Friday, July 03, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
AME Licence Exam Admitted List Revised
DGCA has revised the list of candidates admitted for AME Licence Examination (Jun2009-Regular Session). The examinations are on 7 & 8 July, 2009.
The revised list for various centers:
03/07/09 DGCA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The revised list for various centers:
03/07/09 DGCA
Students hold on to hope of refunds from defunct flight school
Little has been resolved a year after American School of Aviation hastily closed amid a growing stack of unpaid bills, leaving about 100 aspiring pilots without their wings.Gemini Flight Service, which sold the flight school gasoline, still hasn't received the $56,000 it's owed.
Merced County may go to trial this year to collect $700,000 in past and future rent due under the five-year lease it had with ASA.
Students, mostly from India, were left without training and their tuition money when American School of Aviation closed a year ago at Castle.
And dozens of students, who filed suit because they were left without flying certificates or tuition refunds, are still seeking closure.
"I'm still frustrated," former ASA student Nigel Dsouza said Wednesday. "I hope we get some money."
Dsouza, 19, had been at the school for three months before it folded in June 2008. He went back to India for a month, returning to San Jose to complete his training. He's 15 days shy of his commercial license.
American School of Aviation opened at Castle Commerce Center in 2005, using the former Air Force base's barracks as dorms.
The students accuse ASA's owner Manpreet "Prince" Singh of using tuition from new students to pay past bills to keep the business solvent, according to court filings.
Collectively, the 100 students, mainly Indians studying in the United States on visas, lost about $4 million. Despite the allegations of misconduct, FBI spokesman Steven Dupre said last week that the bureau has declined to open an investigation for a variety of reasons, though he declined to elaborate. Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II had asked the FBI to consider a probe because his office couldn't handle the forensic accounting needed to build a case.
Singh has maintained that ASA employees in India made off with some of the business' cash and that rising fuel prices further burdened the school to the point where it had to close.
He declined to comment in an e-mail.
After ASA shut down, students filed a lawsuit in an effort to recoup the $40,000 they each paid in tuition. The one case was stalled, court records show, because the students have been unable to serve Singh with the civil complaint. A deputy and a private service company have been unable to find him.
At a hearing last week in Merced County Superior Court, the attorneys were granted permission to notice the case in a legal journal so it could proceed.
02/07/09 Scott Jason/Merced Sun-Star, USA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Merced County may go to trial this year to collect $700,000 in past and future rent due under the five-year lease it had with ASA.
Students, mostly from India, were left without training and their tuition money when American School of Aviation closed a year ago at Castle.
And dozens of students, who filed suit because they were left without flying certificates or tuition refunds, are still seeking closure.
"I'm still frustrated," former ASA student Nigel Dsouza said Wednesday. "I hope we get some money."
Dsouza, 19, had been at the school for three months before it folded in June 2008. He went back to India for a month, returning to San Jose to complete his training. He's 15 days shy of his commercial license.
American School of Aviation opened at Castle Commerce Center in 2005, using the former Air Force base's barracks as dorms.
The students accuse ASA's owner Manpreet "Prince" Singh of using tuition from new students to pay past bills to keep the business solvent, according to court filings.
Collectively, the 100 students, mainly Indians studying in the United States on visas, lost about $4 million. Despite the allegations of misconduct, FBI spokesman Steven Dupre said last week that the bureau has declined to open an investigation for a variety of reasons, though he declined to elaborate. Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II had asked the FBI to consider a probe because his office couldn't handle the forensic accounting needed to build a case.
Singh has maintained that ASA employees in India made off with some of the business' cash and that rising fuel prices further burdened the school to the point where it had to close.
He declined to comment in an e-mail.
After ASA shut down, students filed a lawsuit in an effort to recoup the $40,000 they each paid in tuition. The one case was stalled, court records show, because the students have been unable to serve Singh with the civil complaint. A deputy and a private service company have been unable to find him.
At a hearing last week in Merced County Superior Court, the attorneys were granted permission to notice the case in a legal journal so it could proceed.
02/07/09 Scott Jason/Merced Sun-Star, USA
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
UPES & Center for Aviation Studies launching B Sc (Aviation Studies) program
The University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Gurgaon (UPES) through the Center for Aviation Studies (CAS) is launching a B Sc (Aviation Studies) degree program specifically designed and administered for the Airline Pilot who is interested in upgrading his educational qualification with the intent of not only moving up the value chain and do an MBA/PG/Ph D or compete with similarly qualified aviation professionals but without cockpit experience.
CAS visualizes that in the future, the aviation industry will continue to become leaner, thinner, aggressively competitive and multi tasked and multi skilled. The team of professionals manning this industry will be forced to compete within themselves and logically the winner will be the one who is pre – equipped for this. And the time for that is NOW.
CAS believes that at one point of time senior pilots, in addition to flying duties, will also like to shoulder additional managerial responsibilities. CAS also is convinced that these senior pilots are inherently better equipped to handle these managerial and corporate responsibilities as compared to those without any flying experience.
To actualize this potential in pilots and to hone their skills and knowledge, the CAS now offers a B Sc (Aviation Studies) degree. This degree is recognized by the UGC and allows the student pilot to pursue further higher studies in India or abroad within the formal Indian University education system. This degree permits full credit transfer of the subjects learnt at the Ground School, the Flying School, the DGCA exams, the RT exam and also gives due weightage to work experience. The modular structure of this degree program permits lateral entry at all levels and ensures that the pilot works for and is awarded this degree in the shortest possible time while at the same time ensuring no disruption in his study or work schedule.
UPES is an equal opportunity University and strives to support its students in all ways. Therefore, the degree structure enunciated above is vibrant, open and dynamic and UPES will constantly endeavor to keep its programs student friendly and hassle free.
For details, contact: PK Gupta, Adjunct Professor & Program Director. E-Mail: pkgupta@upes.ac.in Cell: 0-9810331188
30/06/09 PRESS RELEASE/University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Gurgaon
To read the news in full |
PermaLink CAS visualizes that in the future, the aviation industry will continue to become leaner, thinner, aggressively competitive and multi tasked and multi skilled. The team of professionals manning this industry will be forced to compete within themselves and logically the winner will be the one who is pre – equipped for this. And the time for that is NOW.
CAS believes that at one point of time senior pilots, in addition to flying duties, will also like to shoulder additional managerial responsibilities. CAS also is convinced that these senior pilots are inherently better equipped to handle these managerial and corporate responsibilities as compared to those without any flying experience.
To actualize this potential in pilots and to hone their skills and knowledge, the CAS now offers a B Sc (Aviation Studies) degree. This degree is recognized by the UGC and allows the student pilot to pursue further higher studies in India or abroad within the formal Indian University education system. This degree permits full credit transfer of the subjects learnt at the Ground School, the Flying School, the DGCA exams, the RT exam and also gives due weightage to work experience. The modular structure of this degree program permits lateral entry at all levels and ensures that the pilot works for and is awarded this degree in the shortest possible time while at the same time ensuring no disruption in his study or work schedule.
UPES is an equal opportunity University and strives to support its students in all ways. Therefore, the degree structure enunciated above is vibrant, open and dynamic and UPES will constantly endeavor to keep its programs student friendly and hassle free.
For details, contact: PK Gupta, Adjunct Professor & Program Director. E-Mail: pkgupta@upes.ac.in Cell: 0-9810331188
30/06/09 PRESS RELEASE/University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Gurgaon
Courses that can take you up
Thiruvananthapuram: Want to cash in on the boom in the aviation industry and do a course that can definitely take you up? The aircraft maintenance engineering (mechanical stream), aircraft maintenance engineering (avionics stream) and aeronautical engineering are the three courses offered by the Regional Institute of Aviation based at Perunthanni in the city.
Aircraft maintenance engineering course leads to the AME licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, for maintaining aeroplanes. The aircraft maintenance engineers have to maintain the aircraft in airworthy condition and have to issue certificates of airworthiness before flight. The airworthiness of essential systems like airframe, engine, instruments and radio navigation systems also have to be certified.
The students get work at various airlines, maintenance divisions of aero-engine manufacturers and approved aircraft maintenance organisations.
The eligibility for the course is 10+2 or equivalent pass with 50 percent marks in physics and mathematics or a three-year engineering diploma in any stream with aggregate 50 percent marks. The age limit at the time of admission should not be less than 17 years.
The degree course in aeronautical engineering offered by the institute has been recognised as equivalent to BTech in aeronautical engineering by the Indian Government.
30/06/09 ExpressBuzz
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Aircraft maintenance engineering course leads to the AME licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, for maintaining aeroplanes. The aircraft maintenance engineers have to maintain the aircraft in airworthy condition and have to issue certificates of airworthiness before flight. The airworthiness of essential systems like airframe, engine, instruments and radio navigation systems also have to be certified.
The students get work at various airlines, maintenance divisions of aero-engine manufacturers and approved aircraft maintenance organisations.
The eligibility for the course is 10+2 or equivalent pass with 50 percent marks in physics and mathematics or a three-year engineering diploma in any stream with aggregate 50 percent marks. The age limit at the time of admission should not be less than 17 years.
The degree course in aeronautical engineering offered by the institute has been recognised as equivalent to BTech in aeronautical engineering by the Indian Government.
30/06/09 ExpressBuzz
Saturday, June 27, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
72 group A posts vaccant at DGCA
DGCA has invited applications in the prescribed form from candidates for filling up of 72 Group ‘A’ posts in the Civil Aviation Department on short-term Contract basis. Retired Govt. Employees who are below 65 years as on 30.06.2009 can also apply for the said posts. The number of vacancies may change.
The period of contract is likely to be, one year. Details of posts, remunerations, age limits, Educational Qualifications and application form in which applicants are to apply are given in the
DGCA website (www.dgca.nic.in). The posts are available at DGCA Hqrs. and at various Regional Offices like Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kanpur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Bangalore, Bhopal etc. Preferences of the candidates will be kept in mind at the time of posting.
The applications may be submitted neatly typed on white paper in double space and typed on only one side of paper. The envelope should be superscribed with the following: “Application for the post of _______________ in response to Advertisement No. A. 32013/2/2009-E.II.
Complete applications with enclosures together with a self addressed post card by affixing thereon an additional postage stamps of Rs. 5.00 indicating Advertisement No., Item No. and Name of post should be sent to the
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The period of contract is likely to be, one year. Details of posts, remunerations, age limits, Educational Qualifications and application form in which applicants are to apply are given in the
DGCA website (www.dgca.nic.in). The posts are available at DGCA Hqrs. and at various Regional Offices like Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kanpur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Bangalore, Bhopal etc. Preferences of the candidates will be kept in mind at the time of posting.
The applications may be submitted neatly typed on white paper in double space and typed on only one side of paper. The envelope should be superscribed with the following: “Application for the post of _______________ in response to Advertisement No. A. 32013/2/2009-E.II.
Complete applications with enclosures together with a self addressed post card by affixing thereon an additional postage stamps of Rs. 5.00 indicating Advertisement No., Item No. and Name of post should be sent to the
Office of the Director General of Civil Aviation,
Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
New Delhi-110003
Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
New Delhi-110003
The closing date for receipt of applications is 03.07.2009
25/06/09 DGCA
AME exams schedule, flight crew exam computer number and pilot licence exam results
DGCA has published the schedule of AME licence exam (June 2009). The exams are o 7th & 8th of July, 2009 at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Guwahati, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Kanpur, Patna and Kochi. The DGCA notification is here.
The list of computer numbers allotted for flight crew examination was published on June 18. Access the list here.
The results of Pilot Licence Examination, April 2009 Session is also available at DGCA website:
25/06/09 DGCA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The list of computer numbers allotted for flight crew examination was published on June 18. Access the list here.
The results of Pilot Licence Examination, April 2009 Session is also available at DGCA website:
25/06/09 DGCA
MoU signed between PHHL & Navy for inducting Pilots
Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) has today signed an MOU with Indian Navy for inducting Naval Pilots into PHHL. The MOU was signed in presence of Real Admiral S.M. Vadgonkar, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (AIR) and Shri R.K. Tyagi, CMD, PHHL by Commodore Ranveer Singh, of Indian Navy and Shri R.B. Kushwaha, Dy. General Manager of Pawan Hans.
Pursuant to the MOU, Indian Navy will provide suitable pilots who can be spared as per the qualifying requirements in order to meet in part the vacancies created in Pawan Hans due to fleet expansion plan. Such arrangement will promote mutual benefits to both the organisation. Indian Navy will be in better position to offer progression to their younger pilots against these vacancies and thus bring down age profile of their combat force. At the same time the Indian Navy pilots will get opportunity for growth and a longer, fruitful, second career up to 65 years of age. Similarly, PHHL will also be benefitted by augmenting their strength of qualified pilots.
Pawan Hans is now looking forward for a massive fleet expansion as well as to enter in to new areas of operations such as inter and intra city transportation besides setting up a start-of-the-art maintenance centre and also new heliports at Delhi, Mumbai and other viable areas. With the signing of MOU, both organisations will be tied up for a long fruitful relationship. PHHL will initially inducted at least 15-20 pilots from Indian Navy and thereafter about 10 pilots per year in subsequent year.
26/06/09 Press Information Bureau
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Pursuant to the MOU, Indian Navy will provide suitable pilots who can be spared as per the qualifying requirements in order to meet in part the vacancies created in Pawan Hans due to fleet expansion plan. Such arrangement will promote mutual benefits to both the organisation. Indian Navy will be in better position to offer progression to their younger pilots against these vacancies and thus bring down age profile of their combat force. At the same time the Indian Navy pilots will get opportunity for growth and a longer, fruitful, second career up to 65 years of age. Similarly, PHHL will also be benefitted by augmenting their strength of qualified pilots.
