Latest news with #Dornier228
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Civil aviation ministry, IAF working together to induct retired military pilots for flying Dornier 228 aircraft, ET Infra
Advt Advt By , ETInfra Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is working with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to induct retired military pilots in order to address the shortage of pilots who can fly the civilian version of the Dornier 228 Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd-manufactured civilian version of 19-seater Dornier 228, was introduced in the northeast region in April 2022 under the UDAN or regional connectivity scheme to connect remote places in the lack of trained civil pilots for Dornier 228 has emerged as a major impediment for the expansion of flight services under the scheme.'We are working with the (Indian) Air Force to induct their retiring pilots. For Dornier, the pool of pilots is from the Air Force only,' said a senior government official aware of the development. The official added that the ministry has undertaken several rounds of meetings with the IAF on the the flight services in the northeastern states are being provided by government-owned Alliance Air which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics, to operate the India-made Dornier aircraft. The aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics at its Kanpur the last few years, senior officials from Hindustan Aeronautics have highlighted the issue of lack of trained civil pilots to fly the Dornier 228 to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The aircraft manufacturer had earlier leased two Dornier 228s to Alliance that retired pilots from the IAF cannot directly be deployed for operating the civilian version of the Dornier 228, the official outlined that the pilots will have to undergo the necessary qualification and certification process mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).'Whether it is helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, defense pilots automatically are not qualified to be civil pilots. So, they have to go through the DGCA process,' the official said.'The process is a little bit shorter compared to a fresh person coming and becoming a pilot, but they have to go through it,' he Dornier 228 small aircraft is an important part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation's strategy of creating a hub and spoke model of regional air connectivity in the country, linking relatively distant and inaccessible areas with major cities.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electric plane tech centre to be built near Glasgow Airport
A new manufacturing centre for zero-emission aircraft technology is to built near Glasgow Airport. ZeroAvia said a facility to develop and manufacture hydrogen fuel cells for small electric planes could be in operation by 2028, creating around 350 jobs. The US-based start-up has previously conducted test flights in England with a 19-seater aircraft which was powered by a hydrogen/electric system. The firm has received millions of pounds of backing from the UK and Scottish governments, and Scotland's National Investment Bank. Carbon-free flights promised 'within two years' Will flights really reach net zero by 2050 - and at what cost to passengers? The new Hydrogen Centre of Excellence and manufacturing facility with be located within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District near the airport in Renfrewshire. It will focus on developing the hydrogen fuel cells, while the electric motors will be built in the US and the planes tested at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray both attended an event at Glasgow Airport to launch the firm's plans. Swinney said: "ZeroAvia's decision to establish a base in Scotland – creating 350 highly-skilled jobs in the process - is the perfect illustration of Scotland's growing reputation in the global transition to net zero." Murray said millions of pounds of UK government investment would create and support hundreds of Scottish jobs. "It is a perfect example of the UK and Scottish governments working together to drive innovation and manufacturing in Scotland," he said. The firm has received £32m of investment from the UK's National Wealth Fund and £18.5m of research funding since 2019. Scottish Enterprise has also provided £9m of grant funding while the Scottish National Investment Bank has invested £20m. The aviation industry is thought to account for 2-3% of global carbon emissions, and decarbonising the sector is a major technical challenge. The weight of batteries limits their potential for electric aircraft, and a number of firms are instead looking to use hydrogen to generate electricity on board the plan itself, using hydrogen fuel cells on board the plane. The only emissions from this process would be water. In 2023 ZeroAvia successfully tested a twin-engined Dornier 228 aircraft, normally powered by kerosene, with one motor powered by a hydrogen electric system. The firm has submitted its first full engine for up to 20 seat planes for certification from aviation regulators, and is working on a larger system for 40-80 seat aircraft. A spokesperson said it was hoping to get its first regulatory approvals next year, and it had received advanced orders for nearly 3,000 power systems and components. The founder and chief executive of ZeroAvia, Val Miftakhov, said Scotland had been chosen for the new facility because of its strong aerospace and engineering skills and "burgeoning" hydrogen sector. "The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation – cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all," he said. "With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation." The environmental credentials of hydrogen depend on how it is produced. "Green hydrogen" produced from wind or solar power is considered environmentally friendly but "grey hydrogen" produced from fossil fuels can lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Scotland is hoping to become a major producer of hydrogen. Glasgow Airport recently hosted a summit on plans for it to become a "hydrogen hub" by 2027 to support zero-emission aviation. ZeroAvia currently employs about 100 people in the UK and 200 at sites in the UK.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Meghalaya pushes for expansion of Baljek Airport
