Aviation

The best and worst airline food of 2017 revealed

What is the new Impossible food menu on United Airlines?

A diet expert has some food for thought for flyers – which airlines offer the best and worst food. Every year Dr Charles Platkin, a lecturer at the City University of New York School of Public Health, investigates the nutritional value of snacks and meals offered by 12 US and Canadian carriers and provides a calorie breakdown of what’s available. And this year’s results are out, with the food served on Delta and Virgin America flights rated the best.(dailymail)

The 2017 Annual Airline Food Investigation published on dietdetective.com rates both airlines four out of five. Dr Platkin praises Delta and Virgin America for not only offering healthy snacks and meals but also being very forthcoming with the nutritional information about all of their items

According dietdetective.com The Thanksgiving holiday season is traditionally the busiest travel time of the year, and 2017 is expected to be the busiest since about 2005. Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, predicts that 28.5 million passengers will travel on U.S. airlines during the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period. This number is up 3 percent from 2016 and represents an increase of 69,000 daily passengers compared to the 2016 Thanksgiving travel period.

Once again we contacted the airlines to request nutrition information for the foods they serve and make available for purchase to economy-class passengers on domestic flights and gathered data stored on websites and other online resources to bring you the 2017-2018 Airline Food Survey.

Best and worst airlines for healthy meals

Delta: 4 stars

Virgin America: 4 stars

Air Canada: 3.75 stars

JetBlue: 3.75 stars

Alaska Airlines: 3.5 stars

United Airlines: 2.75 stars

American: 2.5 stars

Frontier Air: 2.25 stars

Southwest Airlines: 2 stars

Allegiant Air: 1.75 stars

Spirit Airlines: 1.75 stars

Hawaiian Airlines: 1 star

for more info :www.dietdetective.com

Aviation

India Launches Its Medium-Lift Class Helicopter Program, chooses New Engine

India’s longstanding need for a Medium Helicopter may soon become a reality as the country has fully ramped up its engine development efforts. This new helicopter is set to replace the Russian-built models currently in service and will play a crucial role across various scenarios for the Indian Armed Forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) have launched a groundbreaking partnership to develop a state-of-the-art high-power engine named Aravalli.

This new engine will power the upcoming 13-ton Medium Lift Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both of which are being designed and developed by HAL.

Named after the majestic Aravalli mountain range in India, the Aravalli engine symbolizes the country’s drive for self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, in critical engine technologies. This cutting-edge engine will be instrumental for the IMRH, a versatile 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, and the DBMRH, a 12.5-ton naval variant tailored for the Indian Navy.

The IMRH is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian armed forces over the next decade. With its first flight expected in 3 to 4 years, the IMRH is anticipated to begin induction by 2030, with plans to integrate between 300 to 400 units, and potentially more in the future.

The IMRH is envisioned as a highly versatile multi-role helicopter that will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian military. The DBMRH, designed for naval operations, will also face the challenges of high-altitude environments in regions such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas of strategic importance due to their proximity to the China border.

In addition to its military applications, the Aravalli engine is projected to enter the civil market, serving roles in offshore operations, utility services, and VVIP transport. The long-term vision includes Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities to further extend the engine’s utility and support the aviation industry.

This collaboration between HAL and SAFHAL builds on their successful history of working together on the Shakti engine, which powers several HAL helicopters, including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and the Light Utility Helicopter. The proven success of this partnership lays a strong foundation for the development of the Aravalli engine, setting the stage for a new era in India’s helicopter capabilities.