The essence of the very role contributed by business and general aviation is summed in the slogan ‘No Plane No Gain’ propagated by NBAA in the United States. The fact that these subsectors of civil aviation cater not only to the elitist part of society but to the economy of the countries by enabling large corporate houses and start-up companies, aspiring to be the big players in business world, to achieve their business goals and milestones faster.

Keeping up with such level of contribution from this sector, we have included some interesting and informative aspects of business aviation covered in this new issue such as reasons to fly private charters the ownership of the flying machines via various kinds of models. It’s important to note that business aircraft therefore are better interpreted as ‘Business Tools’. The upcoming NBAA 2015 will also have an innovation section showcasing the opportunities in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Back home, we have attempted to look at the Draft National Civil Aviation Policy. Holistic analysis by aviation expert Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) gives a set of quick reaction as to what needs to be there to facilitate the real growth of civil aviation sector in India. The two experts from the GA/BA industry have given their perspectives indicating on what all it does miss out even if it promises to be a dynamic one and seemingly a good start. The most crucial issues the sector has been facing for decades by now have not been covered and catered to. Whether import duties’ rationalisation or the motherly attention to the domestic operators including the chartered services operators (certain points appear to be friendlier to the international charter service operators, though) – the draft does not adequately touch upon these aspects at all.

The issue includes an article on the case for differential pricing at the airports by R. Chandrakanth indicating on how to ensure the realistic growth of regional aviation in India. Also in alignment with the very promising slogan of the government – regional connectivity. On the front of regional aviation again, the E-Jets E2 prototype by Embraer, which has been in news since quite some time, has now been launched by the company which was well received and well attended by various operators based globally. A report on the same has been included indicating as to how Embraer is creating waves in regional aviation market.

The massive victory by Northrop Grumman in the race for the contract worth $80 billion to design, develop and manufacture the next-generation long-range stealth bomber from its homebased customer US Air Force (USAF) has been historic. Induction of the fifth-generation bomber is an urgent requirement of the USAF and would be a strategic investment for national security for decades to come. The implications and aftermath of this historic development within the aerospace and defence sectors have been analysed and covered by our expert Air Marshal Pandey.

The long awaited contract for 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift platforms have finally been signed in September this year. Boeing is highly optimistic about its business prospects in India and is looking forward to even higher levels of engagement with India and especially with the Indian aerospace industry as the company prepares for its centenary celebrations. The perspective by Pratyush Kumar, President of Boeing India, refers to the growing ties between the two nations both in the military and civil aerospace industry and the road map for the future. In fact the strategic partnership between India and the US is expected to enter a new phase with the visit of Manohar Parrikar, the Minister of Defence, to the US in the second week of December this year. In this issue, Ranjeet Kumar has a report on the forthcoming visit. On the military front, the issue also includes an article on the importance of life-cycle cost which must be taken into account at the time of clearing and signing of any future contracts for Indian forces.

All these and much more in this issue of SP’s Aviation which awaits feedback from its valuable readers. Welcome aboard!