“India’s Time to Fly” : Boeing Chairman
Airbus BizLab expands to Bangalore
Airbus has inaugurated a BizLab in Bangalore, its third after similar facilities in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany, as part of a strategy to establish a global network of aerospace business accelerators. In parallel, Airbus has opened a first round of applications for start-ups seeking support in the region. Applications are open until 9 December 2015 and can be accessed from the Airbus BizLab website. A screening committee, which includes Airbus’s Chief Innovation Officer Yann Barbaux and the Head of the Airbus BizLabs, Bruno Gutierres, will select the most promising ideas.
Airbus BizLab in India will be co-located with NUMA, France’s biggest business accelerator and one of the most active in Europe. Both will create strong synergies between their accelerators, from start-up selection to specific events to benefit from their respective ecosystem (mentors, experts, investors).
Tata delivers Cobham 908E refueling pod structures CAE A320 full-flight simulator for Air India
Air India has ordered an A320 full-flight simulator from CAE, the 7000XR Series full-flight simulator being equipped with the latest CAE Tropos 6000XR innovative visual systems. The CAE 7000XR FFS will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016 at the airline’s Central Training Establishment (CTE) in Hyderabad. Air India ordered its first simulator from CAE in 1971. “We are pleased to be ordering a third full-flight simulator from our long-standing training partner CAE. The state-of-the-art all-electric motion system provides more accurate and authentic cues for pilot training”, said AS Soman, Air India’s Executive Director. “By adding this new generation simulator, Air India will now be able to put on fast track the comprehensive training provided to its pilots with the latest technology.”
Speaking at the inauguration of ‘ India’s Time to Fly,’ an aerospace innovation summit in New Delhi on 16 October, Boeing Chairman Jim McNerney said India is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolution of the global aerospace and defence industry. “We live in a world that’s demanding more for less. Companies like Boeing are always on the lookout for the competitive advantages that come with innovative new technologies and long- term partnerships. India, with its broad, deep engineering capability and skilled workforce, is a natural partner that offers us the long- term opportunities that can differentiate us in the marketplace and bring mutual success to the company and the country,” he said.
Boeing organised the summit in collaboration with IITBombay as part of Boeing’s centennial celebration. Participants included government officials, industry leaders, and academia and research institutions. It showcased the ideas and innovations “that are changing the industry and the people in the Indian aerospace industry who are creating them.”
Global Vectra Smart PBH for H130
Global Vectra Helicorp ( GVHL), India’s largest private helicopter company, which inducted the first Airbus H130 light helicopter in India ( see Vayu II/2015), signed a ‘Power By the Hour’ (PBH) contract with Airbus for its sole H130. Airbus Helicopters’ redefined customer service offer, called HCare, was introduced early this year and has been developed with consideration of the support required by operators of light helicopters.
Thales partnership with IndiGo
Indian low- cost carrier IndiGo has extended its long- term maintenance agreement with Thales for its growing fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. The contract will cover avionics maintenance for a fleet of up to 250 aircraft, including the A320neo, first deliveries of which will begin in late 2015.
Thales has been a partner to IndiGo since the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 2006. Through this agreement Thales provides spares availability and replenishment to IndiGo with stocks located onsite at their main hub in New Delhi, the airline’s main base. Thales also offers IndiGo direct access to a pool of spare parts located in Thales’ Asia-Pacific repair hub in Singapore.