries of its employees on part with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). All the proposals were shot-down by the MoD, pointing out the impact move could have on other public sector undertakings (PSUs). “While HAL Grade-1 officer gets gross salary of around Rs 28,224, Grade-II Rs 36,736 and Grade-III Rs 46,144 – including DA and HR -- an equivalent position in NTPC gets 20-30 per cent more,” sources added.
HAL insiders are accusing the MoD of doing little to protect their talent, being poached by the private sector. “While on the one hand the MoD is encouraging private players in defence set-up, nothing is being done to safeguard our talent. Private companies are hiring our ready-made man-power, of a majority are well-trained engineers and designers in aviation. Junior-level officers are our biggest concern as they are getting less salaries,” says an official. When contacted in Delhi, Manoj Sounik, Joint Secretary (Aerospace), MoD, washed his hands off by saying he is not authorised to speak to the media.
Sources said that during exit interviews, many youngsters listed their woes fearlessly. “Challenging assignments and better facilities are two major factors. Some increments given to the lower grade were also withdrawn following pay panel guidelines. Youngsters have to be handled with care. The top management is always fighting for their chairs, leaving the youngsters in no-man's land," sources said.

Nayak retires on Oct 31.

I am not aware of exodus, says Nayak: HAL head A. Nayak has been ducking the media ever since he took over in April 2009. When Express contacted him to find out the measures being put in to stem the outflow of youngsters, Nayak, who is retiring on October 31, said: “I am not aware of anyone quitting. I don't have time to comment on these issues. I am busy in a meeting.”
However, his colleague Director Human Resources V.M. Chamola, a recent appointee in HAL, said: “We have taken quite a number of measures to address this issue. When you compare the percentage with some of the global aviation companies our attrition rates are less. I don't have the figures right away as I am in the middle of an appointment,” Chamola said.

Copyright@The New Sunday Express

SKY TEST: Tejas LSP-7 all set for first flight; fuel leak plugged, user trials soon

Anantha Krishnan M

Express News Service

BANGALORE: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots will officially get a taste of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas with the 12th aircraft from the project flight-line and the seventh from the limited series production (LSP-7) block set to kiss the skies soon. Sources told Express that the crucial engine ground run (EGR) was over and the fighter was now being put on low-speed taxi trials (LSTT). “We will do the LSTT before October 24 and the high-speed taxi trials (HSTT) after that. Finally, we will do the nose-up trial leading to the first flight,” sources said. The aircraft is expected to do the LSTT at 150 kmph and the HSTT at 250 kmph.

Though the LSP-7 was scheduled to fly in August, the project hit an air pocket when fuel leak was noticed in one of the aircraft during taxiing. “We had to ground the entire Tejas fleet as safety was our top-most priority. We lost the months of May, June, July and August with not much of testing happening,” sources said.

(Full story in Expressbuzz)

Is poor succession plan hurting HAL badly? Strong opposition from within to Nayak’s extension rumours

Give the man power to test his charac ter, so goes a saying. It goes well with most of the top brass of HAL, barring a few. The current ongoing crisis at the top is mainly due to poor succession plan in practice. For implementation of proper succession plan HAL needs inspiring leaders. Old-timers recall with fond memories the role played by late Air Chief Marshal Khatre and Dr Krishnadas Nair who led Company with glory. Both had contrasting style of functioning. “They had a vision and they were sensitive to the issues of people. Khatre was selfless, while Dr Nair was a pro-people in whatever he did,” says a senior HR official.

Others have come and gone, did a lot for themselves and little for the company in terms of putting a strong second line of leaders. “It is unfair to say; we don’t have capable leaders (junior to us). Just that, their capabilities are over-shadowed by self ego, favoritism and selfishness. What is hurting HAL the most is the employees are fast getting disconnected from the top management and even the company. You can’t blame HR for not having good policies. We had them in the past and still have them in files. It is the question of how much the top man or his coterie wants in actual dispensation,” says the official.

This clearly brings the focus again on Nayak, the man at the helm of HAL. Insiders are mincing no words at his authoritative functioning. Reads an email from one K.P.R: “It is not in good taste that we read the series on your website about HAL. But unfortunately to our bad luck whatever you are bringing out are facts. There’s lot of disillusionment among middle management and youngsters and if the management is not looking into it now, it will be bad for the Company,” says the mail.

