Another Air India Fiasco!

It looks like Air India is on one long run or mishaps and bad services. Recently an Air India craft that was flying from Delhi to Mumbai returned back to the airport when it was found that one of the doors of the plane had not been shut properly!

Although it could have been a false alarm but as they say better safe then dead!

Air India Plane cracks a windshield!

An Air India plane recently cracked it windshield when a stone (probably) came hurtling at it at break neck speeds. Apparently the blast from the jet engines of a Jet Airways aircraft that was in front caused the stone to hit the wind shield.

The flight was disrupted.Talk about flying objects!

The rise of the Super Hero passengers!

Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam bound for Detroit was nearly blown up by a Nigerian Terrorist. Apparently he tried to ignite an explosive device using a chemical syringe. After 9/11 the passengers have taken matters in to their own hands. While some people on board the airline overpowered him others doused the fire!

Now that's what I call saving the day! 

Reliving the Darkest Hours!

IC 814 has gone down in history as India's worst hijack. It left many bereaved, many heartbroken, many helpless and even dispelled the hope we have in our government. 10 years down the line a movie by the name of Pavanam (Journey) will be made in Tamil and Telugu,at a budget of Rs 11 crores.

The hijacking of Indian Airlines' IC 814 from Nepal to Kandahar has definitely taught us a few lessons. Hope fully 2010 will a year when flying can become completely hassle free and safe.

We remember all who lost their lives in the tragedy of IC 814.

Single engine Landing!

A Spice Jet aircraft headed to Chennai from Coimbatore almost did not make it when one of the engines failed. Although the pilot expertly landed the plane on a single engine the technical snag could have ended in a disaster for all the 121 passengers on the Boeing 737.

Thank god for expert training!

Medical Tests Mandatory for Crew

The DGCA has just made it mandatory for all crew members to  undergo medical tests. I wonder if this will curb the pilots from taking a tiny sip or two of ...lets just say a spirit enhancing drink! Now i guess flying high will only mean working on the plane!

Crashing Scots!

The largest airline operating from Scotland went bust yesterday. Rumors about the company crashing were afloat for a few days. But yesterday it was confirmed that the company Flyglobespan was operating under heavy losses for the past few years. Since the company went bust yesterday scores of crew members flying around the globe including India.

They do say what goes up must come down, but what a crash! 

Mahindra Flying!

Mahindra & Mahindra known around the country for its sturdy vehicles has begun diversifying. According to the most recent reports M&M just acquired stake in two Australian Aerospace and will soon be manufacturing 2 to 20 seater planes for the Indian market.

Keeping in mind the past history of the company for making sleek and mean road vehicles, we could probably expect a fleet of brutishly powerful and sleek looking planes!

Private Pilot License made Easy!

Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) headquartered in Madhya Pradesh is offering busy Corporate Executives a fantastic option of learning how to fly. According to sources anyone who has a passion for flying can enroll to learn how to fly on a brand new Cessna 172 plane.

The course is customized according to your schedule and is held over the weekends so your work will not be affected! For more information log on to the company website - www.caaindia.com

Fly higher!

Flight of the Hoaxters!

Recently a man from Mumbai received a bill for the purchase of Kingfisher airline flight tickets. The irony was that he did not buy them nor did he intend to fly! Apparently his credit card was stolen and misused to buy tickets for Khan and Sheik families.

At the end the matter was cleared and the card was finally blocked. Lets hope the fraudsters don't get a hold of our cards or we might end up footing a Sky High Bill!

Grounded! Fog disrupts flights!

Why is it that every time the winters come around flights all over India get disrupted. The logic has always been that since winters is around for one or two months training pilots to fly in fog would be a useless process (not to forget expensive!)

Recently 25 flights bound from Kolkat were grounded due to the inability to see. The visibility had fallen to 50 metres. I see the the problem in taking off but here is my question what happens if there is no way around the fog! 

The Boeing Dreamliner still a Dream!

The much awaited Boeing Dreamliner plane has drawn quite a lot of attention from buyers around the world. The plane is apparently constructed out of material that is lighter than aluminum, offers better fuel efficiency and is safer that its predecessors. Already two years behind schedule current reports say that the dreamliner could hit the skies by the 15th of this month.

