Last Saturday we got a “heads-up” that Capt. Gopinath’s new cargo airline Deccan 360 had sent one of it freighters to Bangalore for flying practice. At the old HAL airport we caught VT-AIO doing touch and go’s. This plane commenced it’s career as 9V-STE with Singapore Airlines in 1994. In 2005 it was leased to Air India and was re-registered …

It is ironic and symbiotic that today marks a day of giving thanks in two of the largest democracies of the world – India and the United States. In India it is the first anniversary of the dastardly and murderous rampage by Pakistan based, aided, and assisted terrorists, that began one year ago at precisely the time this article is …

The Boeing Company has delivered the first two Project Wedgetail 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at a ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown, the main operating base for the Wedgetail fleet. Boeing image. Click for larger view. Three additional Wedgetail aircraft will be delivered to the RAAF by the end of …

Over the last few years, the incidents of bird strikes have been increasing. In 2006, 167 bird strikes were reported, in 2007 they increased to 217 and in 2008, 304. For 2009, till October, 241 bird strikes have been reported to the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This year till October, 2009, Air India has reported 24 bird …

Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new and completely refurbished 795 sq. mtr. (8,500 sq. ft.) clubhouse at Gatwick airport featuring a luxurious Cowshed Spa. The Cowshed Spa and Internal Rock Garden provide a new focal point for the Clubhouse. With its porcelain slates, natural stone mosaic floors and black glass mosaic tiled walls, the Clubhouse provides passengers a feeling of …

Emirates has unveiled plans to launch direct services between Dubai and Tokyo which will be the 102nd destination for the Dubai based carrier. At present, Emirates operates daily services to Osaka which was launched seven years ago. Starting 28th March 2010, Emirates will fly non-stop to Tokyo five times a week on every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The …

Thanks to a technology based economy (sorry world, but Bangalore is a lot more than just BPO outsourcing), Bangalore has always been a preferred destination for air cargo. Bio-technology, electronics, aviation, pharmaceuticals, high-end precision engineering, floriculture, fresh produce, and the outsourcing industry which buys tons of imported computers, ensure that Bangalore is the leading hub for air cargo in Southern …

Bahrain based Gulf Air had suspended it’s Bahrain Bangalore service in March this year. It resumed the service recently on October 24, and the resumption reached an unhappy situation last night. A driver of Gulf Air’s ground handling agent GlobeGround India drove his step-ladder in to the rear horizontal stabiliser of their Airbus A320-212 registration A9C-EN, damaging and grounding the …

Boeing delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) to Philippine Airlines (PAL) via leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). Aircraft registration RP-C7777. Click on image for high res view. Boeing image. The new airplane is the first 777 to join PAL’s fleet and is one of two leased 777-300ERs the airline will deploy on its international routes. In addition the airline …

Today seems to be a day for Boeing 747 images. Boeing moved the first 747-8 Freighter out of the paint hangar in Everett, USA, sporting a special “light” livery, which is white with blue accents. Click on image for high resolution view. Image courtesy Boeing It features an oversized “8” on the background of the tail as well as “747-8” …

One of the better pictures I have taken. This Saudi Arabian Boeing 747-168 HZ-AID lifts off in the late evening carrying pilgrims for the Haj. Click on the image for a larger view and to see the minute details like the thrust of the jets. As usual comments and feedback is always welcome.

Toulouse, France based Airbus S.A.S. has commenced the Dubai Air Show 2009 with a slew of orders. Ethiopian Airlines has today ordered 12 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, bringing total orders for the A350 XWB family to 505. The airline will operate the A350s from their hub in Addis Ababa on routes to Europe, the US and Asia. Luxury charter company …

For Mashable, the ultimate social media guide, Shashank Nigam the CEO of SimpliFlying.com, an award-winning blog on airline branding prepared a list of 28 Awesome Aviation Pros on Twitter which includes Bangalore Aviation. No one knows Indian aviation better than Devesh Aggarwal. Once a million-miler with Singapore Airlines, he’s now based out of Bangalore and runs the Bangalore Aviation blog. …

Airbus has launched its version of the large wingtip devices called “Sharklet” for the A320 family. These devices are very similar looking to the AVP winglets found on the Boeing 737NG family. Airbus A320 “Sharklets” with CFM engines Offered as a forward-fit option, Sharklets are specially designed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family of aircraft …

Following recent successful development testing, “Brake-To-Vacate” (BTV) and “Runway Overrun Warning and Prevention” (ROW/ROP) have both been approved and certified for the Airbus A380 by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). BTV is an Airbus innovation in pilot aid to ease airport congestion and improve runway turnaround time, and ROW/ROP addresses runway excursion risk at landing. Both BTV and ROW/ROP …

New Delhi is famous for it’s winter fog which wreaks havoc on all transport especially air travel. To minimize inconvenience to passengers and ensure continuity of operations during poor visibility conditions at IGI Airport, Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) has initiated several proactive measures. City Side At the domestic airport, the traffic circulation plan has been modified as a …

The uber-cheap Ryanair has some great assets — it’s sexy sexy cabin crew. Over 800 of the airline’s 4000 cabin crew volunteered to strip off their uniforms and bare for the 2010 Ryanair Cabin Crew Charity Calendar. The airline launched its Charity Calendar which it hopes will raise €110,000 for the UK charity “KIDS” which provides support to disabled children …

Late yesterday, Boeing towed the first 747-8 Freighter out of the factory in Everett, Washington state, USA. The airplane, ultimately destined for Cargolux, will be painted and begin preparations for flight test. The 747-8 Freighter is latest avatar of the venerable 747 Jumbo Jet. It is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches …

Jet Airways has announced that it will launch a daily flight between Mumbai and the Nepali capital Kathmandu from December 2, 2009. The airline currently operates six days a week flights between New Delhi and Kathmandu which will be enhanced to a daily from November 17, 2009. The Mumbai-Kathmandu service will be operated by the Boeing 737 aircraft. Flight 9W …

I read the following press report and just shook my head. Forget a pinch of salt, there isn’t enough salt on god’s green earth to make this statement fly. The government would infuse additional equity into ailing Air India provided it saves at least Rs 2,000 crore ($417 million) this financial year by implementing cost-cutting measures, Civil Aviation Minister Praful …