While some of the emails are packed with anger and anguish, Tarmak007 also found many mails orchestrated. Reads another one: “Ashok Nayak is capable and that’s why he was selected as the chairman. What’s wrong if he continues for another year? There are so many projects that need his guidance (Jesus!). Are you trying to become a saint by running a series on HAL?”

Extension dreams: According to sources, a proposal has been sent to Ministry of Defence for increasing the superannuation age of chairman to 62. Sources also say that a separate proposal has already been mooted to increase the retirement age of all DGMs and above. Says an official: “I can confirm to you that we have asked MoD to increase the number of Directors from current 8 to 12. The other proposals, I cannot confirm.”

“In the last five years, the government has not extended the tenure of the CMD of any PSU as a matter of principle. If any exceptions are made now, then most of the 250-plus PSUS, Maharatnas and Navratnas will be behind the government sighting one reason or the other. As an example, if Nayak is given extension, then the government will be opening a Pandora’s Box,” say sources.

Says an email from P. Prabhu: “No serving director should be given any extension. It will be in violation of whatever succession plan we have. The government must ensure that HAL should be handed over to capable hands. There are many DGMS, AGMS and GMs who can be groomed to be HAL’s future leaders.”

Extension rumours are a regular phenomenon that happens in HAL whenever the top man is about to retire. While in the past many have tried hard and failed miserably, the current stalemate in PESB selection process is making the story-tellers busy.

According to an MoD official, Antony has the powers to given extension for 3 months under special circumstances. “If it is a regular extension, then the Cabinet Committee on Appointments (CCA) has to approve it. In the case of HAL, it is unlikely that the minister will give any extensions. No defence ministers in the past have done it, though there were proposals,” the official said.

If one goes by sources within HAL, there is a clear agenda to create a TINA (There Is No Alternative) situation. The big question is whether Antony will see-through the game plan, if at all there’s one? The onus is definitely on MoD, which for a long time has been turning a Nelson's eye towards the matters of HAL. The nation will be the biggest beneficiary, if Antony steps in and revamps HAL, like the way he did with DRDO.

While HAL might continue to be India's aviation leader for some more time, its fortunes would definitely erode, if men of steel, character and vision don't lead the Company.

(Next part: Saturday, September 10, 2011)

Kalam’s dream-HAL goes for a toss! Are the greedy babus putting Navratna giant to a slow death?

HAL needs creative leaders. Creative leadership means exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the commander to the coach, manager to the mentor, from director to delegator and from who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect. HAL must introduce a lot of inspiring leaders in the organisation. This will facilitate young engineers and designers to mingle with performers, seek their guidance and get inspired to excel in their tasks. __ Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (then President), New Delhi, December 2006.

Picture 2011! Five years after Dr Kalam spelt out his vision for HAL, things are panning out exactly opposite to what the great man thought. Youngsters are quitting in large numbers; nothing substantial when it comes to ongoing\new projects; mad scramble for vacant posts; little transparency in decision-making; many heading critical projects being charge-sheeted for ‘wrong-doing;’ morale of work-force on an all-time low; majority of employees in the dark with no pro-active communication channels available to air their views… the list is endless and not befitting to a Company that often boasts of being an aerospace giant in South Asia!

Sorry, Dr Kalam! Not sure whether the HAL you dreamt would take wing in the near future. Amidst all these man-made mess, the latest development making news is the power-struggle for the top-post. It can’t get murkier than this. It is this state of affairs that prompted Tarmak007 to launch the God Save HAL campaign -- an honest attempt to track truth. As it is. Just in case St Antony didn’t know, then this series could be an eye-opener for India’s defence minister!

Who will be the next Chairman? There are always two sides to a story, but when it comes to HAL one would find many sides. Some hard to believe, some tempting, some backed by facts and the rest all gas and no gyan. Last few months have been interesting for HAL-watchers as the media reports on a possible coup by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to push its man for the top job caught everybody’s imagination. While when one looks at the current affairs of the Company, may be that could have been the best choice. Simply, it would have put babus at bay and teach them a lesson or two on effective administration.

For the sake of discussion, let’s take the example of India’s Tejas programme: Until the PMT from IAF took charge at ADA, the pace of the programme wasn't healthy. What the babus didn’t know, the Men in Blue knew. They bridged the gap and the programme started to move at greater pace. Communication became stronger. HAL’s ‘interest’ in Tejas programme was on spotlight with DRDO chief Dr Saraswat mincing no words at different foras. IAF too made its stand clear by agreeing to IOC with many ifs and buts.

