Asia
A closer look at “Saras”, India’s first home-made passenger plane
A closer look at “Saras”, India’s first home-made passenger plane : Saras, a 19-seater turboprop aircraft is the country’s first passenger and transport plane. Bengaluru-based National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) has designed the aircraft. According to the reports, the passenger plane will have multi-role capabilities like feeder line aircraft, air ambulance, executive aircraft, troop transport, reconnaissance, aerial survey and light cargo transport. NAL Director Jitendra J Jadhav speaking to a National Media Channel said the engine tests have already begun and test flights were successfully contrived this year.
The project was resurrected in 2016. The 7,000-kg plane has already made two successful test flights this year.
It would cost Rs 1,000 crore before production starts in 2022. But that’s still a saving compared to what India currently pays. Saras is expected to cost Rs 45 crore, while a comparable Dornier plane costs Rs 60 crore.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been identified as the production agency for the military version of Saras, while the production of civil version will be given to a private player, NAL says. India needs 120-160 aircraft in this segment — both civil and military versions — in the next 10 years.
According to NAL, the aircraft available in the international market are of 1970s technology, such as Beechcraft 19000D, Dornier-228 and Embraer EMB 110. They have higher fuel consumption, lower speed, unpressurised cabin, high operating cost and unsuitable for operations from hot and high-altitude airfields.
“India needs a 19-seater aircraft. We are planning to make a plane with 2018 technology but 30 per cent cheaper than imported aircraft. It will also have 20 per cent better performance than imported aircraft,” the NAL director said.
Courtesy : NDTV
Aerospace
Argentina is wrapping up the purchase of the LCH Prachand Helicopter and the Indian-built Tejas Mark 1 fighter.
Argentina is apparently looking at acquiring advanced military equipment from India in order to strengthen its defense capabilities. According to a report, Argentina is planning to buy Prachanda helicopters and Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets.
Jorge Taiana, the defense minister of Argentina, will speak with Rajnath Singh, the defense minister of India, in a bilateral meeting on July 18 to discuss ways to strengthen defense and collaboration during his visit to India. Additionally, a letter of intent to buy 20 “Prachand” helicopters is anticipated to be inked. A deal worth Rs 8675 crore could possibly be reached with India for the fourth-generation fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-1A and LCH Prachanda.
India’s first indigenous multi-role combat helicopter, the LCH Prachand, is capable of both aerial and ground attacks. The helicopter has a top speed of 288 mph, a combat radius of 500 km, and a service ceiling of 21,000 feet. Prachanda helicopters, known for their versatility and reliability, have gained international acclaim for their outstanding performance in challenging environments. These multi-role helicopters can be deployed for a wide range of missions, including troop transport, search and rescue operations, and anti-submarine warfare.
Additionally, Argentina needs 12 light combat aircraft, for which China and HAL have both offered letters of intent. This deal was expected to put Tejas against the Chinese JF-17, although HAL has made substantial progress in this area. Earlier, Argentina’s Defence Minister and Air Force Chief had expressed their desire to buy this Tejas aircraft in Aero India 2023. Tejas, a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made in India, is quickly becoming the first choice of several countries.
Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet is India’s indigenously developed state-of-the-art aircraft, widely acknowledged for its cutting-edge technology and exceptional combat capabilities. The lightweight, supersonic fighter jet boasts advanced avionics, smart weapons systems, and superior maneuverability, making it an ideal choice for modern air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements. By incorporating the Tejas Mark 1A into its air force, Argentina aims to strengthen its aerial defense and gain a competitive edge in the region.
Argentina’s decision to buy Tejas Mark 1A fighter planes and Prachanda helicopters comes at a crucial point as it works to solve security issues in the area and strengthen its position in the defense industry. The purchase of these cutting-edge aircraft represents a major advancement in the nation’s attempts to improve its military capabilities and keep a strong defense position.
Aerospace
Indigo intends to place an order for an A330 at the Paris Air Show in 2023.?
According to source Planeopedia, Indigo may place an order for A330 aircraft at the upcoming Paris Air show in 2023.