Lets hope the Dreamliner does not remain a dream any more!

Of Empty Seats and High Flying!

Air India is already facing tremendous pressure for not performing well and has its coffers depleted. Trying to turn its fortunes around, Air India is still trying to get back on its feet.

On November 28, Air India flew a completely empty airline from Mumbai to Riyadh. The 737 Boeing aircraft that has a capacity of 430 passengers flew without a single one!

The Maharaja is bleeding into oblivion! High time to get cracking I presume! Anyone listening?!

Blades of Doom! President's Chopper escapes a Major Mishap!

The President of India, Pratibha Patil was recently on her way to Bhubhaneshwar in an M16 Helicopter along with her security personnel. After landing the Chopper blades hit one of the abandoned asbestos sheds. The blades were damaged in the process. Bad weather as a cause has been ruled out and an inquiry has been placed to understand the reason for this disaster.

The pilot is in for some turbulent times ahead!

Jet Airways makes an Emergency Landing in Tehran!

All 370 passengers on board the Jet Airways flying to London can breathe a sigh of relief when a major mishap was avoided. Bound for London from Mumbai, the Jet Airways Boeing 777 flight made an emergency landing in Tehran (of all places) when its fuel system developed a fault in the mechanism.

Thankfully the a major distater was avereted and all passengers are safe.

The Flying Feet of an 18 year old SHOE Shunning Robber!

Almost a local Celebrity now an 18 year old boy from Seattle has to his credit the robbery of 50 houses in an around the area. He apparently leaves behind his name and photo at the houses he robs. If this was not enough the no shoe wearing lad also stole an aircraft and actually flew it after learning the skills from a flying Video Game!

A Maverick Thief! No wonder he is gaining more attention than our President is!

MDLR the Elusive Bird!

MDLR or Murli Dhan Lakh Ram Airlines owned by Gopal Goyal is evading paying back almost 75 lakh INR to four major Travel companies. The agencies have sought government assistance for getting their money back. Apparently the travel companies had booked tickets worth 75 lakh from MDLR airlines.

MDLR could be flying into trouble if it does not return the money due soon!

Qutub Minar: The mighty giant faces looming Threat!

Probably one of the most well known and recognized monuments in India is in danger due to the the growing air traffic. The increasing number of flights from and to Delhi have had an impact on the 14th century minaret. Historians and concerned citizens have been warning the government for for years that the overhead flights pose great danger to the Qutub Minar.

Of falling towers and crumbling dreams! 

Air India reaching the Heights of Losses!

Air India the national carrier for India has always had it share of challenges. However the negligent attitude of the government along with the poor management has turned this into one of the worst run PSU's in the country. For the past few years Air India has been posting heavy losses.

This year however it has reached a new high in deficits and doubled its losses to 5000 Crore INR!

Wonder if the airline might still be around next year??!!

Falling Oil Prices?!

Yesterday Indian Oil reduced the price of ATF or Aircraft Turbine Fuel by 1.1%. This is good news in times of drastic price rise in every sphere of the economy the world over! I am sure that this would automatically seep down to the ticket prices.

Late, angry and probably Stark Raving Mad!: Man arrested for hoax bomb call on Indigo Plane

An Indigo flight bound for Hyderabad from Delhi was held up after a bomb threat. Apparently a trader bound for the city was late for the flight and hoping to stall the flight he made a phone call to the Indigo call center from a PCO informing about some ammunition on board the flight! He was arrested early Monday morning!

I still think ther has go to to be a better way to catch your plane, probably get up on time. I presume!

Sky High! India's Rising Aviation Market

Taking on all odds, the aviation market in India is on a rise. According the report by the aviation minister of India, Praful Patel the civil aviation sector in India is on the rise. The report further stated that the India has now become the 9th largest aviation market in the world.

About 30 million people travelled to and from India in 2008. The rise could be duie to a number of factors but all said and done, People in India are getting their wings like never before!

