Rear Adm Philipose George Pynumootil is FONA

“aggressive expansion,” as it plans to induct around 40 aircraft next year, including leasing of around 25 A320 ceo and acquisition of 15 new ATRs. While the plan has been revised from the original target of adding 60 aircraft, it is still higher than the previous year. IndiGo added 24 new aircraft in 2017 and 24 as of date in 2018.

Air Deccan bought by GSEC Aviation

The Ahmedabad-based GSEC Aviation and Monarch Networth Capital have bought over the GR Gopinath-promoted Air Deccan, besides jointly acquiring majority stake in Air Odisha, which is set to launch its services on regional routes. Significantly, GSEC Aviation is owned by relatives of the $11-billion Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. Under the new structure, both the airlines will be owned by a new company called GSEC Monarch Aviation in which Gopinath’s Air Deccan will hold 50 per cent stake while the rest will be held by GSEC Aviation and Monarch Networth.

First Indian woman fighter pilot

Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi has become the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft, this achievement being in February 2018, the officer flying a MiG-21bison of No. 23 Squadron from Jamnagar airbase. Avani is from the first batch of three women officers, also including Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, who were commissioned as fighter pilots in the force in June 2016.

Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil took over as Flag Officer Naval Aviation on 10 February 2018. As a helicopter pilot, he is qualified on the Sea King 42 B/C and Alouette, has commanded INAS 330, the Carrier borne ASW Sea King Squadron and was the commissioning CO of the Naval Air Station, INS Shikra. He has commanded the 1241 RE corvette, INS Nashak, the Missile Corvette INS Kirpan and the Guided Missile Frigate INS Brahmaputra, besides a tenure as Executive Officer of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Delhi. He was Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition and his 6-year tenure saw the induction of 8 Boeing P-8Is, 45 MiG-29Ks and 17 Hawk AJTs, besides the conclusion of crucial contracts including those for four Boeing P- 8Is Option Clause, P- 8I Simulator, 16 ALHs, 12 Dornier 228s, 8 Chetaks, 12 Microlights and 10 Kamov 28 MLUs.

Rear Admiral DS Gujral is ACNS (Communications Space and Net-Centric Operations)

Rear Admiral DS Gujral, has taken over as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Communications Space and Net- Centric Operations) at Integrated Headquarters of MoD ( Navy). He is a communication & electronics warfare specialist; his afloat appointments include that of EXO of INS Nashak and INS Delhi, and Command of INS Nishank, INS Karmuk and INS Trishul. He has held appointments of Directing Staff at Defence Services Staff College Wellington, Officer-inCharge of Signal School, Deputy Director Naval Signals, Director Naval Operations and Principal Director Network & Space Operations.