Back to chairman chase. Finally, Antony put an end to a possible embarrassment to HAL, by making a statement in Lok Sabha that IAF doesn’t have any interest in HAL's controls, apart from being its biggest customer. The IAF man who showed interest in HAL picked-up his promotion and moved out of the race. The babus rejoiced. But the mess continued.

The PESB – the sacred body on Earth mandated to pick the 16^th chairman of HAL-- is now in a fix. The interviews have been postponed twice indicating the heat and dust the crucial posting is creating. Sources tell Tarmak007 that the selection of chairman HAL was scheduled on 15^th June 2011 and then on 5^th August 2011. Both were postponed and the new date is not yet notified. The vacancy falls on November 1, 2011 after the current man Nayak will end his infamous tenure on 31^st October 2011. (Tried hard to put together some of his achievements, but even his close aides too couldn’t help. They came up with stuff like: Aero India 2011, Paris Air Show, LCH first flight, LCA IOC and so on. Sad, even my granny could have come out with better results, if she were given the mantle to run the show!).

Five external candidates were earlier short-listed by PESB and they included S.N. Misra, PCDA (Navy) Mumbai; S.S. Mohanty, PCDA (IAF) Bangalore; N.R. Myneni, CMD, MIDHANI, Hyderabad; S.K. Tripathi, CMD, MSTC, Mumbai and R.K. Tyagi, CMD, Pawan Hans, Delhi.

Now, it is confirmed by the PESB sources that the selection process is further delayed following an HAL official challenging the anomaly in the scrutiny process of PESB for short listing of candidates for interview, in the court of law. The Delhi High Court has given an order directing PESB to consider the candidature of Sudhir Kumar, Executive Director, Flight Safety, Bangalore, for the interview. A senior HR official tells Tarmak007 that this makes Sudhir Kumar the only candidate with proven background of aircraft and engine, manufacturing, overhaul experience. But, not sure whether PESB would buy this argument. And, other candidates too will have their share of points to defend their candidature.

So, will all these developments and delays play to the advantage of Nayak? Is he dreaming of an extension? Has he already made the first move? Who are the famous trio running HAL affairs? Why the media kept mum despite a virtual black-out? What are the options before Antony & Co? An insight into all these in the next part. Stay tuned!

(Next part: Wednesday, September 7, 2011)

(Are you working in HAL? Do you genuinely think that the Company is at crossroads? Want to stem the rot? Why not join Tarmak007's campaign by emailing your concerns about the Company to anantha.ak@gmail.com. Ensure that your inputs should be authentic and backed by facts. It's your turn now!)

God Save HAL! New series on Tarmak007 from Sept 5

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will turn 71 this December going by its initial formation date. Undoubtedly, the backbone of India's military aviation, HAL has stood the test of time. The birth of the new millennium saw the birth of many new players in Indian aviation. They knew that they could do very little to upstage HAL's might all of a sudden. While the Company managed to become a Navratna, what was hurting HAL was its dismal HR policies -- which was world-class on paper and shocking at ground-level. This enabled many private aerospace companies to lure the best brains from HAL. Though, the Company began to recruit large number of freshers (MTs/DTs) from 2005 onward -- probably after a gap of 10 years -- it ran out of ideas to inspire these gen-next engineers, designers and executives. The top management was often fighting to save their chair and in the last one year alone the Company saw some disastrous disturbances at the top. One power-greedy director (HR) Sanjeev Sahi ran way after he was denied the top most many times. Another technical director (now retired) quit twice sighting ill-health (read as harassment) only to be posted as HR head later. And the latest was the MoD's decision to look for a new finance head, forcing the man at the helm to leave. Amidst all this chaos, the current head of HAL Nayak is all set to complete his term on October 31. Going by insides at MoD & PESB -- we are set to witness some exciting turn-around in the next few months. The big question is whether the Company is made to suffer due to the vision-less succession plans of a bunch of selfish babus? Answers to these and more on Tarmak007 with the launch of a new series 'God Save HAL', from Monday, September 5, 2011. The series will initially hover around developments based on the race to the top post -- capturing the good, the bad and the ugly -- as the PESB warms up again to pick the 16th chairman of HAL. In case if you didn't know, the PESB had already postponed the interview to the top-post twice! Let, truth prevail!