Pawan Hans is now looking forward for a massive fleet expansion as well as to enter in to new areas of operations such as inter and intra city transportation besides setting up a start-of-the-art maintenance centre and also new heliports at Delhi, Mumbai and other viable areas. With the signing of MOU, both organisations will be tied up for a long fruitful relationship. PHHL will initially inducted at least 15-20 pilots from Indian Navy and thereafter about 10 pilots per year in subsequent year.
26/06/09 Press Information Bureau
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Flight Training Adelaide in talks to launch MPL programme
Australian flying training provider Flight Training Adelaide is in discussions with an unidentified Asian customer and the operator's local regulator on launching a multi-crew pilot licence programme.
Chief executive Keith Morgan told delegates at June's SimTect simulation conference in Adelaide that this is the first time any operator in the region has shown an interest in MPL, the launch of which coincided with the "shortest pilot shortage in aviation history".
Parafield airport, South Australia-based Flight Training Adelaide primarily provides flying training to Asian carriers, including Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates, JAL Express, Qantas and Vietnam Airlines. Morgan says the Asian operator interested in MPL wants to use a corporate jet for the take-off and landing element of training instead of an airliner as part of its programme.
Australian MPL regulations are in place following Alteon's beta trial of the programme in the country, which resulted in six cadet pilots from China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines graduating late last year.
Australia had identified MPL as an opportunity to capture the flying training export market, especially in India and China, says Morgan. But today India has got 6,000 pilots in excess of its requirements following the downturn and unless Chinese customers "pay what it costs we can't do business". There is no appetite for MPL from Australian carriers, he adds.
Many concerns remain with MPL, says Morgan, including time and cost issues; the aircraft-simulator mix; regulation issues, including who regulates the line training in the operator's country; device and staff qualifications; and recognition.
Morgan believes MPL missed the opportunity to change the theory element of flying training, suggesting it could be done in 700h as opposed to 1,000h.
23/06/09 Emma Kelly/Flight International/Flightglobal
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Chief executive Keith Morgan told delegates at June's SimTect simulation conference in Adelaide that this is the first time any operator in the region has shown an interest in MPL, the launch of which coincided with the "shortest pilot shortage in aviation history".
Parafield airport, South Australia-based Flight Training Adelaide primarily provides flying training to Asian carriers, including Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates, JAL Express, Qantas and Vietnam Airlines. Morgan says the Asian operator interested in MPL wants to use a corporate jet for the take-off and landing element of training instead of an airliner as part of its programme.
Australian MPL regulations are in place following Alteon's beta trial of the programme in the country, which resulted in six cadet pilots from China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines graduating late last year.
Australia had identified MPL as an opportunity to capture the flying training export market, especially in India and China, says Morgan. But today India has got 6,000 pilots in excess of its requirements following the downturn and unless Chinese customers "pay what it costs we can't do business". There is no appetite for MPL from Australian carriers, he adds.
Many concerns remain with MPL, says Morgan, including time and cost issues; the aircraft-simulator mix; regulation issues, including who regulates the line training in the operator's country; device and staff qualifications; and recognition.
Morgan believes MPL missed the opportunity to change the theory element of flying training, suggesting it could be done in 700h as opposed to 1,000h.
23/06/09 Emma Kelly/Flight International/Flightglobal
MiG-23s become the new lab rats for aeronautics students
Bangalore: Russian-made MiG-23 fighter jets, phased out in March by the Indian Air Force (IAF) after nearly 30 years in service, haven’t entirely outlived their utility. The aircraft are being converted into laboratories and workshops for aeronautics students.
Two remote engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu have already acquired the ground attack fighters, dismantled and stripped of critical equipment such as radars, arms and engines. While the students can’t get these planes to take off again—Indian defence law prevents non-military entities from flying such planes—they can learn from dismantling and reassembling the fighters using spare parts made locally.
“Displaying the jet in the lab excites (students) than showing (it) on a computer,” says J. Chandrasekhar, chairman, department of aerospace engineering at Amrita School of Engineering near Coimbatore.
“Let us face it, aviation is a glamorous subject. It is easy to make students interested in (the subject by) displaying something spectacular than showing them drawings,” says retired air marshal B.K. Pandey, a former head of IAF training command in Bangalore.
Teaching of aerospace or aeronautical engineering has advanced from textbook drawings and dummy models to three-dimensional computer graphics,?but the course has for long been restricted mainly to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and some Indian Institutes of Technology.
Over the past few years, though, increased demand for aeronautics engineers has encouraged several colleges to add the subject. In just the past three years, at least 20 colleges in Tamil Nadu have begun offering aerospace and aeronautics courses, says A.K. Natesan, chairman of Excel Engineering College in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district.
Excel, which acquired a retired MiG-23 jet in February, sent some of its staff to the Halwara airbase in Punjab—the base for the MiG-23 squadron called the “Valiants”—to study how the plane was being dismantled. Once the jet was brought to the college, the staff helped students put the fighter back together.
At Amrita, too, engineers are reassembling the plane, making spares such as hydraulics locally; later, the students will learn the working of the jet. Both Amrita and Excel didn’t want to state on record how much they paid the air force for the jets but said the fee was nominal.
22/06/09 K. Raghu/Livemint
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Two remote engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu have already acquired the ground attack fighters, dismantled and stripped of critical equipment such as radars, arms and engines. While the students can’t get these planes to take off again—Indian defence law prevents non-military entities from flying such planes—they can learn from dismantling and reassembling the fighters using spare parts made locally.
“Displaying the jet in the lab excites (students) than showing (it) on a computer,” says J. Chandrasekhar, chairman, department of aerospace engineering at Amrita School of Engineering near Coimbatore.
“Let us face it, aviation is a glamorous subject. It is easy to make students interested in (the subject by) displaying something spectacular than showing them drawings,” says retired air marshal B.K. Pandey, a former head of IAF training command in Bangalore.
Teaching of aerospace or aeronautical engineering has advanced from textbook drawings and dummy models to three-dimensional computer graphics,?but the course has for long been restricted mainly to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and some Indian Institutes of Technology.
Over the past few years, though, increased demand for aeronautics engineers has encouraged several colleges to add the subject. In just the past three years, at least 20 colleges in Tamil Nadu have begun offering aerospace and aeronautics courses, says A.K. Natesan, chairman of Excel Engineering College in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district.
Excel, which acquired a retired MiG-23 jet in February, sent some of its staff to the Halwara airbase in Punjab—the base for the MiG-23 squadron called the “Valiants”—to study how the plane was being dismantled. Once the jet was brought to the college, the staff helped students put the fighter back together.
At Amrita, too, engineers are reassembling the plane, making spares such as hydraulics locally; later, the students will learn the working of the jet. Both Amrita and Excel didn’t want to state on record how much they paid the air force for the jets but said the fee was nominal.
22/06/09 K. Raghu/Livemint
Monday, June 22, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
'Air India playing foul'
Delhi: Twenty-four-year-old Navin Singh couldn't believe his luck when in August 2008 he received an interview call from Alliance Air, the low-cost wing of Air India, for the post of trainee pilot. Singh had spent over Rs 20 lakh in obtaining a commercial pilot's licence and was looking forward to a successful career. The interview went off successfully but then came the dark twist in the tale. Air India went absolutely silent, neither confirming the job, nor cancelling the recruitment process.
On June 16, this year, Singh noticed an advertisement issued by Alliance Air in leading national newspapers, inviting fresh applications for type-rated pilots (trained to fly a particular passenger aircraft) urgently. Singh, along with the 67 other qualified pilots who had been invited for the interview last year, are now up in arms against the national carrier, accusing it of foul play.
"Till last year, Air India hired trainee pilots and then trained them to fly the particular type of aircraft. But this year, the airline has advertised to directly recruit type-rated pilots. If the airline can't afford to train us, we can do so ourselves," said Singh. Agreed Lokesh, another applicant who had appeared for the interview. "If Air India wanted type-rated pilots, the airline should have told us to undergo the training. We would have done so. If I have spent Rs 20 lakh to get a commercial pilot's licence, can't I afford to spend another Rs 12 to 15 lakh, which is the fee for the special training?" said Lokesh.
The young pilots allege Air India is resorting to this ploy to fraudulently recruit pilots from certain private airlines.
"In May 2009, these pilots from private airlines were issued recruitment letters. However, the letters were later withdrawn when we approached the vigilance department of the airline and lodged a compliant. To cover-up the fraud, the airline has issued fresh advertisements to somehow pull these pilots abroad," said another applicant.
"Our results were withheld for almost nine months. Air India could have called us and by now we would have completed the special aircraft training," said Lokesh.
For most of them, a dream has been shattered. "I took a loan of Rs 20 lakh to fund my training programme from an American institute. I was depending on the Alliance Air job to repay it. I waited for over nine months for the job offer. If they didn't want to take us in, the airline could have intimated us officially," said Arjun, another applicant.
Urmila Subbarao, head, vigilance department, Air India, refused to comment on the issue, saying she did not recall receiving any such complaint.
"This year we have advertised for type-rated pilots because we need experienced hands. Earlier, we used to advertise for trainee pilots. The difference in requirement is apparent. While we can understand the views expressed by some pilots who had applied for jobs on a previous occasion, they need to appreciate the urgency of our requirement," said Air India's spokesperson Jitendra Bhargava.
22/06/09 Surender Sharma/MiD DAY
To read the news in full |
PermaLink On June 16, this year, Singh noticed an advertisement issued by Alliance Air in leading national newspapers, inviting fresh applications for type-rated pilots (trained to fly a particular passenger aircraft) urgently. Singh, along with the 67 other qualified pilots who had been invited for the interview last year, are now up in arms against the national carrier, accusing it of foul play.
"Till last year, Air India hired trainee pilots and then trained them to fly the particular type of aircraft. But this year, the airline has advertised to directly recruit type-rated pilots. If the airline can't afford to train us, we can do so ourselves," said Singh. Agreed Lokesh, another applicant who had appeared for the interview. "If Air India wanted type-rated pilots, the airline should have told us to undergo the training. We would have done so. If I have spent Rs 20 lakh to get a commercial pilot's licence, can't I afford to spend another Rs 12 to 15 lakh, which is the fee for the special training?" said Lokesh.
The young pilots allege Air India is resorting to this ploy to fraudulently recruit pilots from certain private airlines.
"In May 2009, these pilots from private airlines were issued recruitment letters. However, the letters were later withdrawn when we approached the vigilance department of the airline and lodged a compliant. To cover-up the fraud, the airline has issued fresh advertisements to somehow pull these pilots abroad," said another applicant.
"Our results were withheld for almost nine months. Air India could have called us and by now we would have completed the special aircraft training," said Lokesh.
For most of them, a dream has been shattered. "I took a loan of Rs 20 lakh to fund my training programme from an American institute. I was depending on the Alliance Air job to repay it. I waited for over nine months for the job offer. If they didn't want to take us in, the airline could have intimated us officially," said Arjun, another applicant.
Urmila Subbarao, head, vigilance department, Air India, refused to comment on the issue, saying she did not recall receiving any such complaint.
"This year we have advertised for type-rated pilots because we need experienced hands. Earlier, we used to advertise for trainee pilots. The difference in requirement is apparent. While we can understand the views expressed by some pilots who had applied for jobs on a previous occasion, they need to appreciate the urgency of our requirement," said Air India's spokesperson Jitendra Bhargava.
22/06/09 Surender Sharma/MiD DAY
Friday, June 19, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Karnataka’s Prestigious Flying School to `Fly’ Again
Bangalore: Karnataka’s prestigious flying school, started way back in 1948 by the then Mysore Government soon after Indepedence and closed down since 2006 following a legal hurdle, is set to take wings yet again.
The flying school is located at Jakkur, near Yelahanka about 20 kms from the city and very near to the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) at Devanahalli in the city outskirts, would be reopened soon and a fresh batch of training programme would commence from the ensuing academic year 2009-10 itself, according to Youth Services and Textiles Minister Gulihatti D Shekar.
Youngsters dreaming of learning flying have more reasons to cheer with the minister’s announcement regarding the Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s consent to offer to aircrafts to the flying school.
The flying school had been closed down in 1997 till November 2003. It was revived again in November 2003 and functioned for a brief while till 2006, without being able to do much as it had barely any staff except a flying instructor. The government sought enlist the help of private sector to run the school but the private-public partnership agreement ran into the rough weather leading to its closure in 2006.
The minister said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had given the green signal for reopening the flying school, which also received the support of the UPA regime.
Disclosing that a newly constructed building at the Jakkur would be inaugurated in a few days, he said a panel of experts would be consulted to fix intake of students per batch and the fee.
With the change in the civil aviation scenario, the minister said the demand for pilots was likely to go up.
The school had sufficient infrastructure to commence the classes The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation’s permission has been sought for renewal of licence and appointment of aircraft trainers, he said.
18/06/09 Daijiworld.com
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The flying school is located at Jakkur, near Yelahanka about 20 kms from the city and very near to the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) at Devanahalli in the city outskirts, would be reopened soon and a fresh batch of training programme would commence from the ensuing academic year 2009-10 itself, according to Youth Services and Textiles Minister Gulihatti D Shekar.
Youngsters dreaming of learning flying have more reasons to cheer with the minister’s announcement regarding the Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s consent to offer to aircrafts to the flying school.
The flying school had been closed down in 1997 till November 2003. It was revived again in November 2003 and functioned for a brief while till 2006, without being able to do much as it had barely any staff except a flying instructor. The government sought enlist the help of private sector to run the school but the private-public partnership agreement ran into the rough weather leading to its closure in 2006.
The minister said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had given the green signal for reopening the flying school, which also received the support of the UPA regime.
Disclosing that a newly constructed building at the Jakkur would be inaugurated in a few days, he said a panel of experts would be consulted to fix intake of students per batch and the fee.