With a 51% market share in the Indian aviation market and a fleet of more than 300 aircraft, Indigo Airlines is an affordable airline from India. Next month, at the Paris Airshow 2023, Indigo is ready to place an order for Airbus A330 aircraft.
Vistara airlines starts non-stop flight services to Paris from Delhi(Opens in a new browser tab)
Recently, Indigo Airlines began operating flights from India to Europe and the UK under a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines. and began flying the Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft for the first time in its history.
With their new activities, the airline is now providing cheap worldwide travel. The airline already has India’s largest internal flight network, and it now plans to grow its international travel business by entering Europe.
JetBlue to Add Service to Paris,(Opens in a new browser tab)
Why would Indigo choose the A330 Neo over the wide-body A350 or B777?
Currently, the B777 and A330 are the two well-known wide-body aircraft with significant passenger capacity.
The A350 aircraft would be more expensive for Indigo and would also be best suited for full-service airlines. One of the low-cost carriers, Indigo, plans to carry more passengers while incurring less maintenance costs.
With the A330, maintaining the supply chain for parts and the maintenance of the airframe is also simple for Indigo, which currently operates aircraft from the A320 family. There are a number of reasons why has apparently decided on the A330.
The Airbus A330neo, which has new engines and enhanced aerodynamics that lower operating costs, is a fuel-efficient aircraft built specifically for these types of flights. It is a popular option for airlines because it can transport up to 440 passengers and has a range of up to 7,200 nautical miles.
Additionally, the type is significantly less expensive than its Airbus and Boeing counterparts. According to sources, huge discounts are being offered to IndiGo for the type because Airbus’ factory has an excess of the aircraft’s non-taken-up units (ntu) due to the restructuring of the aircraft’s largest customer, AirAsia X. So,
it will only take the airline six months to receive the new aircraft. Additionally, due to fleet commonality, purchasing the Airbus A330neo is simpler for pilot training. The fact that Bangalore, India, already has an Airbus A330 simulator would make it easier to assure crew training as soon as possible.
Airlines
Singapore’s Scoot selects Embraer E190-E2 lease arrangement with Azorra.
Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, has selected the Embraer E190-E2 to unlock growth in the region. Nine E190-E2 will join Scoot’s fleet in a lease arrangement with Azorra. The first delivery of the E190-E2, the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft under 150 seats, is scheduled for delivery in 2024. The aircraft will come from Azorra’s existing backlog with Embraer.
Embraer E195-E2 and E190-E2 Receives Type Certification in Canada(Opens in a new browser tab)
Embraer’s E-Jets E2 family of aircraft delivers the best environmental efficiency, operating performance, and passenger comfort. The aircraft’s sophisticated aerodynamics, novel wing design, and new technologies deliver a 25% decrease in carbon emissions and fuel burn over the previous generation E-Jets.
Embraer and commercial aviation lessor Azorra announced last week a new eight-aircraft deal with Royal Jordanian Airlines, Jordan’s flag carrier. The agreement will see the introduction of both the E190-E2 and E195-E2 to the airline’s fleet. Aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in Q4 2023.
The agreement covers eight commercial aircraft, four E190-E2 and four E195-E2, with a list price value of $635M. Six aircraft, four E190-E2, and two E195-E2 come from Azorra’s existing backlog with Embraer. Two further E195-E2s are firm orders with Embraer directly from the airline, which were added to Embraer’s Q4 2022 backlog as ‘undisclosed’.
Embraer E190-E2 Granted Type Certification in China(Opens in a new browser tab)
Building on the announcement made by Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) in October last year, in which the airline revealed its plans to expand its fleet with new generation aircraft, E2 was specifically chosen for its superior performance and operational efficiency. The aircraft is aligned with RJ’s strategic goals to renew and grow the fleet that is deployed to destinations within the Levant. The airline’s strategic plan is to further boost RJ’s position as the preferred airline in the region by offering improved connectivity to a wider network, positioning Amman as the leading gateway to the Levant.
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