【New Delhi】For decades, Indian expertise in designing and building aircraft has been developed randomly, with isolated areas of excellence offset by large capability gaps in important fields. Now a new government body has begun coordinating the holistic development of the country's aeronautical capability.
Just as the Atomic Energy Commission oversees the field of nuclear energy, and the Space Commission coordinates India's space programmes, many believe that empowered National Aeronautics Coordination Group (NACG), chaired by the Secretary (Defence Production), must coordinate and oversee the development of capabilities, facilities and skilled human resources needed to design and build aircraft, both military and commercial.
Functioning below the NACG would be the more hands-on and technology oriented Design & Development Management Board (DDMB). On Thursday, the DDMB held its first meeting in Bangalore. Says the official, "It was highlighted that there are nine R&D centres within Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) alone; Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has its own R&D centre; so does National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) and other establishments of the Department of Science & Technology. These are pursuing the same goals."
○AirAsia India eyes early start to ops
【Chennai】In a step closer to kicking off its Indian operations, AirAsia India, a joint venture of Malaysia's budget carrier AirAsia, Tata Sons, and Arun Bathia of Telestra Tradeplace, received its first aircraft — an Airbus A320 — at Kamaraj airport, Chennai.
The company is hoping for a commercial take-off by later this year. The joint venture, which has cleared all but one hurdle, is still awaiting a flying licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
【News source】
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AirAsia India eyes early start to ops
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