With the change in the civil aviation scenario, the minister said the demand for pilots was likely to go up.
The school had sufficient infrastructure to commence the classes The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation’s permission has been sought for renewal of licence and appointment of aircraft trainers, he said.
18/06/09 Daijiworld.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Alliance Air looking for Boeing 737, CRJ 700 and ATR 42-320 pilots
Alliance Air has invited applications for the posts of type rated / rated pilots on Boeing 737, CRJ 700 and ATR 42-320. It seems the requirement of the regional airline wing of NACIL is urgent.
Eligibility:
All applicants must possess current Indian CPL / ATPL, FRTO, RTR, IR and a current Class I medical on the date of application for any of the above-mentioned posts.
Chief of Personnel (Alliance Air)
Airline Allied Services Limited
Old Lufthansa Hangar,
Adjacent to Office of Executive Director,
(N.R.) NACIL Terminal – 1B,
IGI Airport,
New Delhi – 110 037.
Eligible candidates will be called for interview. See the detailed notification here:
16/06/09 Alliance Air
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Eligibility:
All applicants must possess current Indian CPL / ATPL, FRTO, RTR, IR and a current Class I medical on the date of application for any of the above-mentioned posts.
- Boeing 737 Commander Candidate must possess minimum 100 hours current PIC Endorsement on B737-200 type of Aircraft.
- CRJ 700 Commander Candidate must possess minimum 100 hours as PIC on CRJ family of Aircraft or 1000 hours PIC on multi-engine jet transport Aircraft.
- CRJ – 700 Co-Pilot Candidate must possess Co-Pilot type rating on CRJ family of Aircraft.
- ATR 42-320 Commander Candidate must possess minimum 100 hours PIC on ATR family of Aircraft or 1000 hours PIC on multi engine Turbo Prop Aircraft transport Aircraft with AUW of 5700 kgs or more.
Chief of Personnel (Alliance Air)
Airline Allied Services Limited
Old Lufthansa Hangar,
Adjacent to Office of Executive Director,
(N.R.) NACIL Terminal – 1B,
IGI Airport,
New Delhi – 110 037.
Eligible candidates will be called for interview. See the detailed notification here:
16/06/09 Alliance Air
Training academies back in action after budget carriers start hiring
Even as full service carriers like Jet Airways and Kingfisher are implementing an agenda to trim down capacity, low cost carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet are taking the lead in the market and hiring people.
As a result, air hostess training academies and cabin crew training centers are back in business. Leading academies like Frankfinn, AHA (Air Hostess Academy) and Avalon are flying high as budget carriers have set the ball rolling by hiring people across departments since January this year, bucking recessionary trends.
The recruitments are for the posts of pilots, cabin crew, airport managers, senior analysts, supervisors and ground instructors.
The New Delhi-based low-cost carrier SpiceJet has plans to recruit 400-500 people this fiscal. These will include 40 pilots and 60 cabin crew, besides those for security, reservations/ticketing and customer care. Even IndiGo airlines has been a frequent visitor at campus recruitments organised at AHA and Avalon.
“With all these airlines hiring, our placement record has improved by 5 per cent compared with last year. We have placed approximately 900 students this year. Our students have got placed in hotels, travel agencies and ground handling agencies earlier,” Sapna Gupta, founder and director of Air Hostess Academy, said
Air hostess training institute Frankfinn said it will invest Rs 400 crore in the next three years to increase its number of centers to 200 across the country and abroad. At present, Frankfinn has around 115 centers across the country.
17/06/09 Ruchi Panigrahi/Business Standard
To read the news in full |
PermaLink As a result, air hostess training academies and cabin crew training centers are back in business. Leading academies like Frankfinn, AHA (Air Hostess Academy) and Avalon are flying high as budget carriers have set the ball rolling by hiring people across departments since January this year, bucking recessionary trends.
The recruitments are for the posts of pilots, cabin crew, airport managers, senior analysts, supervisors and ground instructors.
The New Delhi-based low-cost carrier SpiceJet has plans to recruit 400-500 people this fiscal. These will include 40 pilots and 60 cabin crew, besides those for security, reservations/ticketing and customer care. Even IndiGo airlines has been a frequent visitor at campus recruitments organised at AHA and Avalon.
“With all these airlines hiring, our placement record has improved by 5 per cent compared with last year. We have placed approximately 900 students this year. Our students have got placed in hotels, travel agencies and ground handling agencies earlier,” Sapna Gupta, founder and director of Air Hostess Academy, said
Air hostess training institute Frankfinn said it will invest Rs 400 crore in the next three years to increase its number of centers to 200 across the country and abroad. At present, Frankfinn has around 115 centers across the country.
17/06/09 Ruchi Panigrahi/Business Standard
Monday, June 15, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
AI calls off pilot recruitment over 'bias' charge
New Delhi: Air India chairman-cum-managing director Arvind Jadhav, 53, has cancelled the recruitment of 40 trainee pilots and ordered the HR department of the airline to start the recruitment process afresh.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Air India board had received several complaints of manipulation and irregularities in the selection of these pilots in April. Some of the selected candidates are said to be close relatives of senior airline officials.
"The decision was taken by the CMD early this week after the process was found to have been vitiated," said a senior Air India official on condition of anonymity.
Of the 1,400 commercial pilot license (CPL) holders who appeared for the exam on April 12, Air India had finally selected 40 pilots. Soon after this, the list of selected trainee pilots had been forwarded to the then Air India CMD Raghu Menon for approval in the third week of April. Since then, the file had been lying on the CMD's table.
When Jadhav took over as the new CMD over on May 4, he found that the perks and privileges offered to these pilots were higher than those permitted by the rules. Citing these conditions and several other irregularities, he the ordered cancellation of the entire process, the AI official said.
At present, there are over 1,000 foreign pilots working for different airlines in India. Air India, which has about 700 pilots on its rolls, employs about 100 foreign pilots.
13/06/09 Hindustan Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX/TMCnews
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Air India board had received several complaints of manipulation and irregularities in the selection of these pilots in April. Some of the selected candidates are said to be close relatives of senior airline officials.
"The decision was taken by the CMD early this week after the process was found to have been vitiated," said a senior Air India official on condition of anonymity.
Of the 1,400 commercial pilot license (CPL) holders who appeared for the exam on April 12, Air India had finally selected 40 pilots. Soon after this, the list of selected trainee pilots had been forwarded to the then Air India CMD Raghu Menon for approval in the third week of April. Since then, the file had been lying on the CMD's table.
When Jadhav took over as the new CMD over on May 4, he found that the perks and privileges offered to these pilots were higher than those permitted by the rules. Citing these conditions and several other irregularities, he the ordered cancellation of the entire process, the AI official said.
At present, there are over 1,000 foreign pilots working for different airlines in India. Air India, which has about 700 pilots on its rolls, employs about 100 foreign pilots.
13/06/09 Hindustan Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX/TMCnews
Thursday, June 04, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Air India undoes years of bias against air hostesses
New Delhi: Between 1950 and 2003, AI airhostesses' flying age limit had been hiked in phases from 30 to their male counterpart’s 58. But each time this was done with a condition of regular medical checks to ensure their airworthiness while the male flight pursers did not have any such rules.
They only had to undergo an annual weight check, without the risk of being grounded if found overweight. Now AI management has reached an agreement with its cabin crew officers association that will make regular health checks mandatory for basic factors like heart condition, BP, diabetes and stress both for males and females.
Also, a male purser will no longer be the only one acting as inflight supervisor. Airhostesses will also get to head the division. And most importantly, the concept of interchangability of duties has been introduced for cabin crew.
Air India has 913 male pursers and 1,164 airhostesses. Indian Airlines (now AI-domestic) has 259 flight pursers and 1,091 airhostesses.
04/06/09 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink They only had to undergo an annual weight check, without the risk of being grounded if found overweight. Now AI management has reached an agreement with its cabin crew officers association that will make regular health checks mandatory for basic factors like heart condition, BP, diabetes and stress both for males and females.
Also, a male purser will no longer be the only one acting as inflight supervisor. Airhostesses will also get to head the division. And most importantly, the concept of interchangability of duties has been introduced for cabin crew.
Air India has 913 male pursers and 1,164 airhostesses. Indian Airlines (now AI-domestic) has 259 flight pursers and 1,091 airhostesses.
04/06/09 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
AI gives two-fold hike in salaries of officer cadre cabin crew
Mumbai: Air India has given a two-fold increase in the salaries of its executive (officer grade) cabin crew to Rs 2.25-lakh, with retrospective effect from June 1, 1997.
The move is likely to put an additional burden of Rs 170-crore annually at a time when the airlines were making losses due to economic slowdown.
"The NACIL (the holding company of Air India) management has signed a wage accord with its Cabin Crew Officers Association for the period of 1997-2007, assuring them of full benefits with back wages for the past 15-years," a source said on Tuesday.
The average package of these officers after this accord would reach about Rs 2.25-lakh per month from around Rs one lakh which they draw presently, the source said, adding, around 900 officers will benefit.
The package includes enhanced flying allowances and wages as well as guaranteed executive class tickets on duty and on leave, the source said.
"The union has also managed to get a one-time special promotion to the senior manager and deputy general manager grades with retrospective effect from 1997," he said.
02/06/09 Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The move is likely to put an additional burden of Rs 170-crore annually at a time when the airlines were making losses due to economic slowdown.
"The NACIL (the holding company of Air India) management has signed a wage accord with its Cabin Crew Officers Association for the period of 1997-2007, assuring them of full benefits with back wages for the past 15-years," a source said on Tuesday.
The average package of these officers after this accord would reach about Rs 2.25-lakh per month from around Rs one lakh which they draw presently, the source said, adding, around 900 officers will benefit.
The package includes enhanced flying allowances and wages as well as guaranteed executive class tickets on duty and on leave, the source said.
"The union has also managed to get a one-time special promotion to the senior manager and deputy general manager grades with retrospective effect from 1997," he said.
02/06/09 Economic Times
Govt approves filling up of 700 posts in DGCA
New Delhi: To beef up the functioning of the aviation regulatory body, the government has approved filling up of 700 posts in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which is in a rush to meet critical conditions set by its US counterpart to meet global safety standards.
A team of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is expected to be here later this month to carry out a safety audit, which is meant to standardise Indian and American regulations and enable DGCA to retain the premium Category-I rating of the US regulator.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said about 700 posts, both new ones and those lying vacant, have been sanctioned. Most of the posts to be filled up are in DGCA's air safety and investigation wings.
Admitting that manpower shortage was a stumbling block for DGCA to efficiently function as the country's aviation regulator, official sources said the process of recruitment for DGCA would begin soon.
During its last visit earlier this year, the FAA team had raised the issue of manpower shortage in DGCA. The final report of FAA would decide whether DGCA manages to retain the premium Category-I slot or is pushed to the second slot.
02/06/09 PTI/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink A team of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is expected to be here later this month to carry out a safety audit, which is meant to standardise Indian and American regulations and enable DGCA to retain the premium Category-I rating of the US regulator.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said about 700 posts, both new ones and those lying vacant, have been sanctioned. Most of the posts to be filled up are in DGCA's air safety and investigation wings.
Admitting that manpower shortage was a stumbling block for DGCA to efficiently function as the country's aviation regulator, official sources said the process of recruitment for DGCA would begin soon.
During its last visit earlier this year, the FAA team had raised the issue of manpower shortage in DGCA. The final report of FAA would decide whether DGCA manages to retain the premium Category-I slot or is pushed to the second slot.
02/06/09 PTI/Economic Times
HAL and CAE lay foundation stone for helicopter training centre in Bangalore
Bangalore: CAE and HAL held a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a new helicopter training centre in Bangalore on Monday. The facility— Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF)—is an equally-owned joint venture between HAL and CAE. The centre will be operational by mid-2010.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjeev Sahi, Director (HR), HAL, said that this facility would be first of its kind once operational. “HASTSOFF will offer Level-D simulator training to helicopter pilots and maintainers. By partnering with CAE, we are making sure the simulation technology is at the leading edge in order to play a key role in training and producing skilled and mission-ready helicopter crews. HAL is committed to enhancing the safety of helicopter operators in India and to provide a complete service offering for our military and civil clients of the Dhruv helicopter,” Mr Sahi said.
Mr Martin Gagné, Chairman of the HATSOFF Board of Directors and CAE’s Group President, Military Simulation Products, Training and Services, said HATSOFF will serve a critical need for enhancing safety and mission readiness.
The centre will be equipped with a CAE-built full-mission simulator featuring CAE's revolutionary roll-on/roll-off cockpit design, which enables cockpits representing various helicopter types to be used in the simulator. When fully operational, HATSOFF will be able to train up to 400 helicopter pilots each year. Initially, HATSOFF will offer comprehensive training to civil and military customers operating four helicopter types: the Indian Army/Air Force variant of the HAL-built Dhruv, the civil variant of the Dhruv, the Bell 412 and the Eurocopter Dauphin.
The training centre will feature multimedia classrooms, computer-based training, brief/debrief facilities, and a training management information system.
02/06/09 defpro.com
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sanjeev Sahi, Director (HR), HAL, said that this facility would be first of its kind once operational. “HASTSOFF will offer Level-D simulator training to helicopter pilots and maintainers. By partnering with CAE, we are making sure the simulation technology is at the leading edge in order to play a key role in training and producing skilled and mission-ready helicopter crews. HAL is committed to enhancing the safety of helicopter operators in India and to provide a complete service offering for our military and civil clients of the Dhruv helicopter,” Mr Sahi said.
Mr Martin Gagné, Chairman of the HATSOFF Board of Directors and CAE’s Group President, Military Simulation Products, Training and Services, said HATSOFF will serve a critical need for enhancing safety and mission readiness.