(Are you working in HAL? Want to stem the rot? Why not join Tarmak007's campaign by emailing your concerns about the Company to anantha.ak@gmail.com. Ensure that your inputs should be authentic and backed by facts. It's your turn now!)

Sing is King! Baldy crowned HAL’s marketing boss

The fixed wing clan of HAL is sure to miss the soft-spoken Sqn Ldr (Retd) Baldev Singh (Baldy) in flying overalls, after he was formally crowned as the Company’s new marketing head. Baldy too will miss his undying tryst with the throttle. An HAL release says that he took over as the new Director Corporate Planning & Marketing on August 16 – to be seated at its HQ on Bangalore’s famous Cubbon Road – now defaced by the metro rail work. Baldy was Executive Director Flight Operations and the Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing), prior to the new assignment.

While the IJT-related incidents might have dented the spirit of Baldy and his team, insiders say that he has often kept himself out of the race from director-level opportunities in the past. “He was very much involved with the flying activities be it the IJT or Hawk. And, there could be other reasons, only he would know as to why he chose to stay away from holding top posts. Now, with him being appointed as the Director, he is sure to miss flying,” sources said. Baldy’s first task would be to chart a new flight-path for HAL’s marketing and corporate planning wings. With HAL sitting on a pile of projects, corporate planning becomes a vital cog in the wheel. He will also have to deal with an extremely mediocre head in Nayak, whose term will finally end on October 31 this year – a keenly awaited day by many in the Company. With defence minister Antony making a statement in the floor of the Parliament that the IAF is not trying to take control of HAL, it is now certain that a civilian is sure to take charge, try and save the sinking fortunes of the Company. By the time, hopefully Baldy would have got a grip on his men and machines!

THE MAN: Sqn Ldr Baldev Singh did early schooling in Bangalore at St. Joseph European High School and later joined St. Joseph College. He joined the National Defence Academy in 1970 and graduated from the academy in December 1972 and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 1973 as a fighter pilot. After doing operational flying on Hunter, Mig-21 and Mig-23 aircraft, he qualified as a Flight Instructor in July 1983, and was posted to Air Force Academy at Hyderabad for Instructional Flying Duties on the Kiran Aircraft. In 1984 he did his experimental test pilots course and was deputed to HAL in 1986. He retired from the Indian Air Force in 1989 and joined HAL. He was involved with the LCA Programme from 1990 onwards and was deputed to the Aeronautical Development Agency for this purpose. On the LCA programme he worked extensively on the development and flight testing of the flight control laws of the Light Combat aircraft. He carried out the flight evaluation of these flight control laws at the Real Time simulator at BAE Wharton in UK followed by the flight evaluation of these control laws on the F-16, Lear Jet and NT-33 aircraft in USA. He holds a diploma in Aviation Flight Safety from the Naval Post Graduate College, Monterey Bay, California, USA. He has extensive test flying experience on five prototype programmes and carried out the first flights of the HANSA aircraft and the Intermediate Jet Trainer. He has a Total Flight Test Experience of over 6000 hrs on over 55 different types of aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and holds a diploma in Aviation Flight Safety from the Naval Post Graduate College, Monterey Bay, California, USA.

Tarmak007 Videos (TV-007) ground run: Close encounter with a black beauty!

(Tarmak007 Videos -- TV-007)

Tarmak007 Impact: Missing HAL chairman's JD back on PESB website at supersonic speed!

The job description (JD) that resurfaced on PESB website just 2 hours after Tarmak007 posted the story below. Here's the complete JD. Now, there are  69 total vacancies and corresponding JDs listed  (instead of 70, two hours back) and  HAL chairman's JD is at Sl No. 65, (instead of 66, two hours back). Sometimes, the response travels faster than light in India! And, may be it's time to coin the word -- Blog-bomb!

Breaking on Tarmak007: The vanishing act -- Job description (JD) for HAL chairman goes missing from PESB website mysteriously!

 A screenshot of  PESB website which gives out the vacancies of various PSUs/DPSUs. 

  The Sl N. 66 in the above screenshot is specific to HAL Chairman's vacancy and if you click on the job description (JD), you are in for a shocker. The JD was posted on December 9, 2010 with February 7, 2011 deadline, for candidates to apply.

