Aviation

Bangalore residents were puzzled after an Air India one B777 VVIP circling at a low altitude

In Bengaluru’s Koramangala neighborhood, residents have been experiencing persistent disturbance from a jet flying overhead for the past two days.

Many individuals in the community have noted a Boeing aircraft making repeated passes over the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Airport, causing concern and speculation. The specific aircraft identified is a Boeing 777-337 (ER) with registration number K7067, known for its role in transporting VVIPs such as the president, vice president, and prime minister.

Flight tracking data from platforms like Flightradar24 confirmed its departure from Delhi and subsequent circling of the HAL airport six times before returning to Bengaluru.

Residents have expressed frustration and annoyance at the continuous noise generated by the low-flying aircraft, particularly those in the Indiranagar and Koramangala areas. Some have shared sightings of the aircraft approaching ground level before ascending again without making contact.

Mohan Krishnan, a former scientist at the National Informatics Centre, suggested that the aircraft’s activities could be related to maintenance checks or pilot training, especially considering the implementation of the model code of conduct due to the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite ongoing concerns raised by residents and observations of the aircraft over the past weeks, officials have yet to provide any formal statements regarding the nature or purpose of the low-level flights over Bengaluru.

Really low flying plane circling Bangalore near Koramangala / Indiranagar area. This is the 6th circle. Comes really close to ground then takes off again without touching. Military exercise? pic.twitter.com/A9OpoJXIaj
— Hemant Mohapatra (@MohapatraHemant) April 3, 2024

Aviation

Airbus Plans Cockpit Toilet to Make Single-Pilot Operations a Reality

In a bold move aimed at cutting costs, Airbus is exploring the possibility of installing a potty-style toilet right behind the Captain’s seat on its A350 long-haul aircraft. According to the reports from paddleyourownkanoo.com

This proposal is part of the ongoing effort to implement Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), a concept that could revolutionize the aviation industry by reducing the number of pilots required on ultra-long-haul flights.

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Currently, on long flights, two pilots stay in the cockpit while the others rest in a separate compartment. However, under eMCO, one pilot could be alone in the cockpit for up to three hours while the other sleeps. The goal is to reduce crew costs and improve airline efficiency, as fewer pilots would be needed for these flights.

But this proposal has raised concerns from pilot unions, who worry about safety and the challenges of single-pilot operations. To address the issue of bathroom breaks, Airbus suggests installing a radio-equipped toilet in the cockpit, allowing the pilot to use it without leaving their seat.

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If the pilot needs to use the toilet, the second pilot would have to be woken up, terminating the eMCO process temporarily.

If successful, Airbus plans to begin testing this system on its A350 aircraft as soon as 2027, with single-pilot operations possibly being introduced on freighter Airbus A320s within the next five years.