The centre will be equipped with a CAE-built full-mission simulator featuring CAE's revolutionary roll-on/roll-off cockpit design, which enables cockpits representing various helicopter types to be used in the simulator. When fully operational, HATSOFF will be able to train up to 400 helicopter pilots each year. Initially, HATSOFF will offer comprehensive training to civil and military customers operating four helicopter types: the Indian Army/Air Force variant of the HAL-built Dhruv, the civil variant of the Dhruv, the Bell 412 and the Eurocopter Dauphin.
The training centre will feature multimedia classrooms, computer-based training, brief/debrief facilities, and a training management information system.
02/06/09 defpro.com
Monday, June 01, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
No malpractices in trainee pilots selection: Air India
Mumbai: Dismissing allegations of nepotism in recruitment of trainee pilots, a senior Air India official on Sunday said “there was no foul play” in the selection process.
“The vigilance inquiry has not found any wrong-doing in the selection process of pilots,” the official said. The entire selection process was on merit and no favouritism played any part in it, the official said.
Air India in February this year had advertised vacancies for trainee pilots and subsequently conducted a written test on April 12, which was followed by psychometric test and personal interviews.
Based on these tests and simulator/flight proficiency assessment check, the air-carrier selected 40 trainee pilots for appointment out of the 1,400 candidates who had applied. However, their selection got mired in a controversy following allegations of favouritism, forcing the then AI chairman and managing director Mr Bharat Bhushan to put the appointments on hold and order a vigilance enquiry.
31/05/09 PTI/The Hindu
To read the news in full |
PermaLink “The vigilance inquiry has not found any wrong-doing in the selection process of pilots,” the official said. The entire selection process was on merit and no favouritism played any part in it, the official said.
Air India in February this year had advertised vacancies for trainee pilots and subsequently conducted a written test on April 12, which was followed by psychometric test and personal interviews.
Based on these tests and simulator/flight proficiency assessment check, the air-carrier selected 40 trainee pilots for appointment out of the 1,400 candidates who had applied. However, their selection got mired in a controversy following allegations of favouritism, forcing the then AI chairman and managing director Mr Bharat Bhushan to put the appointments on hold and order a vigilance enquiry.
31/05/09 PTI/The Hindu
Saturday, May 30, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Airport security norms affecting internship of aircraft maintenance engineers
Chennai: It has been five months since Deepak had applied to various airline offices for a six-month internship programme, but he is yet to hear from any airline yet. On-the-job training is mandatory during the last leg of his three-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) course. There are 60 students in his batch and except for three of them who managed to get interships in Bangalore, Calicut and Thiruvananthapuram, the rest continue to wait.
One of the reasons AME students are finding it difficult to get internships is that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) do not want students attending to aircraft in high security zones. In other words, heightened security seems to be affecting the future prospects of AME students. And this, although airlines are facing a shortage of maintenance engineers.
Until last year, private airlines such as Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Blue Dart and others used to enroll AME students as non-paid staff. It was a win-win situation for both airlines and students. The practice, however, came to an end after AAI and BCAS raised security concerns.
"It seems you need strong recommendation to get a slot in an airline," said Deepak. Air India, for instance, received several applications this year, too. Every year it would take eight students for on-the-job training in Chennai. But none were taken this year.
"BCAS declines to provide passes to students at major airports," said an Air India official, adding, "We insist that students should pass DGCA's examination papers one, two and three on civil aviation requirements, general aviation and aircraft engines before enrolling themselves for training at different airports. More than 1,500 applications from students who have cleared DGCA's tests are pending before our Mumbai office. Recruitments have not taken place during the past two years. So, we are planning to suggest to headquarters that students can be enrolled for on-the-job training after clearing an entrance examination."
29/05/09 V Ayyappan/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink One of the reasons AME students are finding it difficult to get internships is that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) do not want students attending to aircraft in high security zones. In other words, heightened security seems to be affecting the future prospects of AME students. And this, although airlines are facing a shortage of maintenance engineers.
Until last year, private airlines such as Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Blue Dart and others used to enroll AME students as non-paid staff. It was a win-win situation for both airlines and students. The practice, however, came to an end after AAI and BCAS raised security concerns.
"It seems you need strong recommendation to get a slot in an airline," said Deepak. Air India, for instance, received several applications this year, too. Every year it would take eight students for on-the-job training in Chennai. But none were taken this year.
"BCAS declines to provide passes to students at major airports," said an Air India official, adding, "We insist that students should pass DGCA's examination papers one, two and three on civil aviation requirements, general aviation and aircraft engines before enrolling themselves for training at different airports. More than 1,500 applications from students who have cleared DGCA's tests are pending before our Mumbai office. Recruitments have not taken place during the past two years. So, we are planning to suggest to headquarters that students can be enrolled for on-the-job training after clearing an entrance examination."
29/05/09 V Ayyappan/Times of India
Frankfinn to make Rs 400 cr new investment
Kolkata: Air hostess training institute Frankfinn said it will invest Rs 400 crore in the next three years to increase its number of centres to 200 across the country and abroad.
"At least 40 new centres, both in India and abroad, would come up during the current financial year increasing the institute's present strength," Frankfinn Group Chairman K S Kohli told reporters here today.
At present, Frankfinn has around 115 centres across the country.
About 15 new centres would come up in Kolkata in three years in addition to the present three, he said.
The Rs 700 crore turnover company trains from 3,500 to 4,300 students every year with 60 per cent placement, Kohli said.
"Altogether 115 Frankfinn students are placed as cabin crew through campus interviews in a span of just 16 days in February-March this year," Kohli said adding that "93 of them are placed with international airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Oman Air and Atlasjet of Turkey".
29/05/09 PTI/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink "At least 40 new centres, both in India and abroad, would come up during the current financial year increasing the institute's present strength," Frankfinn Group Chairman K S Kohli told reporters here today.
At present, Frankfinn has around 115 centres across the country.
About 15 new centres would come up in Kolkata in three years in addition to the present three, he said.
The Rs 700 crore turnover company trains from 3,500 to 4,300 students every year with 60 per cent placement, Kohli said.
"Altogether 115 Frankfinn students are placed as cabin crew through campus interviews in a span of just 16 days in February-March this year," Kohli said adding that "93 of them are placed with international airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Oman Air and Atlasjet of Turkey".
29/05/09 PTI/Economic Times
Thursday, May 28, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
SpiceJet bucks the trend, to hire 500 this fiscal
Mumbai: These could be turbulent times for the Indian aviation industry but that has not stopped SpiceJet from hiring people.
The New Delhi-based low-cost carrier plans to recruit 400-500 people this fiscal.
“This is to backfill attrition and support growth. In the last three months, several senior positions have been filled that include Ms Shilpa Bhatia, Vice-President, Sales Strategy and Corporate; Mr Anish Srikrishna, Senior Vice-President and Head of Marketing, and Ms Sarabjeet Kaur, who joined us as Head of Customer Service,” Mr Sanjay Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer, SpiceJet, told Business Line in an email response.
The airline already has some 2,500 employees.
The 500 new recruitments will include 40 pilots and 60 cabin crew besides those in security, reservations/ticketing and customer care.
Asked if SpiceJet would consider pay cuts in the backdrop of the recession, Mr Aggarwal said, “We pay our team-members competitive wages based on their background and experience and expect them to participate in the long-term success of SpiceJet.
Hence, our intent is not to take advantage of the economic climate.” Last month, he had said the company evaluated two plans.
One, to launch international services when it gets the go-ahead in May 2010, and the other to tap the potential in tier-II and tier-III cities. He had then indicated that it would take three months to gauge the situation.
27/05/09 BusinessLine
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The New Delhi-based low-cost carrier plans to recruit 400-500 people this fiscal.
“This is to backfill attrition and support growth. In the last three months, several senior positions have been filled that include Ms Shilpa Bhatia, Vice-President, Sales Strategy and Corporate; Mr Anish Srikrishna, Senior Vice-President and Head of Marketing, and Ms Sarabjeet Kaur, who joined us as Head of Customer Service,” Mr Sanjay Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer, SpiceJet, told Business Line in an email response.
The airline already has some 2,500 employees.
The 500 new recruitments will include 40 pilots and 60 cabin crew besides those in security, reservations/ticketing and customer care.
Asked if SpiceJet would consider pay cuts in the backdrop of the recession, Mr Aggarwal said, “We pay our team-members competitive wages based on their background and experience and expect them to participate in the long-term success of SpiceJet.
Hence, our intent is not to take advantage of the economic climate.” Last month, he had said the company evaluated two plans.
One, to launch international services when it gets the go-ahead in May 2010, and the other to tap the potential in tier-II and tier-III cities. He had then indicated that it would take three months to gauge the situation.
27/05/09 BusinessLine
Gopinath to hire 5,000 in 3-4 years for cargo biz
New Delhi: Captain Gopinath-promoted air cargo venture, which launched its services on Wednesday under brand name Deccan 360, said it would hire about 5,000 persons in next 3-4 years.
"Our company will hire around 5,000 people in the next 3-4 years, directly or indirectly. We have started the hiring process," Deccan Cargo and Express Logistics Pvt Ltd CMD G R Gopinath said.
Deccan 360 started cargo services to Hong Kong from Delhi. In the first phase, the company plans to appoint 100 franchisees in next three months and each franchisee will hire 10 people, Gopinath, the pioneer of low-cost air carrier format in the country, said.
Gopinath had founded budget carrier Air Deccan but later sold it to Vijay Mallya-led Kingfisher Airlines.
27/05/09 PTI/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink "Our company will hire around 5,000 people in the next 3-4 years, directly or indirectly. We have started the hiring process," Deccan Cargo and Express Logistics Pvt Ltd CMD G R Gopinath said.
Deccan 360 started cargo services to Hong Kong from Delhi. In the first phase, the company plans to appoint 100 franchisees in next three months and each franchisee will hire 10 people, Gopinath, the pioneer of low-cost air carrier format in the country, said.
Gopinath had founded budget carrier Air Deccan but later sold it to Vijay Mallya-led Kingfisher Airlines.
27/05/09 PTI/Economic Times
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Bird Academy Opens Training Centre In Mumbai
Monday: Bird Group, a diversified group in the travel and IT arena, has inaugurated its first training centre in Mumbai for specialised aviation and hospitality courses.The courses have been conceptualised with a view to provide in-depth understanding and technical skills in the fields of aviation, travel and tourism, IT and hospitality management involving soft skill training. The other important courses are IATA Consultant and Foundation Course, Airport Handling and IATA Cargo Courses, Computerised Reservation System, Automated Ticketing and GDS Fares and Ticketing and Tally Financial Accounting Programme. Aviation Law and Dangerous Goods Regulation are the courses in demand amongst professionals.
After having trained nearly 20,000 travel and IT professionals across India, these programmes and activities are aimed at providing not only technical education but also for promoting intercultural interaction, as per the company.
The Bird Academy has a long-standing relationship with the likes of Miranda House (Delhi University), YMCA and UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Services) for offering training.
27/05/09 EFY Times.com
To read the news in full |
PermaLink After having trained nearly 20,000 travel and IT professionals across India, these programmes and activities are aimed at providing not only technical education but also for promoting intercultural interaction, as per the company.
The Bird Academy has a long-standing relationship with the likes of Miranda House (Delhi University), YMCA and UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Services) for offering training.
27/05/09 EFY Times.com
Govt’s altered aviation policy may lead to 15k job losses
The government in its 100-day agenda may not make way for foreign airlines to buy stake in domestic carriers. But the National Aviation Policy and the controversial ground handling policy are on the block. The altered policy could lead to 15,000 people losing their jobs, and also has security implications.
Here is a verbatim transcript of Mehak Kasbekar’s comments on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is gearing up for a flurry of activity and the first 100 days could well be chock-a-bloc with developments.
For starters, the government is expected to clear the National Aviation Policy, which has been pending with the Group of Ministers since January 2008. In a note to the cabinet secretary, the Civil Aviation Ministry is learnt to have recommended finalising the policy.
Second, the amendments to the controversial ground handling policy are also expected to come through, since the UPA Government's six-month extension for the same ends on June 30. The altered policy could lead to 15,000 people losing their jobs, and also has security implications.
The government is also likely to infuse close to Rs 4,000 crores worth of soft loans and equity into Air India's holding company NACIL. This is to help the airline offset losses, which are seen doubling past Rs 4,000 crores this financial year.
However, the domestic aviation sector may have to wait longer than expected for the government to relax the FDI rules governing the sector. The 100-day agenda makes no mention of foreign airlines buying a stake in domestic carriers. This proposal, experts say, is of immense importance to the sector that has faced a turbulent 2008, and is expected to post losses of over Rs 10,000 crore in FY10.
27/05/09 CNBC-TV18/Moneycontrol.com
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Here is a verbatim transcript of Mehak Kasbekar’s comments on CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.
The Civil Aviation Ministry is gearing up for a flurry of activity and the first 100 days could well be chock-a-bloc with developments.
For starters, the government is expected to clear the National Aviation Policy, which has been pending with the Group of Ministers since January 2008. In a note to the cabinet secretary, the Civil Aviation Ministry is learnt to have recommended finalising the policy.
Second, the amendments to the controversial ground handling policy are also expected to come through, since the UPA Government's six-month extension for the same ends on June 30. The altered policy could lead to 15,000 people losing their jobs, and also has security implications.
The government is also likely to infuse close to Rs 4,000 crores worth of soft loans and equity into Air India's holding company NACIL. This is to help the airline offset losses, which are seen doubling past Rs 4,000 crores this financial year.
However, the domestic aviation sector may have to wait longer than expected for the government to relax the FDI rules governing the sector. The 100-day agenda makes no mention of foreign airlines buying a stake in domestic carriers. This proposal, experts say, is of immense importance to the sector that has faced a turbulent 2008, and is expected to post losses of over Rs 10,000 crore in FY10.