    The current tenure status of HAL Board Directors on PESB site. In the second column you will find Director (Finance) D. Shivamurti, whose five-year tenure ended on October 27, 2010. He is yet to get an extension. Read the report below for more on this. 
(Click on the images  above for better viewing)

It was a tip-off from a senior HAL man today morning that prompted Tarmak007 to hit the PESB website. With most of the tip-offs from HAL turning out to be one with no-substance, lack of evidence and those coming out of petty ego clashes, Tarmak007 had taken HAL completely  off the radar for some time, now. Moreover, the Media in Bangalore are often left in the lurch as to whom to contact in HAL for some authentic info. The situation might be different for some publications, who always print please-all interviews as part of their survival package. Otherwise, HAL continues to celebrate their 70-year-long existence in India, behind iron curtain. Doors shut on the media, completely, for over an year now! And, did anyone say that we are living in an IT era?
Oops! Back to PESB website! After a thorough check of all the details on the site, Tarmak007 found that HAL Chairman’s job description (JD) is missing at Sl No 66, though the vacancy is advertised. After calling up all possible numbers at PESB and then being made to do the phono-merry-go-round – a standard act by babudom --   an insider finally had the guts to say said that “there could be some issues with the JD.” He confirmed that it is not a technical hitch as all the other JD’s are opening instantly. Tarmak007’s attempts to get in touch with Vedantam Giri, Director, PESB, on 011 24362936, didn’t find the desired result as his office staff kept on transmitting the same message – we journalists often get -- “Saab meeting main hain.”

So what’s the breaking news? Well, the current HAL chairman Nayak’s tenure is ending on October 31, 2011. The PESB generally begins the routine procedure to find a replacement 8-10 months in advance, ahead of a post going vacant. It gives the candidates 2 months to apply after fulfilling all the procedures. Then the interviews and so on.

“It (HAL chairman’s position) will be the most sought-after one now, with no  candidates being eligible from HAL, to apply. The senior-most director (finance) D. Shivamurti has his share of worries regarding his extension. He was even rejected during earlier occasions when he appeared for the chairman’s post,” says a source.

Shivamurti too is a worried man because his tenure as HAL Director (F) ended on October 27, 2010 and neither the PESB nor MoD have made up their minds, whether to keep him or dump him. There's no rhyme or reason as to why a crucial post in a DPSU is kept hanging from a cliff! There are multiple theories hovering around in HAL and in MoD as to why this man is not being given an extension or why it is being delayed. For want of confirmation, Tarmak007 can’t post these ‘plane theories,’ but will get you the right stuff, soon.

The PESB put out the JD for next chairman on December 9, 2010 (its website confirms the date) and according to insiders in HAL, it vanished after a day, a fact that could not be verified by the blogger. But it’s missing now and there’s something cooking!

Is HAL finally going to get an outsider as its chairman, after a long time? Is he going to be from the Indian Air Force (IAF)? Is the JD being withdrawn so that, it can be tweaked, trimmed and tilted to get more candidates onboard? With none being most-likely eligible from HAL for the chairman’s post (as things stand now), it is very clear that there’s a re-think from the part of PESB or MoD as to how the JD should look like.

There are 70 vacancies listed on the PESB site as on 15.12.2010, out of which many are from DPSUs. Even the BEL Chairman’s post too is advertised along with many Directors of BEML, BEL, BDL and even HAL.

So, where did  HAL Chairman’s JD disappear? And, that's the breaking news folks, today!

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'Simple' Srinivasan is HAL's HR head; former chopper complex chief gets a peaceful, but crucial posting

HAL's new HR Director R. Srinivasan. He was earlier MD Helicopter Complex and also GM of Aerospace Division. He is now left with under 8 months to restore some order to HAL's depleting HR department.

 | By Anantha Krishnan M. | AVIATION WEEK |

Bangalore |  India | October 22, 2010 |
Finally, an HR head for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd! This after the former HR director (S. Sahi) quit in a huff in April 2010 to join a private firm, without getting the mandatory clearance from Ministry of Defense (MoD), then. The post was lying vacant ever since. Insiders say that the former chopper complex chief R. Srinivasan will have a Herculean task ahead of him to set the house in order, considering the mess HAL's HR is in now.

For the full story, please visit the Aviation Week link below:

www.aviationweek.com/india