Voice from above: Paramont launching Mobile services in planes

South India based airline company is in talks with the authorities to bring about mobile telecommunication services in airplanes. The days of switiching off cell phones during a flight might soon be over.

 Paramount hopes to launch this service in about 2 months. Guess telling your boss your phone was off because yoou were on the flight is out of the window!

The Monk who pulled the Lever!

The wise and the ancient have always sought the inner calm in a place that is free from boundaries and has enough 'breathing room'. A monk takes this practice to the hilt! Recently a 45 year old monk from Myanmar was traveling on an Air India flight that was bound for Yangoon from Kolkata via Gaya. Feeling the effects of closed quarters that spiraled in to claustrophobia, the monk decided to let some air in. Minuted before the aircraft was about to fly he pulled the lever of the emergency exit promptly deploying the emergency chute!

Causing quite a bit of panice the situtation was finally brought under control and the plane departed 7 hours later for its destination!

A lifetime of Memories Weighed down to 450 a KG!

Recently a widowed woman was returning to Ahmadabad on board a Jetlite airplane and on arriving found that the airline had misplaced her suitcase that had memoirs of her marriage. Apart from a few lakh rupees in cash, the bag also had jewelery from her marriage and a few saris.

On confronting the baggage officials of the airline, she was aghast to know that not only were they clueless over the missing bag but they also refused to believe that she had actually misplaced her luggage!

Although after the officials confirmed that the baggage was misplaced they tried to offer her compensation. The compensation was set at 450 INR per Kilogram! A lifetime of memories relegated to a few measly rupees!

I Think its time companies start taking responsibility and act maturely, surely they would not want to go through this ordeal themselves!

When it pours, Delhi reigns: The rise of Air Traffic in Delhi!

The new airport seems to have done some good to the aviation industry. According to industry reports the number of people flying to and from Delhi figure almost quarter of a million more than Mumbai (which was the busiest airport in the country). The rise in  numbers could be due to a number of reasons apart from the great functionality of the new airport and rise of the affluent Indian.

The overall air traffic grew up almost 21% in Delhi! Cheers to a high flying Delhi crowd!

Leaner, Meaner, Fitter and Sharp Suited!

The traditional mascot of Air India (the Maharajah with the red turban) may soon be out of the window and be replaced by a swashbuckling new age mascot who according to some reports may even be wearing a suit!
Trying to re-build its image and getting in tune with the times the new mascot is all set to represent Air India now.

A number of top agencies have all lined up to create theri own version of the AI mascot. Now its just a matter of time before the new mascot is revealed! Hope it does not dissappoint!

Birds of a Feather collide together!

241 birds have led to the loss of 7 crore INR for the Indian Aviation Industry this year! However last year in 2008 there were 277 bird hits that cost the industry more.

To think that the sky was big enough for the birds and the aircrafts as well! I wonder if scattering bird food could help!

Wings not getting clipped after all!

Air India that is experiencing a huge deficit in finances has been cutting back on a number of services, perks and even jobs. Last week according to sources the national carrier of India was all set to do away with the performance linked incentives that all in all cost the company a pretty penny every month. However the latest news that surfaced out of the managing association is that Air India might not be revoking the performance incentives.

I wonder whether is the recent hire of Booz (a firm that would help AI save a whopping 5,000 crore INR!) or its the heavyweights at the receiving end that have gone all out to save their pockets!

Follow this link for more:
http://avindia.blogspot.com/2009/11/air-india-to-continue-with-incentives.html

Airtoon! Deciphering the Code!

Keith Krasnowski brings together comic strips with aviation incidents creating a set of funny strips that will get you to break into a smile!

He creates a bunch of cartoons that take on aviation and almost all its aspects!

http://www.aafo.com/gallery/cartoon/oakland.htm 

The Rising Burden of Fuel on Winged Creatures!

The woes of rising costs don't seem to be going away anytime soon! The rise in international oil prices has automatically translated into the increase in cost of almost everything  else! The tremendous increase in fuel prices has also led to the decision of the PSU companies in India to increase the rates of ATF or Aviation Turbine Fuel by almost 2.4%!