27/05/09 CNBC-TV18/Moneycontrol.com
Kochi Aviation academy to begin functioning soon
Kochi: Kerala Fisheries and Registrations Minister S. Sarma said that the aviation academy started by the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) would begin functioning from June.
Kerala Fisheries and Registrations Minister said that the construction of the building and other infrastructure in the land allotted for the academy at Athani was progressing fast. Other related issues, including the syllabus to be followed, were being finalised, he said.
The minister said no labourer in the ground handling section would lose his job when the new agency took charge of the operation in a couple of months.
26/05/09 Kerala Online
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Kerala Fisheries and Registrations Minister said that the construction of the building and other infrastructure in the land allotted for the academy at Athani was progressing fast. Other related issues, including the syllabus to be followed, were being finalised, he said.
The minister said no labourer in the ground handling section would lose his job when the new agency took charge of the operation in a couple of months.
26/05/09 Kerala Online
NTSB releases report about fatal March 2008 plane crash in Rome
A flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the aircraft during a simulated engine failure contributed to the death of both of him and a student pilot during a March 2008 plane crash in Rome, the National Transportation Safety Board has reported.
Lokesh Venkat, 23, of India, was the student pilot flying the plane, and Kwang Yi, 34, of a Duluth address, was the instructor, when the plane crashed March 21, 2008, at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport in Armuchee.
Yi had a lack of total experience as a multi-engine flight instructor, according to the report. He had received his certificated flight instructor rating about three weeks prior to the crash.
The flight school reported that Yi had accumulated approximately 827 total hours of flight experience, including 111 hours in multi-engine airplanes, all in the same make and model as the twin-engine Beechcraft BE-76 that crashed.
Venkat was receiving instruction toward a multi-engine airplane rating. According to the NTSB report, the training syllabus for the flight included introduction to engine failures on takeoff and initial climb.
The four-seat Beechcraft crashed on the southern end of the airport just west of Lake Geneva off Godfrey Road.
All major parts of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site.
Yi was flying for Aviation Atlanta Inc., which held the registration for the plane, when it crashed. The company declined to comment Tuesday when contacted by the Rome News-Tribune.
26/05/09 Kaitlin Beard/Rome News Tribune, USA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Lokesh Venkat, 23, of India, was the student pilot flying the plane, and Kwang Yi, 34, of a Duluth address, was the instructor, when the plane crashed March 21, 2008, at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport in Armuchee.
Yi had a lack of total experience as a multi-engine flight instructor, according to the report. He had received his certificated flight instructor rating about three weeks prior to the crash.
The flight school reported that Yi had accumulated approximately 827 total hours of flight experience, including 111 hours in multi-engine airplanes, all in the same make and model as the twin-engine Beechcraft BE-76 that crashed.
Venkat was receiving instruction toward a multi-engine airplane rating. According to the NTSB report, the training syllabus for the flight included introduction to engine failures on takeoff and initial climb.
The four-seat Beechcraft crashed on the southern end of the airport just west of Lake Geneva off Godfrey Road.
All major parts of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site.
Yi was flying for Aviation Atlanta Inc., which held the registration for the plane, when it crashed. The company declined to comment Tuesday when contacted by the Rome News-Tribune.
26/05/09 Kaitlin Beard/Rome News Tribune, USA
Monday, May 25, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Air India plans to hire laid-off Jet Airways staff
Mumbai: The Air India is believed to be toying with the idea of hiring some of the laid-off Jet employees, as it would save time and cost on training.
“Air India has plans to hire cabin-crew. However, instead of recruiting freshers and then spending time and money on training them, we are mulling recruiting some of those laid-off by the Jet,” a source closely connected to the development told PTI here.
The Air India management is of the view that this move would help make considerable savings in both time and costs, besides fast-forwarding the recruitment process, the source said.
He, however, declined to reveal the number of personnel the national air carrier plans to take on board.
Jet Airways, plagued by mounting losses, recently laid off some of its cabin crew.
The industry practice is that prior to hiring, eligible candidates are put through a Group Dynamics and Personality Assessment Test (GD&PAT) before being called for personal interviews.
“If we induct already well-trained staff, we can deploy them directly into our aircraft without any wastage of time.
“They would, at the most, require about a week’s orientation,” the source said.
25/05/09 The Hindu
To read the news in full |
PermaLink “Air India has plans to hire cabin-crew. However, instead of recruiting freshers and then spending time and money on training them, we are mulling recruiting some of those laid-off by the Jet,” a source closely connected to the development told PTI here.
The Air India management is of the view that this move would help make considerable savings in both time and costs, besides fast-forwarding the recruitment process, the source said.
He, however, declined to reveal the number of personnel the national air carrier plans to take on board.
Jet Airways, plagued by mounting losses, recently laid off some of its cabin crew.
The industry practice is that prior to hiring, eligible candidates are put through a Group Dynamics and Personality Assessment Test (GD&PAT) before being called for personal interviews.
“If we induct already well-trained staff, we can deploy them directly into our aircraft without any wastage of time.
“They would, at the most, require about a week’s orientation,” the source said.
25/05/09 The Hindu
Friday, May 15, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Paramount Airways in expansion, to hire 1,000
Mumbai: Chennai-based Paramount Airways is set to hire over 1,000 people in phases over the next 15 months, even as big rivals prune staff and fleet size to cope with the effects of the economic downturn.
The personnel to be hired include cabin crew, technicians, pilots and ground staff as part of the airline’s fleet expansion plan. The airline, which now has 800 staff, plans to induct 15 new 80-seater Embraer planes into its fleet by the end of 2010.
The airline current has five Embraers and the new ones will come in under leases that will save on upfront investment.
“We are in the process of hiring and will employ 60 to 80 people per aircraft,” said 31-year-old M Thiagarajan, managing director, Paramount Airways, who is a pilot by training.
The staff addition works out to between 900 and 1200 people for 15 aircraft to be inducted in 18 months from now. The airline recently enhanced its route network to western and eastern India. It is planning to operate multiple flights to north India in the next quarter, Thiagarajan said.
14/05/09 Lalatendu Mishra/Hindustan Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The personnel to be hired include cabin crew, technicians, pilots and ground staff as part of the airline’s fleet expansion plan. The airline, which now has 800 staff, plans to induct 15 new 80-seater Embraer planes into its fleet by the end of 2010.
The airline current has five Embraers and the new ones will come in under leases that will save on upfront investment.
“We are in the process of hiring and will employ 60 to 80 people per aircraft,” said 31-year-old M Thiagarajan, managing director, Paramount Airways, who is a pilot by training.
The staff addition works out to between 900 and 1200 people for 15 aircraft to be inducted in 18 months from now. The airline recently enhanced its route network to western and eastern India. It is planning to operate multiple flights to north India in the next quarter, Thiagarajan said.
14/05/09 Lalatendu Mishra/Hindustan Times
Jet employees being laid off in phases
Mumbai: Jet Airways has issued termination letters to a section of the 1,900 employees who were shown the door last October and quickly reinstated in a dramatic turn of events.
Sources said the airline had kicked off the termination process on April 30 in a phased manner. “Each day saw 30-60 employees exiting in batches,” said an airline cabin crew, requesting anonymity. Jet Airways will pay these employees a month’s pay, in the Rs 30,000-35,000 range, and also return the security deposits specified under the service contract bond. This works out to an additional Rs 1.5 lakh.
Sources say the layoffs are likely to continue till Saturday as the cabin crew numbering 3,500 has been given a roster only till May 15. “Usually the crew is given a roster for the entire month,” they added. A spokesperson for Jet said, “The roster is being issued today (May 14).”
The story doing the rounds is that the sacked employees who were reinstated last year signed an agreement, which apparently specified that they could not protest or take legal action against the company if their services were terminated due to poor financial health of the airline. This has not been officially confirmed by the airline.
The Jet spokesperson said in an email response, “The airline has issued notices of termination to some cabin crew on probation in accordance with the terms of their contracts and in compliance with the law.” She added that under the present global economic environment, Jet had undertaken additional measures to streamline costs and improve its financial health.
14/05/09 Shubhra Tandon/Varada Bhat/Business Line
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Sources said the airline had kicked off the termination process on April 30 in a phased manner. “Each day saw 30-60 employees exiting in batches,” said an airline cabin crew, requesting anonymity. Jet Airways will pay these employees a month’s pay, in the Rs 30,000-35,000 range, and also return the security deposits specified under the service contract bond. This works out to an additional Rs 1.5 lakh.
Sources say the layoffs are likely to continue till Saturday as the cabin crew numbering 3,500 has been given a roster only till May 15. “Usually the crew is given a roster for the entire month,” they added. A spokesperson for Jet said, “The roster is being issued today (May 14).”
The story doing the rounds is that the sacked employees who were reinstated last year signed an agreement, which apparently specified that they could not protest or take legal action against the company if their services were terminated due to poor financial health of the airline. This has not been officially confirmed by the airline.
The Jet spokesperson said in an email response, “The airline has issued notices of termination to some cabin crew on probation in accordance with the terms of their contracts and in compliance with the law.” She added that under the present global economic environment, Jet had undertaken additional measures to streamline costs and improve its financial health.
14/05/09 Shubhra Tandon/Varada Bhat/Business Line
Jet sacks foreign air hostesses
New Delhi: India's second largest airline, Jet Airways, has retrenched all the 120 foreign airhostesses it had as part of its 3,000-strong cabin
crew. Jet has so far never hired cabin crew from the west and all expat airhostesses hailed from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. With Jet closing overseas crew bases in these three places, the 120 expats were laid off.
The move to retrench expat airhostesses is the latest in a series of steps taken to keep the airline afloat in tough times.
14/05/09 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink crew. Jet has so far never hired cabin crew from the west and all expat airhostesses hailed from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. With Jet closing overseas crew bases in these three places, the 120 expats were laid off.
The move to retrench expat airhostesses is the latest in a series of steps taken to keep the airline afloat in tough times.
14/05/09 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
Sunday, May 10, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
India Sends the Foreign Pilots Back Home
New Delhi: India's airlines, in a slump, are sending the following message to the cockpit: Foreign pilots, go home.
It's an abrupt turnaround from the past several years, when Western pilots looked to growing markets like India as saviors for their profession. While carriers in the U.S. and Europe struggled with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, India was opening its skies to new domestic carriers -- and hiring hundreds of foreign pilots to fill the new planes with experienced fliers.
But in the past several months, India's airline industry has contracted as the economic crisis has hit. Now, the industry is trying to cut costs.
Part of the solution: Firing expensive, though often more experienced, foreign pilots. India's government has effectively endorsed the purge. In March, it ordered airlines to get rid of all foreign pilots by July 2010.
For pilots, India's decision has raised a troubling question: If even growth markets like India won't hire pilots, who will?
Last year, in the twilight of his 45-year flying career, Svein Brendefur arrived in New Delhi with a single goal. "There was one thing I wanted very much that I wasn't able to do," the 64-year-old Norwegian says. "That was to fly the latest-generation planes."
After a career that included stints as a fighter pilot during the Cold War and at a big Scandinavian airline, he made captain for Indian carrier SpiceJet Ltd. and started flying the new Boeing jets.
Then, six days before Christmas, Mr. Brendefur was told his job at the Gurgaon-based airline would end at the end of the year. He has applied to other airlines in the Middle East and Asia, hoping to stay in the region. But, he says, he might be running out of time. "Every day, I'm coming closer and closer to 65, when no one will hire me anymore," he says.
More than 800 foreign pilots like Mr. Brendefur heeded the call to come to India, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. At their peak, they made up almost 20% of India's pilot corps.
Recently, though, the Indian aviation industry has hit hard times. The industry is expected to lose more than $1.5 billion in the year ended March 31, analysts estimate. Pleas for a government bailout have gone unanswered, and carriers say they have been forced to cut staff and sell planes to stay afloat.
In an election year, cutting Indians from the payroll has proved too politically sensitive. Firing foreign pilots, in contrast, doesn't set political alarm bells ringing, airlines and industry observers say.
"It makes overall economic sense to replace the expats," says Jack Ekl, chief pilot and executive vice president of flight operations for SpiceJet.
The airline still has 42 expatriate pilots, or roughly half of its captains, on the books, but expects to replace them by the government's deadline, he says.
Bangalore-based Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. said it is "in compliance with the program" to phase out foreign pilots.
09/05/09 Niraj Sheth/Patrick Barta/The Wall Street Journal
To read the news in full |
PermaLink It's an abrupt turnaround from the past several years, when Western pilots looked to growing markets like India as saviors for their profession. While carriers in the U.S. and Europe struggled with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, India was opening its skies to new domestic carriers -- and hiring hundreds of foreign pilots to fill the new planes with experienced fliers.
But in the past several months, India's airline industry has contracted as the economic crisis has hit. Now, the industry is trying to cut costs.
Part of the solution: Firing expensive, though often more experienced, foreign pilots. India's government has effectively endorsed the purge. In March, it ordered airlines to get rid of all foreign pilots by July 2010.
For pilots, India's decision has raised a troubling question: If even growth markets like India won't hire pilots, who will?
Last year, in the twilight of his 45-year flying career, Svein Brendefur arrived in New Delhi with a single goal. "There was one thing I wanted very much that I wasn't able to do," the 64-year-old Norwegian says. "That was to fly the latest-generation planes."
After a career that included stints as a fighter pilot during the Cold War and at a big Scandinavian airline, he made captain for Indian carrier SpiceJet Ltd. and started flying the new Boeing jets.
