A major event in the recent past in the global aerospace industry has been the acquisition of Rockwell Collins by UTC Aerospace Systems to form a new entity called Collins Aerospace Systems. This new company will combine the strengths of two giants in the US aerospace industry with unmatched expertise in developing electrical, mechanical and software solutions. A report on this event of significance has been included in this issue of the magazine.

In the middle of November this year, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the GSLV Mk III-D2, their most powerful space vehicle carrying the 3,423 kg GSAT-29 satellite and inserting it into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The success of this mission flagged an important milestone in the Indian space programme towards achieving self-reliance in launching heavy satellites. A report on this achievement by ISRO is included in this issue of the magazine.

On the civil aviation front, one issue that has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the recent past is the proposal to allow aircraft management companies to take over the management of business aircraft that are operated for private use or by charter companies for public use. This practice is prevalent worldwide, but is yet to be introduced in India. In this issue of SP’s Aviation, there is a detailed analysis of the various aspects of this novel idea by Sudhir S. Rajeshirke, Vice President, Sales, at Arrow Aircraft.

With several countries in the Middle East that are endowed with economic prosperity, the conditions in the region are favourable for healthy growth of the civil aviation industry including the business aviation segment. However, the positive signs notwithstanding, there are a number of impediments to the sustained high rate of growth of business aviation segment in the region. These are increasing congestion at airports and in the airspace as the major airlines expand their operations. Thus if the civil aviation industry in the Middle East is to maintain a respectable growth trajectory and reach its full potential in the future, it will have to find solutions to the problems that are proving to be impediments. A detailed report on the state of business aviation in the Middle East region by Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) has been included in this issue of the magazine.

In order to cope with the ever-increasing and daunting security challenges in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy has plans to build a truly blue water force. In the pursuit of this objective, the Indian Navy is embarked on a drive for the modernisation of its Fleet Air Arm through the induction of new platforms to substantially enhance its operational potential. Also, the operational preparedness and coastal security mechanism of the Indian Coast Guard was reviewed by Defence Minister and she stressed on its modernisation by 2022 through the Definitive Action Programme of the Ministry of Defence. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries comprehensive reports on these subjects by Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd).

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. Welcome aboard and wish you happy landings!

Jai Hind!