Aerospace

Regulator fines Air India $37,000 for unruly passenger incident

Air India Rolls Out New Travel Guidelines for Retired Workers

Many travelers were outraged by the event in which a drunk passenger in Air India’s business class urinated on fellow passengers, and it also raised concerns about the airline standards. Now According to news from the Times of India. On Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) fined Air India Rs 30 lakh for the drunken urination episode on board a flight from New York to Delhi, in which the airline disregarded its policies on dealing with disruptive passengers. The pilot-in-license commands have been put on three-month suspension.

DGCA says follow-up action to be taken after detailed probe into IndiGo plane’s engine fire incident(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the information gathered here, the DGCA is conducting an inquiry on both ends after cases were filed by both sides. It was determined that the airline handled the incident improperly, causing the victim to experience the worst possible scenario. If the offender had been detained immediately after the offense, the case would have been treated correctly; however, it wasn’t until the victim complained that the matter was given serious consideration. Air India gets penalized for the mistakes after taking into account all the factors.

“On January 4, 2023, the DGCA was made aware of a passenger misbehavior incident that occurred on the AI-102 flight from New York to New Delhi on November 26, 2022. According to reports, a male passenger discharged himself on a female passenger.

The DGCA addressed show-cause letters to each of the flight’s pilots and cabin crew members, as well as to the accountable manager of Air India, the director of AI’s in-flight services, asking them to justify why no enforcement action should be taken against them for breaking regulatory standards. In a statement made public on Friday, the DGCA claimed to have investigated Air India’s written answer and the parties concerned.

Air India to take legal action and impose fine on unruly passengers, to charge Rs 5 lakh for 1 hour delay(Opens in a new browser tab)

“As a result, the following enforcement actions have been put into practice in this situation: Due to the violation of the pertinent DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, Air India was fined Rs. 30 lakh. If the pilot-in-command of the aforementioned flight does to carry out his duties in accordance with Rule 141 of the 1937 Aircraft Rules and any relevant DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements, his license will be suspended for three months (03 months).

Air India’s Director-in-Flight Services was fined Rs. 3 lakhs for not carrying out her responsibilities in compliance with the pertinent DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements.”

The airline has already placed the passenger (Mishra) on its “No Fly List.” The director general of civil aviation has received a copy of the Internal Committee report from Air India, who has also informed other domestic carriers, according to a spokeswoman for the airline.

The national no-fly list, which is maintained by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), temporarily prevents rowdy passengers from boarding planes operated by all Indian carriers. Mishra is now only prohibited from boarding Air India aircraft.

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.

Aerospace

Four Airbus A380 Superjumbos lined up to be scrapped

EASA Proposes AD for Airbus A380 Wing Rib Foot Cracks

In a strategic move aimed at reclaiming valuable resources from the iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, VAS Aero Services and Dr. Peters Group have announced a significant collaboration.

This partnership marks a milestone in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, with four of these colossal planes slated for teardown and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM).

The venture between VAS Aero Services, renowned for its expertise in aircraft dismantlement, and Dr. Peters Group, a prominent Germany-based investment fund management firm, underscores a commitment to sustainable aviation practices. This isn’t their first foray into scrapping A380s; their successful partnership has already seen the dismantlement of these aircraft, making them pioneers in this niche.

Under the agreement, the latest consignment brings the tally to eight A380s entrusted to VAS by Dr. Peters Group. Managing Director Christian Mailly of Dr. Peters Group emphasized the trust placed in VAS, citing their unparalleled capabilities in dismantlement and aftermarket sales network. It’s a strategic move in response to the growing demand for quality USM parts, particularly with the resurgence in reliance on the A380.

Notably, the teardown process will be carried out at various locations, optimizing the positioning of harvested parts to cater to different markets. While some parts will be positioned in Europe to support operators in the region and the Middle East, others will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. This meticulous strategy ensures efficient access to spare parts, benefiting MROs and airlines across these markets.

The decision to retire these A380s comes at a time when operators are reassessing fleet strategies amidst evolving market dynamics. Despite initial plans for quick retirement due to the emergence of more fuel-efficient alternatives, factors such as a rebound in long-haul demand and delays in new widebody deliveries have prompted operators to reconsider. The A380, with its unique capacity and capabilities, presents a practical solution for short-term capacity management.