Then, six days before Christmas, Mr. Brendefur was told his job at the Gurgaon-based airline would end at the end of the year. He has applied to other airlines in the Middle East and Asia, hoping to stay in the region. But, he says, he might be running out of time. "Every day, I'm coming closer and closer to 65, when no one will hire me anymore," he says.
More than 800 foreign pilots like Mr. Brendefur heeded the call to come to India, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. At their peak, they made up almost 20% of India's pilot corps.
Recently, though, the Indian aviation industry has hit hard times. The industry is expected to lose more than $1.5 billion in the year ended March 31, analysts estimate. Pleas for a government bailout have gone unanswered, and carriers say they have been forced to cut staff and sell planes to stay afloat.
In an election year, cutting Indians from the payroll has proved too politically sensitive. Firing foreign pilots, in contrast, doesn't set political alarm bells ringing, airlines and industry observers say.
"It makes overall economic sense to replace the expats," says Jack Ekl, chief pilot and executive vice president of flight operations for SpiceJet.
The airline still has 42 expatriate pilots, or roughly half of its captains, on the books, but expects to replace them by the government's deadline, he says.
Bangalore-based Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. said it is "in compliance with the program" to phase out foreign pilots.
09/05/09 Niraj Sheth/Patrick Barta/The Wall Street Journal
Physics questions in geometry paper for pilot exam
Mumbai: Imagine appearing for the geometry examination only to find that the 100-mark paper has questions worth 20 marks from physics? Now think of the plight of the students if the pass marks in the exam is 70.
This is exactly what happened to hundreds of students who wrote the navigation paper for their commercial pilot licence examinations held this week.
"I was distraught when I started reading the navigation question paper and found the questions, one after the other, were related to the technical subject. For a moment, I thought I got the exam time-table wrong,'' a CPL aspirant said.
Hundreds of pilot-training students across India have been wondering why their question paper was so unfair. "Students in Bangalore and Delhi have started a signature campaign to bring this to the attention of the director-general of civil aviation. We plan to submit our complaint soon,'' a Mumbai student said. What students are certain of is a very high percentage of failure this time.
Students will have to wait for three months to attempt navigation the second time. DGCA Nasim Zaidi was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.
To get the commerical pilot licence, a student has to do 200 hours of flying training and clear written exams in four subjects: air meteorology, air regulations, technical (general and specific) and navigation.
09/05/09 Manju V/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink This is exactly what happened to hundreds of students who wrote the navigation paper for their commercial pilot licence examinations held this week.
"I was distraught when I started reading the navigation question paper and found the questions, one after the other, were related to the technical subject. For a moment, I thought I got the exam time-table wrong,'' a CPL aspirant said.
Hundreds of pilot-training students across India have been wondering why their question paper was so unfair. "Students in Bangalore and Delhi have started a signature campaign to bring this to the attention of the director-general of civil aviation. We plan to submit our complaint soon,'' a Mumbai student said. What students are certain of is a very high percentage of failure this time.
Students will have to wait for three months to attempt navigation the second time. DGCA Nasim Zaidi was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.
To get the commerical pilot licence, a student has to do 200 hours of flying training and clear written exams in four subjects: air meteorology, air regulations, technical (general and specific) and navigation.
09/05/09 Manju V/Times of India
Friday, May 08, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Flying schools in AP about to close down
Hyderabad: After flying high in the 1990s aviation boom, many flying schools are on the verge of getting grounded. Reason? Their licence agreements have not been renewed.
Surprisingly, licences of all the five flying schools in the state, including two in the city and one in Nadergul expired more than 10 years ago. This may pale in comparison as only two out of the 92 flying schools including private and government ones have valid licences in the country.
While many schools have been running for years without a licence, some have been forced to shut down or move to other locations.
"As far as the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is concerned, all the schools in the state are unauthorised operators. But when schools want to renew their licences, they put forth terms which no one can accept," head of a flying school in the state rued. In fact, the five flying schools, including the historic Nizam's Flying Club have been functioning by paying the rent as per the previous lease agreements.
Though the industry has hit a huge air pocket, each school has an average of 250 students per term while some have up to 500 students. Now, school authorities are fearing eviction as the AAI has increased the land rent for all the schools. According to the notice, the total rent to AAI works out to around Rs 2.2 crore per annum. Ironically, the turnover of most schools is less than Rs 2 crore.In a ripple effect, the increase in the AAI rent rates is also expected to increase training fee from Rs 18 lakh to Rs 40 lakh for 200 hours of flying. This will push students to flying schools abroad where the fee is less than Rs 12 lakh.
Aviation experts predict that there will be no functioning flying schools in the state if the present licence policy persists as they would all move out to other states where the rent is reasonable.
"Hyderabad has had a very rich flying culture from the time of the Nizam and the state has a high number of flying enthusiasts. If the schools move out, this culture will die," an aviation expert said.
However, R K Singla director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Hyderabad, said that there is nothing that the state authorities can do as the orders come from the centre.
08/05/09 Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Surprisingly, licences of all the five flying schools in the state, including two in the city and one in Nadergul expired more than 10 years ago. This may pale in comparison as only two out of the 92 flying schools including private and government ones have valid licences in the country.
While many schools have been running for years without a licence, some have been forced to shut down or move to other locations.
"As far as the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is concerned, all the schools in the state are unauthorised operators. But when schools want to renew their licences, they put forth terms which no one can accept," head of a flying school in the state rued. In fact, the five flying schools, including the historic Nizam's Flying Club have been functioning by paying the rent as per the previous lease agreements.
Though the industry has hit a huge air pocket, each school has an average of 250 students per term while some have up to 500 students. Now, school authorities are fearing eviction as the AAI has increased the land rent for all the schools. According to the notice, the total rent to AAI works out to around Rs 2.2 crore per annum. Ironically, the turnover of most schools is less than Rs 2 crore.In a ripple effect, the increase in the AAI rent rates is also expected to increase training fee from Rs 18 lakh to Rs 40 lakh for 200 hours of flying. This will push students to flying schools abroad where the fee is less than Rs 12 lakh.
Aviation experts predict that there will be no functioning flying schools in the state if the present licence policy persists as they would all move out to other states where the rent is reasonable.
"Hyderabad has had a very rich flying culture from the time of the Nizam and the state has a high number of flying enthusiasts. If the schools move out, this culture will die," an aviation expert said.
However, R K Singla director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Hyderabad, said that there is nothing that the state authorities can do as the orders come from the centre.
08/05/09 Times of India
Frankfinn bags 93 offers from international airlines
Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: Frankfinn Institute of Airhostess Training, a division of Frankfinn Aviation Service Limited, has beaten the recession blues and secured placements for 115 students in February and March this year.
Despite the prevailing economic downturn which had impacted the operations of the domestic as well as international airlines, Frankfinn has bagged as many as 93 offers from international airlines like Emirates Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Oman Air to name a few.
These international airlines have recruited students from the different Frankfinn centres across the country. Among the domestic carriers, low-cost carriers like GoAir, Indigo and Spice Jet have picked up students from the Frankfinn Institutes.
The average salaries at this year’s placements at Frankfinn are also at par with last year’s placements. The average domestic salaries at this year’s placements have stood at about Rs 25,000 per month while the average international salary was over Rs one lakh per month.
Apart from the aviation companies, the students at the different Frankfinn centres have also bagged offers from leading hotel chains like Taj Group of Hotels and Oberoi as well as from growing hospitality players like Leela Resorts, he claimed.
At present, Frankfinn runs 80 main centres and 35 information centres across the country. It also has an overseas centre at Dubai. Each Frankfinn centre trains about 200 students.
08/05/09 Jayajit Dash/Business Standard
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Despite the prevailing economic downturn which had impacted the operations of the domestic as well as international airlines, Frankfinn has bagged as many as 93 offers from international airlines like Emirates Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Oman Air to name a few.
These international airlines have recruited students from the different Frankfinn centres across the country. Among the domestic carriers, low-cost carriers like GoAir, Indigo and Spice Jet have picked up students from the Frankfinn Institutes.
The average salaries at this year’s placements at Frankfinn are also at par with last year’s placements. The average domestic salaries at this year’s placements have stood at about Rs 25,000 per month while the average international salary was over Rs one lakh per month.
Apart from the aviation companies, the students at the different Frankfinn centres have also bagged offers from leading hotel chains like Taj Group of Hotels and Oberoi as well as from growing hospitality players like Leela Resorts, he claimed.
At present, Frankfinn runs 80 main centres and 35 information centres across the country. It also has an overseas centre at Dubai. Each Frankfinn centre trains about 200 students.
08/05/09 Jayajit Dash/Business Standard
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Paramount set to recruit 80 foreign & 200 local pilots in a year
Mumbai: The Coimbatore-based Paramount Airways, the country’s only fully business class airline, has decided to hire 80 foreign pilots over the next one year to meet the shortage of skilled local pilots.
Paramount will also recruit 200 local pilots in the current year in a staggered manner. The company’s existing 100-pilot-strong team already comprises 40% expats. The new foreign pilots are likely to get packages of around Rs 3.5 lakh per month, including an accommodation allowance.
Paramount managing director M Thiagarajan said the company conducted interviews in Chennai last week for recruiting foreign as well as local pilots. The second phase of hiring will take place in July, he added.
“We need more pilots as we are adding 10 aircraft to the existing fleet of six planes. We will increase services from the existing 1,800 flights to 2,500 flights per month by October,” said Mr Thiagarajan. India has about 1,000 foreign pilots working in domestic airlines.
Paramount forayed into eastern India last month, with flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and Agartala. It plans to add Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi and Cooch Behar to its network over the next year.
05/05/09 Mithun Roy/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Paramount will also recruit 200 local pilots in the current year in a staggered manner. The company’s existing 100-pilot-strong team already comprises 40% expats. The new foreign pilots are likely to get packages of around Rs 3.5 lakh per month, including an accommodation allowance.
Paramount managing director M Thiagarajan said the company conducted interviews in Chennai last week for recruiting foreign as well as local pilots. The second phase of hiring will take place in July, he added.
“We need more pilots as we are adding 10 aircraft to the existing fleet of six planes. We will increase services from the existing 1,800 flights to 2,500 flights per month by October,” said Mr Thiagarajan. India has about 1,000 foreign pilots working in domestic airlines.
Paramount forayed into eastern India last month, with flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and Agartala. It plans to add Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi and Cooch Behar to its network over the next year.
05/05/09 Mithun Roy/Economic Times
Sunday, May 03, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
More job losses in the air as domestic carriers cut capacity
Mumbai: At least 2,500 airline employees are expected to lose their jobs in next four-six months from domestic carriers that are set to post a combined loss of $2 billion in 2008-09, according to airline executives and analysts. This is about 8% of the total workforce employed by private carriers.
Wiser with the Jet Airways (India) Ltd’s experience, domestic carriers are not going for large-scale retrenchments at one go. Instead, they are taking employees off payrolls in phases and small lots.
Jet Airways had planned to sack as many as 1,900 cabin crew in 2008 but had to abandon the plan in the face of stiff political resistance.
Retrenchment is only one leg of the cost-cutting exercise that domestic carriers are undertaking. They are also paring pay packets of existing employees, yet again.
The trigger for the retrenchment is a fresh round of capacity reduction of up to 20%, starting June. This is on top of the 15% cut in flights that domestic carriers had effected in mid-2008 in the wake of rising cost of aviation turbine fuel and mounting losses.
To add to their woes, India’s airlines posted an at least 10% decline in passenger traffic during the fiscal ended March, hit by a slowing economy and high fares.
Jet Airways has handed over pink slips to about three dozens executives who are at least 60 years old. It has also terminated some of the cabin crew on probation and other management staff and shut its offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
A Jet Airways spokeswoman said the carrier is constantly undertaking measures to streamline costs to improve the financial health of the firm in the wake of the challenging global economic environment.
Jet’s rival Kingfisher Airlines Ltd recently rationalized salaries of pilots by migrating to a remuneration structure linked to flying hours. It has also retrenched 300 employees, including foreign nationals who were drawing huge salaries. This has translated into a Rs10 crore annual saving for Kingfisher.
“We will review the need of further trimming the workforce based on the proposed capacity reduction,” said a senior executive with Kingfisher Airlines. He did not want to be identified, considering the sensitivity of the issue.
At least a dozen Kingfisher Airlines pilots are slated to leave the airline, following the change in their salary structure.
“You will see more technical staff quitting Indian carriers because of reduction in the remuneration structure. Since airlines are cutting number of flights, there is no scope for increase in salaries for engineers and pilots,” said another Kingfisher Airlines executive.
State-owned National Aviation Co. of India Ltd, or Nacil, that runs Air India, has also put recruitments on freeze. Since it is a government-run company, Nacil is not in a position to retrench employees but one of its executives said extending retired officers’ tenure will be restricted only in the operational areas with stringent terms and conditions. Traditionally, Nacil extends service of retired employees in key operational areas to capitalize on their experience.
Low-fare carriers such as SpiceJet Ltd and InterGlobe Aviation Pvt. Ltd are, on the other hand, hiring selectively even as GoAirlines (India) Pvt. Ltd and Paramount Airways Ltd have frozen recruitments.
West Asian carriers such as Qatar Airways, Oman Air (SAOC), Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia PJSC are hiring Indian pilots and engineers as they are expanding despite the global economic slowdown.
03/05/09 P.R. Sanjai/Livemint
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Wiser with the Jet Airways (India) Ltd’s experience, domestic carriers are not going for large-scale retrenchments at one go. Instead, they are taking employees off payrolls in phases and small lots.
Jet Airways had planned to sack as many as 1,900 cabin crew in 2008 but had to abandon the plan in the face of stiff political resistance.
Retrenchment is only one leg of the cost-cutting exercise that domestic carriers are undertaking. They are also paring pay packets of existing employees, yet again.