The winged dreams of many first time fliers might never come true if the cost of fuel keeps rising and the salaries don't!

800 crore INR to be Pumped into Air India!

Recession has had a tremendous impact on many industries including aviation which was probably the worst hit of the lot! This shift in the economic power has led to cutbacks, salary cuts as well as grounding of planes and services. Air India the national carrier of India has had it quite tough. whether it was so due to the incompetent management or due to bad decisions is unclear.

what is clear is that Air India is in need to help...and that too quite desperately! Heeding to its call for help the government is planning to inject 800 Crores into the Air India system hoping to bail it out of the crisis.

Lets hope our winged ambassador (The Maharaja) can find new wings to fly!

Giving a dream some direction!

Knowing a dream and following it through are two different aspects. Sometimes just having a passion to fly is not enough. If guided well the dream could turn in to a well rewarding career.

Pilot training demands focus and dedication more than anything else. I am putting a link that will direct you to an informative article on the prerequsites of becoming a pilot!

Follow for more:
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-articles/read.main?id=134

High Flying MDLR Airlines Owner gets a Plum Political Post!

http://avindia.blogspot.com/2009/11/high-flier-airline-owner-lands-home.html

A history that reads like a tale of escapades, Gopal Kanda the owner of MDLR or (Murli Dhan Lakh Ram!) airlines has just bagged the plum post of Haryana Home minister!

With 9 police cases, one FIR and incomplete schooling to his name, Gopal Kanda is now at the brink of of what could be a successful career in Politics. Attending cases in Bhatinda, Gurgaon and Delhi, this high flier has more reasons to fly around then just performing his role as a Home Minister!
 

Cash Based Incentives come Crashing Down!

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Dbased inefault/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=CAP/2009/11/12&PageLabel=17&EntityId=Ar01700&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

The speculation has come true, as Air India does away with Performance based incentives. Trying to curb its operating cost and cutting back on losses, Air India is removing a number of taken for granted privileges that were tied to posts. At a point of time working with Air India the national carrier of India meant stability and assurance of increments, however the shift now due to losses have left most employees with a feeling of constant anxiety.

The performance-linked incentive accounts for 60% to 80% of the total package, given to employees. Scraping this would mean a heavy decrease in the salary for the work force. 

Turbulence in the air!  

Flight Attendant puts plane on fire to get a Break from Working

The Burdens of working have often lead people to come up with excuses to take a break. But coming down with a flu seemed like the best bet! Although there are a few who could go to any extent to take a day off!

Take a 19 year old flight attendant for example. He tried to set the plane on fire in order to divert the plane from its path and get him some rest!

What I don't get is that why was he trying to burn the plane he was traveling on!?!

 Read More at:

http://www.onlinetravelreview.com/2008/05/16/flight-attendant-lights-fire-on-plane-because-he-didnt-want-to-go-to-saskatoon/

The crack of Thunder! The dawn of Super Fast Planes...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-fastest-airplane-in-the-world.htm

If a 100 years ago someone told you that you could cover the distance between New Delhi and London in a matter of hours, you would have probably laughed your head off! What if someone was to tell you today that you could cover the same distance in a matter of minutes!

Imagine reaching a new continent by the time a quarter of a movie gets over! The day and age of Scram jets is here. Launching itself from the drop area of a B-52, the X-43 is an unmanned aircraft that (believe me when i say this!) flies at roughly 11,265 Kmph!!

Now even theories of traveling as fast as light or maybe even faster seem difficult enough but not impossible!

Standing below the crack of thunder, folks a hundred years down would probably marvel how we travelled at a mere 800-1000 Kmph (commercial planes)!

17 year old arrested for hoax mail

In what turned out to be another well lets not say surprising incident as India is slowly becoming a land of the conspiracy theorist, a young teen e-mailed the authorities at Air India, threatening to blow up the plane.

Apparently the young lad was under a lot of pressure from his father to become a doctor and in an act of desperation the 17 year old kid took such a drastic and rather absurd step!

read more at:

http://avindia.blogspot.com/2009/11/teen-prankster-held-for-threat-to.html