Aviation

Aircraft built by a Mumbai man on terrace gets license to fly

Mumbai: In an unparalleled achievement, a commercial pilot who made a full-fledged aircraft on the terrace of his residence has been awarded a registration by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, a top official said here on Monday.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis formally handed over the DGCA certificate to Capt. Amol Yadav, presently a Deputy Chief Pilot with Jet Airways.

Working virtually single-handedely, Yadav built the six-seater aircraft on a residential building terrace in Kandivali suburb, north-west Mumbai, over the past six years and finally it has been accorded official recognition.

“Encouraging efforts… Great example of @makeinindia! Captain Amol Yadav gets certificate of registration from DGCA, meets CM @Dev_Fadnavis to thank his efforts and follow up with Hon PM @narendramodi & Government of India It is 1st Indian private company to get this certificate!,” the Chief Minister’s Office tweeted in a congratulatory message.

The DGCA certification implies that Yadav can now undertake further tests and fly the aircraft in the open skies.

Yadav, 41, had displayed the aircraft during the “Make In India” mega-event in Mumbai last year which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of several foreign dignitaries.

At the event in February 2016, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Fadnavis saw his aircraft, appreciated the efforts and had assured him all help to make his venture a success.

“The terrace atop my three-BHK flat is spread over around 1,600 square feet and served as my workshop for this aircraft which I created in the past over six years,” Yadav told mediapersons.

He said the inspiration to assemble a full-fledged plane came to him after he witnessed aviation buffs in the US buying phased-out aircraft and remodelling them into customised six-seater or twelve-seater flying machines.

Presently parked on an airstrip in Dhule, Yadav’s aircraft Yadav can fly upto beights of 13,000 feet, climbing at 1,500 feet per minute, achieve top speeds of 185 knots with a range of 2,000 kms, and a capacity to carry six people.

The Maharashtra government plans to allot a 155-acre plot in Palghar, adjacent to Mumbai from where Yadav intends to build upto 20-seater passenger aircraft over the next few years through his venture, Thrust India Company.

Aviation

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Manufacturing After Seven-Week Strike

In a crucial move for its recovery, Boeing has restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner, about a month after a significant seven-week strike involving 33,000 factory workers came to an end.

This marks a key milestone for the planemaker, which has been facing considerable challenges in recent years, including heavy debt and a series of setbacks.

Another Nation Set to Acquire Embraer C-390 Millennium Aircraft

According to the report from Reuters, Boeing resumed the production of the 737 MAX jetliner last week, a pivotal step as the company aims to meet the growing global demand for air travel. With over 4,200 orders from airlines, Boeing’s ability to get the 737 MAX production line back in motion is vital for its financial recovery.

Although Boeing had previously planned to restart production earlier, the company faced numerous obstacles that delayed this process. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Mike Whitaker told Reuters on Thursday that while Boeing had not yet resumed production, they had plans to restart by the end of the month.

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

The road to this point has been rocky for Boeing. Setbacks such as the tragic fatal crashes of the 737 MAX, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, production safety concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to delays in the company’s efforts to ramp up production.

The seven-week strike, which involved thousands of Boeing’s factory workers, added yet another hurdle. Despite these challenges, production of the 737 MAX officially resumed on Friday, according to one of the anonymous sources.

Boeing, however, declined to comment on the matter. The planemaker is now focused on reaching its goal of producing 56 737 MAX airplanes per month, a target that has been delayed due to the many issues that have beset the company over the past few years.