The trigger for the retrenchment is a fresh round of capacity reduction of up to 20%, starting June. This is on top of the 15% cut in flights that domestic carriers had effected in mid-2008 in the wake of rising cost of aviation turbine fuel and mounting losses.
To add to their woes, India’s airlines posted an at least 10% decline in passenger traffic during the fiscal ended March, hit by a slowing economy and high fares.
Jet Airways has handed over pink slips to about three dozens executives who are at least 60 years old. It has also terminated some of the cabin crew on probation and other management staff and shut its offices in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
A Jet Airways spokeswoman said the carrier is constantly undertaking measures to streamline costs to improve the financial health of the firm in the wake of the challenging global economic environment.
Jet’s rival Kingfisher Airlines Ltd recently rationalized salaries of pilots by migrating to a remuneration structure linked to flying hours. It has also retrenched 300 employees, including foreign nationals who were drawing huge salaries. This has translated into a Rs10 crore annual saving for Kingfisher.
“We will review the need of further trimming the workforce based on the proposed capacity reduction,” said a senior executive with Kingfisher Airlines. He did not want to be identified, considering the sensitivity of the issue.
At least a dozen Kingfisher Airlines pilots are slated to leave the airline, following the change in their salary structure.
“You will see more technical staff quitting Indian carriers because of reduction in the remuneration structure. Since airlines are cutting number of flights, there is no scope for increase in salaries for engineers and pilots,” said another Kingfisher Airlines executive.
State-owned National Aviation Co. of India Ltd, or Nacil, that runs Air India, has also put recruitments on freeze. Since it is a government-run company, Nacil is not in a position to retrench employees but one of its executives said extending retired officers’ tenure will be restricted only in the operational areas with stringent terms and conditions. Traditionally, Nacil extends service of retired employees in key operational areas to capitalize on their experience.
Low-fare carriers such as SpiceJet Ltd and InterGlobe Aviation Pvt. Ltd are, on the other hand, hiring selectively even as GoAirlines (India) Pvt. Ltd and Paramount Airways Ltd have frozen recruitments.
West Asian carriers such as Qatar Airways, Oman Air (SAOC), Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia PJSC are hiring Indian pilots and engineers as they are expanding despite the global economic slowdown.
03/05/09 P.R. Sanjai/Livemint
DGCA raps Kingfisher airlines for directive misuse
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given a ray of hope to pilots by rapping the knuckles of Kingfisher Airlines for misusing one of its directives. In fact, it could put other airline managements on the mat too for reducing pilot salaries arbitrarily, but refusing to allow them to leave for greener pastures.
A DGCA letter, dated April 24, 2009, to Kingfisher says it was reacting to information it had received that the airline was insisting pilots serve them for six months on reduced salary since it is a DGCA rule.
But the letter, which TOI has a copy of, informs the airline categorically, "This CAR (civil aviation requirement) on notice period shall not be made applicable on matters wherein terms and conditions of employment have been altered/amended and there is a dispute in employer-employee relationship. Such disputes may be settled in the appropriate court of law."
And that's precisely what Kingfisher and some other airlines have been doing reducing salaries, and perks of pilots and informing them simply via email. Flying hours too were reduced from 80-85 hours monthly to 55-50 hours as leased planes were sent back. "Recession was a valid reason, but that was no excuse for preventing us from leaving for better prospects," says a pilot.
The letter also informed Kingfisher that "the provisions of this CAR, Section 7, Series X, shall only be applicable wherein resignations by pilots result in cancellation of flights causing inconvenience to passengers and where such action holds the airline to ransom."
Meanwhile, Kingfishers spokesman Prakash Mirpuri, said, "We have taken note of the DGCA ruling and shall deal with the pilots who have resigned accordingly."
That CAR, incidentally, was imposed in 2005 and made it mandatory for pilots to serve a six-month notice period before quitting an airline to join another, unless the airline employing them gave a No Objection Certificate. The CAR was made when there was a severe shortage of pilots and was ostensibly meant to help passengers who were left in the lurch due to last-minute flight cancellations due to absentee pilots. However, with the present glut of pilots, mainly co-pilots, this CAR made no sense.
02/05/09 Shobha John/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink A DGCA letter, dated April 24, 2009, to Kingfisher says it was reacting to information it had received that the airline was insisting pilots serve them for six months on reduced salary since it is a DGCA rule.
But the letter, which TOI has a copy of, informs the airline categorically, "This CAR (civil aviation requirement) on notice period shall not be made applicable on matters wherein terms and conditions of employment have been altered/amended and there is a dispute in employer-employee relationship. Such disputes may be settled in the appropriate court of law."
And that's precisely what Kingfisher and some other airlines have been doing reducing salaries, and perks of pilots and informing them simply via email. Flying hours too were reduced from 80-85 hours monthly to 55-50 hours as leased planes were sent back. "Recession was a valid reason, but that was no excuse for preventing us from leaving for better prospects," says a pilot.
The letter also informed Kingfisher that "the provisions of this CAR, Section 7, Series X, shall only be applicable wherein resignations by pilots result in cancellation of flights causing inconvenience to passengers and where such action holds the airline to ransom."
Meanwhile, Kingfishers spokesman Prakash Mirpuri, said, "We have taken note of the DGCA ruling and shall deal with the pilots who have resigned accordingly."
That CAR, incidentally, was imposed in 2005 and made it mandatory for pilots to serve a six-month notice period before quitting an airline to join another, unless the airline employing them gave a No Objection Certificate. The CAR was made when there was a severe shortage of pilots and was ostensibly meant to help passengers who were left in the lurch due to last-minute flight cancellations due to absentee pilots. However, with the present glut of pilots, mainly co-pilots, this CAR made no sense.
02/05/09 Shobha John/Times of India
Friday, May 01, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
SpiceJet’s expat pilot list to shrink
Mumbai: Spicejet will not renew contracts of 55 foreign pilots, which are due to expire in June, October and December. “We will gradually replace foreign pilots with Indian talent in order to reduce salary costs,” a senior SpiceJet official told ET. Currently, expat pilots are paid a monthly salary of Rs 5 lakh, plus hotel accommodation of Rs 2 lakh, whereas their Indian counterpart draw Rs 3.6 lakh in a month. Confirming the development, SpiceJet CEO Sanjay Aggarwal said the company will phase out foreign pilots and will follow the rules set by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Currently, SpiceJet has around 250 pilots, including expats. In 2005, the government allowed airline operators to hire foreign co-pilots, senior pilots or commanders till July 2010, as India did not have enough trained pilots. DGCA director general Kanu Gohain had said earlier that 1,490 foreign pilots were given licences last year to seek work in the Indian civil aviation sector. At present, India has 944 foreign pilots, of which 810 are commanders and 134 are co-pilots.
SpiceJet flew more than 4.59 million passengers in the last financial year, compared with about 4.50 million in the previous year. The airline has 19 aircraft, with nine more on order, which will join from early next year. It operates 117 flights daily to 18 cities.
01/05/09 Mithun Roy/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Currently, SpiceJet has around 250 pilots, including expats. In 2005, the government allowed airline operators to hire foreign co-pilots, senior pilots or commanders till July 2010, as India did not have enough trained pilots. DGCA director general Kanu Gohain had said earlier that 1,490 foreign pilots were given licences last year to seek work in the Indian civil aviation sector. At present, India has 944 foreign pilots, of which 810 are commanders and 134 are co-pilots.
SpiceJet flew more than 4.59 million passengers in the last financial year, compared with about 4.50 million in the previous year. The airline has 19 aircraft, with nine more on order, which will join from early next year. It operates 117 flights daily to 18 cities.
01/05/09 Mithun Roy/Economic Times
Jet Airways sacks 60 cabin crew
Mumbai: Jet Airways, India's largest private airline, laid off 60 of its cabin crew members late on Thursday night. The dismissed crew members were part of the group of 850, who were laid off in October last year, only to be taken back the very next day by airline chairman Naresh Goyal.
"This time it did not come as a shock as the fear of being laid off hung like a sword over our heads after last year's high drama,'' said a cabin crew member. "Going strictly by our employment contract, most of us were eligible for our confirmation letters as we had completed our six months with the airlines, '' he added.
Confirming the development, a Jet Airways spokesperson said the airline had undertaken additional measures to streamline cost to improve its financial health under the current challenging global economic environment. "The airline has issued notices of termination to some crew members on probation in accordance with their terms of contract and in compliance with the law,'' said the official without revealing the number of employees laid off.
The airline said it would provide information like name and contact details of the dismissed personnel to other carriers interested in recruitments.
01/05/09 Manju V/Times of India
To read the news in full |
PermaLink "This time it did not come as a shock as the fear of being laid off hung like a sword over our heads after last year's high drama,'' said a cabin crew member. "Going strictly by our employment contract, most of us were eligible for our confirmation letters as we had completed our six months with the airlines, '' he added.
Confirming the development, a Jet Airways spokesperson said the airline had undertaken additional measures to streamline cost to improve its financial health under the current challenging global economic environment. "The airline has issued notices of termination to some crew members on probation in accordance with their terms of contract and in compliance with the law,'' said the official without revealing the number of employees laid off.
The airline said it would provide information like name and contact details of the dismissed personnel to other carriers interested in recruitments.
01/05/09 Manju V/Times of India
Thursday, April 30, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Pilots Licence Examination schedule published
The schedule of Pilots Licence Examination April 2009 session is published by DGCA.
Examinations are from May 4, 2009 to May 06, 2009.
Here is the list of candidates admitted for examination at various centres:
Rejected candidates:
List1
List2
28/04/09 DGCA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Examinations are from May 4, 2009 to May 06, 2009.
Here is the list of candidates admitted for examination at various centres:
Rejected candidates:
List1
List2
28/04/09 DGCA
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Asiatic International Aviation Academy now Starting Ground classes to help train
The Asiatic International Aviation Academy http://aiacorp.co.in is now Starting
Ground classes to help foreign traind pilots. GROUND CLASSE for all subjects for
Cockpit Crew, CPL and RTR COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE (CPL) Coaching of ground
subjects and RTR (A)
Ground Subjects Ground classes shall be starts WEF 6Th May 2009.
According to Capt Yashika Mahajan & Capt K Vivek The Coaching of ground subjects
such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation,
Aircraft Technical, General. Specific. Shall be teaching for all those Pilots who
did flying from abroad & wants to get licence converted. Exams are held by DGCA in
Jan,April,Jul,Oct are objective(no negative marking) can appear separately Pass
marks - 70% RTR(A) -Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical). Certificate of
Proficiency by Ministry of Communications and issued by WPC Exams are held every 2
months.
All classes shall be conducted at opposit to Indore Airport [MP] for a very less
fees as compare to any other Metro city. Also food and accommodation shall be assist
by the Academy.
27/04/09 PRESS RELEASE/Asiatic International Aviation Academy
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Ground classes to help foreign traind pilots. GROUND CLASSE for all subjects for
Cockpit Crew, CPL and RTR COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE (CPL) Coaching of ground
subjects and RTR (A)
Ground Subjects Ground classes shall be starts WEF 6Th May 2009.
According to Capt Yashika Mahajan & Capt K Vivek The Coaching of ground subjects
such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation,
Aircraft Technical, General. Specific. Shall be teaching for all those Pilots who
did flying from abroad & wants to get licence converted. Exams are held by DGCA in
Jan,April,Jul,Oct are objective(no negative marking) can appear separately Pass
marks - 70% RTR(A) -Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical). Certificate of
Proficiency by Ministry of Communications and issued by WPC Exams are held every 2
months.
All classes shall be conducted at opposit to Indore Airport [MP] for a very less
fees as compare to any other Metro city. Also food and accommodation shall be assist
by the Academy.
27/04/09 PRESS RELEASE/Asiatic International Aviation Academy
Sunday, April 26, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
SpiceJet to upgrade 40 co-pilots
Mumbai: Budget airline, SpiceJet, has plans to train around 35-40 co-pilots and graduate them into full-fledged pilots, a top company official said.
"We are looking at training some 35-40 first officers (co-pilots) to bring them on to the right (pilot) seat," SpiceJet Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Aggarwal, told media here. The first officers were being upgraded into pilots as the airline had plans to phase out expat pilots by the year-end, Aggarwal said, adding that, "14 first officers are already being upgraded into pilots."
"We have been mandated by the regulatory body, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to phase out expat pilots. So we need to upgrade 35-40 pilots into captains," he said.
The pilot strength in SpiceJet presently stands at 204 RPT 204 of which 106 are co-pilots and 98 captains. Of the 98 captains, 44 are expats.
In addition, 22 first officers are undergoing training and would occupy the left seat shortly, he said.
26/04/09 PTI/mydigitalfc.com
To read the news in full |
PermaLink "We are looking at training some 35-40 first officers (co-pilots) to bring them on to the right (pilot) seat," SpiceJet Chief Executive Officer, Sanjay Aggarwal, told media here. The first officers were being upgraded into pilots as the airline had plans to phase out expat pilots by the year-end, Aggarwal said, adding that, "14 first officers are already being upgraded into pilots."
"We have been mandated by the regulatory body, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to phase out expat pilots. So we need to upgrade 35-40 pilots into captains," he said.
The pilot strength in SpiceJet presently stands at 204 RPT 204 of which 106 are co-pilots and 98 captains. Of the 98 captains, 44 are expats.
In addition, 22 first officers are undergoing training and would occupy the left seat shortly, he said.
26/04/09 PTI/mydigitalfc.com
Thursday, April 23, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Job loss scare driving Indian pilots to Gulf carriers
New Delhi: Salary cuts and job uncertainty are driving pilots in Indian carriers to greener pastures abroad, with as many as 25 pilots believed to be heading for the Gulf.
Pilots from Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines are expected to join leading Gulf carrier Qatar Airways.
