Aviation

Indian Navy bids farewell to reconnaissance IL 38 SD aircraft

Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft of the Indian Navy departed the country after 46 illustrious years of service.

At INS Hansa, Dabolim, on October 31, there was a decommissioning ceremony. Aside from dignitaries, the Chief of Naval Staff, families attended the occasion and shared memories of their yeoman service with veteran commanders and sailors of the IL-38 unit.

The Navy entered a new phase of airborne Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare on October 1, 1977, when IL-38 aircraft were introduced and INAS 315 was put into service.

Over the years, the IL-38 SD has demonstrated its exceptional force multiplier capabilities with its striking prowess, long reach, and unique capabilities that span the broad Indian Ocean region. The formidable “Winged Stallion” that graces the squadron crest has been honoring the slogan of the unit, “Victory is my Profession,” by keeping a vigilant watch over and beneath the waves as it relentlessly seeks to safeguard the country’s maritime borders.

With the IL-38 SD De-induction ceremony, a golden period that brought about ground-breaking capabilities in Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare missions comes to an end. The historical significance of the IL-38 SD’s operational role as “Eyes in the Sky” in an ever-changing and dynamic Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its invaluable contribution to several mission-critical deployments will live on forever in the history of Indian Naval Aviation.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.