Our esteemed readers will notice the change in the design and outlook of the magazine from this issue onwards. The objective behind this has been to offer “sharp content for our sharp audience”. We also expect that the new feel of the magazine will prove to be more reader-friendly and eye-soothing.

The month of February this year was indeed a memorable one for the aviation fraternity in India. It was flagged by two major events, the first of which was the ninth edition of the prestigious international air show, Aero India. The five-day aviation related exposition was held in the second week of the month at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The second major event was Exercise Iron-Fist, a one-day event organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the last week of the month at the air-to-ground firing range at Pokhran, near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

Aero India 2013 was a global exposition with participation by nearly 700 domestic and foreign companies connected with the aerospace industry from both the civilian and military domain of the global aerospace industry. Present at the air show were almost all the leading global aerospace majors, showcasing the latest technologies and products on offer seeking to penetrate the lucrative market in India for military aircraft and associated hardware estimated to be in the region of billions of dollars over the next two decades. It is therefore not surprising that despite the fact that several big-ticket purchases have already been made or are about to be finalised, the level of optimism amongst foreign vendors in the aerospace regime was still very high. Likewise, business prospects in the civil aviation sector are also bright. Boeing estimates that over the next two decades, India will buy nearly 1,500 airliners worth around $200 billion. The business jet segment is also hopeful with prospects improving in the wake of a resurgent Indian economy. Business sentiments were clearly visible at Aero India 2013. In this issue there are comprehensive reports on the air show by Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey and R. Chandrakanth.

The second major event was display by the IAF of its awesome firepower and operational capabilities both by day and night. The exercise, appropriately dubbed as Iron Fist, was witnessed by the highest echelons of the national leadership. Air Marshal (Retd) Anil Chopra, Editorial Advisor, SP Guide Publications, was on the scene and has rendered a first-hand report of the event. The Air Marshal has also evaluated the Chinese aerospace industry and has traced its coming of age with the accompanying message for the Indian establishment. In an article on the intermediate jet trainer, he looks at the implications for the IAF of the inordinate delay in delivery of the aircraft and the options before the service to restructure basic flying training to cope with the situation.

On the civil aviation scene, writing from Goa, Joseph Noronha examines the widespread growth of regional aviation globally and observes that the Indian civil aviation industry is still waiting for the revolution that has overtaken the industry in other parts of the world and has the potential to impact the fortunes of the airline industry in India. R. Chandrakanth’s view of the civil aviation industry in India is that it is all set to gather momentum and the government is working at creating ecosystems that will spur its growth. The industry however, needs to push the government for the right policies and at the same time get its act together to remain afloat.

A New Design

Our esteemed readers will notice the change in the design and outlook of the magazine from this issue onwards. The objective behind this has been to offer “sharp content for our sharp audience”. We also expect that the new feel of the magazine will prove to be more reader-friendly and eye-soothing.

We shall await feedback on this effort that reflects our relentless effort to cope with the dynamics of times.