Shillong: The Uttarakhand government has formally requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to take over Baljek Airport —located on the outskirts of Tura, the principal town of West Garo Hills District —on an Operations and Maintenance (O\&M) basis, in a renewed effort to boost air connectivity in western Meghalaya. The Baljek Airport was first conceptualised in the late 1990s as part of the central government's vision to enhance air infrastructure in the North East. (Representational image) The immediate goal is to operationalise the airport for 20-seater aircraft, with a clear roadmap to upgrade it for ATR-72-type aircraft in subsequent phases. To initiate this process, the State has urged AAI to begin the licensing procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Simultaneously, key agreements on Operations and Maintenance ((O\&M)) and Communications, Navigation & Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) are being formalised to ensure readiness for regulated civil aviation operations. Baljek Airport was first conceptualised in the late 1990s as part of the central government's vision to enhance air infrastructure in the North East. The construction began in 2001, and the airport was inaugurated in October 2008. Built at an estimated cost of around ₹ 12.5 crore, the airport was originally designed to handle 20-seater aircraft. However, despite the initial enthusiasm, the airport never became operational due to multiple challenges—primarily the lack of licensing, technical readiness, and adequate infrastructure. The airport has since remained inoperative, despite its strategic importance for the Garo Hills region, which continues to rely on road connectivity and distant airports in neighbouring states. In its latest proposal, the state government has asked AAI to take over Baljek Airport on an 'as is where is' basis and initiate development procedures. AAI has responded positively but requested acquisition of additional land to make the facility fully functional and scalable. In line with DPRs prepared by AAI in 2010 and 2017, the state had earlier acquired 56.5 acres of land. AAI has now proposed a total of 125 acres for Phase-I development, incorporating the already acquired land, and an additional 115 acres for Phase-II to support future expansion—including the possibility of extending the runway, building larger terminal infrastructure, and installing advanced navigation systems. In the immediate term, the plan is to begin operations using 20-seater aircraft such as the Dornier 228, which is commonly used under the Government of India's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional air connectivity scheme. Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the airport will be upgraded to accommodate ATR-72 aircraft, which are preferred for regional routes due to their capacity and efficiency. A communique from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) noted, 'The operationalisation and eventual expansion of Baljek Airport is part of a larger commitment to improve connectivity, promote tourism, and drive economic activity in the Garo Hills.' Beyond civil aviation, Baljek Airport holds critical strategic value. Its proximity to the India-Bangladesh international border positions it as a vital asset in the event of national emergencies or border-related contingencies. As demonstrated in Uttar Pradesh, where the Indian Air Force successfully conducted landing and take-off drills on expressways to test rapid deployment capability, upgraded regional airports like Baljek could serve as alternative runways or forward operating bases for the armed forces. Once the runway and air traffic infrastructure are strengthened, Baljek could be used for emergency military operations, enhancing Meghalaya's and India's preparedness along sensitive frontiers. Baljek's revival holds regional significance as well. It is expected to reduce travel time for residents of Garo Hills, attract investment, and improve the region's integration with the rest of the country. The airport's functioning will also improve medical evacuation capabilities and response times during natural calamities. Despite its non-operational status for commercial flights, Baljek Airport has seen landings by several VVIPs and hosted moments of national and international significance. Former President Pratibha Patil made history by inaugurating the airport on October 22, 2008, becoming the first Head of State to land at Baljek. More recently, President Droupadi Murmu touched down at the airport on January 16, 2024, during her official visit to the region, underlining its continued strategic relevance and potential. The airstrip has also welcomed Indian Air Force aircraft for drills, and hosted concerts by Michael Learns to Rock in 2009, Smokie in 2010, and Venga Boys last year —events that brought global attention to the Garo Hills region and underscored the need for better connectivity and infrastructure. With political will aligning with technical preparedness, and both the State and AAI committed to the airport's development, Baljek is poised for long-overdue take-off. If successful, its revival will mark not only the return of air services to the region but also a critical leap in Meghalaya's strategic, economic, and infrastructural roadmap.