Jet Airways said it has no information of its pilots quitting. "I don't think there is any truth in it. We have not got any intimation of that sort from any pilot," a spokesperson said.The Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson was not available for comment.
Last October, Jet Airways had announced the retrenchment of about 1,900 employees after a strategic alliance with Kingfisher. It, however, took back the employees following widespread protests.
During the same period, senior Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines officials announced massive expansion plans in India, saying the country was not only an important market but also an important source for personnel including crew.
"Forty percent of our team is from India. We will continue to keep adding people, as the current global turmoil has not affected our operations. Since we cater to a wide variety of countries, our crew should be able to speak multiple languages," Naveen Chawla, the regional manager for India with the Qatari carrier had said then.
Orhan Abbas, the vice president for India and Nepal Emirates Airlines, had similarly told reporters here his company was looking for more people from India. "We will recruit more people as cabin crew and other operations especially from India."
23/04/09 IANS/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Pilots from Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines are expected to join leading Gulf carrier Qatar Airways.
Jet Airways said it has no information of its pilots quitting. "I don't think there is any truth in it. We have not got any intimation of that sort from any pilot," a spokesperson said.The Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson was not available for comment.
Last October, Jet Airways had announced the retrenchment of about 1,900 employees after a strategic alliance with Kingfisher. It, however, took back the employees following widespread protests.
During the same period, senior Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines officials announced massive expansion plans in India, saying the country was not only an important market but also an important source for personnel including crew.
"Forty percent of our team is from India. We will continue to keep adding people, as the current global turmoil has not affected our operations. Since we cater to a wide variety of countries, our crew should be able to speak multiple languages," Naveen Chawla, the regional manager for India with the Qatari carrier had said then.
Orhan Abbas, the vice president for India and Nepal Emirates Airlines, had similarly told reporters here his company was looking for more people from India. "We will recruit more people as cabin crew and other operations especially from India."
23/04/09 IANS/Economic Times
Jet loses 13 pilots to Qatar Airways, more may follow suit
Mumbai: Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways has lost 13 pilots to Doha-based Qatar Airways.
"Thirteen pilots have put in their papers to join Qatar Airways and many more resignations are in the pipeline," a Jet Airways source said on Wednesday.
These pilots have received job offer letters from the Middle-East air-carrier and have asked Jet Airways to relieve them, the source said, adding that many more pilots are likely to quit in the days ahead.
Jet Airways confirmed the resignation of the pilots. "We have received resignations of 13 pilots as on date ... this will not impact our operations," an airline spokesperson said. Earlier, around two dozen pilots from Kingfisher Airlines are reported toi have put in their papers to board Qatar Airways and a domestic air-carrier.
22/04/09 PTI/Economic Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink "Thirteen pilots have put in their papers to join Qatar Airways and many more resignations are in the pipeline," a Jet Airways source said on Wednesday.
These pilots have received job offer letters from the Middle-East air-carrier and have asked Jet Airways to relieve them, the source said, adding that many more pilots are likely to quit in the days ahead.
Jet Airways confirmed the resignation of the pilots. "We have received resignations of 13 pilots as on date ... this will not impact our operations," an airline spokesperson said. Earlier, around two dozen pilots from Kingfisher Airlines are reported toi have put in their papers to board Qatar Airways and a domestic air-carrier.
22/04/09 PTI/Economic Times
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
12 more Kingfisher pilots quit, to join Qatar Airways
Mumbai: Close on the heels of about a dozen pilots quitting Kingfisher Airlines, 12 more have put in their papers at the Vijay Mallya-owned air carrier.
“Twelve more pilots have put in their papers and will soon be joining the Gulf-based airline, Qatar Airways,” a Kingfisher Airlines' official said.
About a dozen pilots had resigned earlier to join other domestic air-carriers, the official said. Though Qatar Airways has given job offer letters to 14 pilots from the airlines, two have not yet made up their mind on quitting as they are already flying wide-body aircraft, the official said.
These pilots are supposed to join Qatar Airways by June 8, the official said. However, these pilots do not come under the ambit of the civil aviation requirement of 2005, which makes it mandatory for pilots to serve a six-month notice prior to leaving their employer.
The 2005 CAR is applicable to only those pilots who join domestic airlines. In the case of overseas carriers, one-month notice is sufficient, the official said.
21/04/09 Business Line
To read the news in full |
PermaLink “Twelve more pilots have put in their papers and will soon be joining the Gulf-based airline, Qatar Airways,” a Kingfisher Airlines' official said.
About a dozen pilots had resigned earlier to join other domestic air-carriers, the official said. Though Qatar Airways has given job offer letters to 14 pilots from the airlines, two have not yet made up their mind on quitting as they are already flying wide-body aircraft, the official said.
These pilots are supposed to join Qatar Airways by June 8, the official said. However, these pilots do not come under the ambit of the civil aviation requirement of 2005, which makes it mandatory for pilots to serve a six-month notice prior to leaving their employer.
The 2005 CAR is applicable to only those pilots who join domestic airlines. In the case of overseas carriers, one-month notice is sufficient, the official said.
21/04/09 Business Line
Computer numbers allotted for AME license exam
DGCA's central examination organization has published the list of allotted computer numbers for AME license examination.
The applicants have to meet the requirements as specified in the Aircraft Rules/CAR for appearing in written examinations. The candidates from the AME Trg. Institutes must enclose the results of their 1st & 2nd semesters along with their CA-9 applications.
Download the lists from here:
16/04/09 DGCA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The applicants have to meet the requirements as specified in the Aircraft Rules/CAR for appearing in written examinations. The candidates from the AME Trg. Institutes must enclose the results of their 1st & 2nd semesters along with their CA-9 applications.
Download the lists from here:
16/04/09 DGCA
Sunday, April 19, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Kingfisher pilots allege breach of contract, petition DGCA
About a dozen pilots of Kingfisher Airlines have petitioned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to direct the airline to waive the mandatory six months notice period (for leaving the company) on their service contract.
The pilots said they are seeking the waiver as the airline has already breached their contracts by altering some service conditions including changes in the salary structure.
“We have petitioned the DGCA that Kingfisher should not be allowed to invoke civil aviation requirement (CAR) of 2005, which entails a 6-month prior notice for quitting, on the ground that our service contracts have been changed unilaterally,” a petitioner told PTI in Mumbai.
These pilots have put in their papers and are joining other carriers, but the airline is not relieving them, citing the 6-month notice clause, the petitioner said.
A senior DGCA official confirmed that the pilots have approached the regulator.
The pilots who have quit Mallya’s airline include five from Delhi and two each from Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
19/04/09 Press Trust Of India/Hindustan Times
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The pilots said they are seeking the waiver as the airline has already breached their contracts by altering some service conditions including changes in the salary structure.
“We have petitioned the DGCA that Kingfisher should not be allowed to invoke civil aviation requirement (CAR) of 2005, which entails a 6-month prior notice for quitting, on the ground that our service contracts have been changed unilaterally,” a petitioner told PTI in Mumbai.
These pilots have put in their papers and are joining other carriers, but the airline is not relieving them, citing the 6-month notice clause, the petitioner said.
A senior DGCA official confirmed that the pilots have approached the regulator.
The pilots who have quit Mallya’s airline include five from Delhi and two each from Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
19/04/09 Press Trust Of India/Hindustan Times
Friday, April 17, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
Pilot licence exams postponed; Flight Despatchers Exam result published
DGCA informs that the Pilot Licence Written Examination, April 2009 earlier scheduled for 27th, 28th & 29th April, 2009 have been rescheduled. The exams are tentatively scheduled for 4th, 5th & 6th May, 2009.
The list of candidates passed in Flight Despatchers Examination (General) March 2009 is published at DGCA website. to download, click here.
15/04/09 DGCA
To read the news in full |
PermaLink The list of candidates passed in Flight Despatchers Examination (General) March 2009 is published at DGCA website. to download, click here.
15/04/09 DGCA
Thursday, April 16, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
AP Aviation Academy now using Elite device to help train pilots
The AP Aviation Academy is now using a device designed and built by Elite Simulation Solutions to help train pilots fly the glass cockpit version of Cessna 172R.
Elite has installed the Evolution iGATE S1000 advanced ATD at the Academy's headquarters at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The device has exact replication of the glass cockpit of the C172R, a 3-channel visual system featuring custom-built India RealView airport scenery with 60cm aerial
photography resolution, and 3D replication of every building at the airport.
The Academy can trace its history to 1932, when it was opened as the AP Flying Club under the guidance of the ex-ruler Nizam of Hyderabad. It became
AP Aviation Academy in 1998 and currently runs a fleet of two Cessna C152s and two Cessna 172Rs, both with glass cockpit.
Fully approved by the India DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) it opened an AME college three years ago, this now having 251 students. The Academy also offers a MSc (Aviation) course, approved by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, to students of both pilot’s courses - currently 62 trainee pilots - and of the AME. This course is unique in India.
It won the Government of India Aero Club of India award for the best performing flight training organization in India for the year 2007 – 2008.
AP’s Captain Satya Reddy – who has over 25,000 hours flying experience on types such as the Avro 748, Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 and is a former examiner in Indian Airlines/Air India – said: The reason we selected the Elite simulator is that it is a glass cockpit replica of the Cessna 172R and offers practice on all instrument procedures, such as VOR/ILS, DME arc, SIDS and STARS for any
airport.
“This gives good practice for the change over from conventional analogue instruments to a modern glass cockpit as found in the latest aircraft, such as the A320, A340, Boeing 777 and Boeing 747-400. It is like a mini A320 simulator, without the motion.“
“Our students are very happy that all types of let downs and instrument procedures can be practiced, under various simulated weather conditions.”
The sale of the Elite device was handled by the company’s dealer in India, SRK Aviacom (I) Pvt Ltd, who had made successful previous sales of Elite’s
equipment to flight training organisations in India, with certifications granted by the India DGCA.
15/04/09 PRESS RELEASE/Elite Simulation Solutions
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Elite has installed the Evolution iGATE S1000 advanced ATD at the Academy's headquarters at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The device has exact replication of the glass cockpit of the C172R, a 3-channel visual system featuring custom-built India RealView airport scenery with 60cm aerial
photography resolution, and 3D replication of every building at the airport.
The Academy can trace its history to 1932, when it was opened as the AP Flying Club under the guidance of the ex-ruler Nizam of Hyderabad. It became
AP Aviation Academy in 1998 and currently runs a fleet of two Cessna C152s and two Cessna 172Rs, both with glass cockpit.
Fully approved by the India DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) it opened an AME college three years ago, this now having 251 students. The Academy also offers a MSc (Aviation) course, approved by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, to students of both pilot’s courses - currently 62 trainee pilots - and of the AME. This course is unique in India.
It won the Government of India Aero Club of India award for the best performing flight training organization in India for the year 2007 – 2008.
AP’s Captain Satya Reddy – who has over 25,000 hours flying experience on types such as the Avro 748, Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 and is a former examiner in Indian Airlines/Air India – said: The reason we selected the Elite simulator is that it is a glass cockpit replica of the Cessna 172R and offers practice on all instrument procedures, such as VOR/ILS, DME arc, SIDS and STARS for any
airport.
“This gives good practice for the change over from conventional analogue instruments to a modern glass cockpit as found in the latest aircraft, such as the A320, A340, Boeing 777 and Boeing 747-400. It is like a mini A320 simulator, without the motion.“
“Our students are very happy that all types of let downs and instrument procedures can be practiced, under various simulated weather conditions.”
The sale of the Elite device was handled by the company’s dealer in India, SRK Aviacom (I) Pvt Ltd, who had made successful previous sales of Elite’s
equipment to flight training organisations in India, with certifications granted by the India DGCA.
15/04/09 PRESS RELEASE/Elite Simulation Solutions
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
ALL aviation news from India: Aviation India Blog
More than 5000 trained pilots to get job soon
Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is planning to phase out foreign pilots and lower pilots' retirement age.
Owing to restrictions imposed by the model code of conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the government would announce a package making jobs available for unemployed Indian pilots once the elections are over, a DGCA official told DNA on the condition of anonymity.
The move will benefit more than 5,000 youth who during the pre-meltdown aviation boom trained as commercial pilots in countries such as Canada, Russia, the US and the Philippines, spending Rs25-30 lakh in the process, but are now without jobs. It will also benefit about 2,000 youth who are soon to complete pilot training.
The DGCA has prepared a draft proposal recommending foreign pilots' period of employment be reduced from three to two years and the retirement age for a pilot brought down from 65 to 60 years. The policy is likely to create 2,000 vacancies in the next six months, the official said.
Such is the job drought that Air India has received more than 1,350 responses to an advertisement for 30 trainee pilot posts. But just three years ago, there was a serious shortage of pilots in the country, necessitating emergency recruitment of pilots from abroad.
14/04/09 Daily News & Analysis
To read the news in full |
PermaLink Owing to restrictions imposed by the model code of conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the government would announce a package making jobs available for unemployed Indian pilots once the elections are over, a DGCA official told DNA on the condition of anonymity.
The move will benefit more than 5,000 youth who during the pre-meltdown aviation boom trained as commercial pilots in countries such as Canada, Russia, the US and the Philippines, spending Rs25-30 lakh in the process, but are now without jobs. It will also benefit about 2,000 youth who are soon to complete pilot training.
The DGCA has prepared a draft proposal recommending foreign pilots' period of employment be reduced from three to two years and the retirement age for a pilot brought down from 65 to 60 years. The policy is likely to create 2,000 vacancies in the next six months, the official said.
Such is the job drought that Air India has received more than 1,350 responses to an advertisement for 30 trainee pilot posts. But just three years ago, there was a serious shortage of pilots in the country, necessitating emergency recruitment of pilots from abroad.
14/04/09 Daily News & Analysis
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