The Wings India 2022 event included exhibition, chalets, CEOs forum, static display, flying display, conferences and awards to offer an all-round glance of the civil aviation industry. The show’s focus was across the wide spectrum of the industry related aspects including policy issues, business aspects, challenges, future possibilities, market scenarios, etc. Even though the number was not large, the exhibitors as part of the exhibition area at the show were from a variety of industry expertise that included aircraft & helicopter manufacturers, aircraft interiors, machinery & equipment companies, airport infrastructure companies, drones, skill development, space industry, airlines, airline services & cargo.

An Intent of Cooperation was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Pawan Hans for purchase or long-term lease for 20 helicopters, 10 each civil variants of ALH Dhruv and Light Utility Helicopters

Some of the exhibitors who participated in the event included Government of Telangana, Government of Haryana, CSIR - National Aerospace Laboratories, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh Airports Development, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Airbus, Embraer, Boeing, GMR Infrastructure Ltd, Pawan Hans Ltd, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Turbo Aviation, etc.

DEALS, AGREEMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Under its research and development initiative, the AAI signed an MoU with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to develop indigenous air traffic management systems (ATMS) with advanced-surface movement guidance and control system (ASMGCS). The aim of ATMS with ASMGCS is to provide the air traffic controller with a complete air traffic picture.
• AAI with Boeing India has developed a comprehensive 10-year modernisation roadmap for Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management. At Wings India 2022, the completion of this project was announced. Both organisations jointly conducted a wide-ranging analysis across operational, environmental, regulatory, technological, safety, and financial factors to develop and present a roadmap that AAI can use as guidance to modernise the national airspace system. AAI and Boeing had signed an MoU in 2019 to jointly develop this robust roadmap for modernising air traffic management in India. Backed by US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), this project involved cooperation from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India, airlines & other airspace stakeholders under the USIndia Aviation Co-operation Program.
• An agreement between Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Scientech Technologies Pvt Ltd was signed for “Technology Transfer on Multicopter Drones” for societal applications like medicine delivery, agriculture, earth surveillance (Octacopter, Hexacopter Quadcopter).
• Pawan Hans Limited (PHL), a PSU under Ministry of Civil Aviation, announced its decision to lease six Sikorsky S-76D helicopters. Besides the helicopters, the Indian PSU is also getting comprehensive value and sustainment packages to support the phasing-in of this new helicopter type into its fleet from Milestone Aviation Group Limited and US based Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. So far out of the six helicopters leased by Pawan Hans Limited, five have already been delivered by the US based company.
• An Intent of Cooperation (IOC) was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Pawan Hans for purchase or long-term lease for 20 helicopters, 10 each civil variants of ALH Dhruv and Light Utility Helicopters.
• FlyBig, the newest scheduled commuter airline of India, signed a letter of intent to acquire up to 10 aircraft of De Havilland Canada Twin Otter Series 400 to serve small and remote regions. FlyBig operates commercial flights to destinations in the North-East, South, and Central under the UDAN Scheme.

DISPLAY

The National Aerospace Laboratories, a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-NAL), and the government’s premier aerospace research and development establishment in the civilian sector, showcased its “solar powered high altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle”, or the ‘High Altitude Performance (HAP) Vehicle’. A functional demonstration of the HAP was also among highlight of the show. The HAP is designed to fly at an altitude of 22 km and for a time span of up to 90 days. The HAP platform offers to be an ideal vehicle as a “pseudo satellite”, with a higher performance, lower launch cost and the added flexibility of being equipped for a re-launch.

Embraer displayed its largest commercial aircraft, the E195-E2 at Wings India 2022 with its captivating stunning ‘TechLion’ livery. The aircraft is the largest member of the new generation E-Jets family, the E-Jets E2, and is designed to seat up to 146 passengers in its signature two by two seating. The Brazilian manufacturer is showcasing its aircraft mainly for the regional connectivity in the country.

Airbus showcased its long-haul aircraft A350 at the static display. The company also displayed a scale model of its single aisle A220 aircraft, purpose-built for the 100-160 seat market. While A350 is a wide-bodied aircraft, A220 is a narrow-bodied one. The European manufacturer strongly pitched their latest aircraft to shape long-range travel in the future.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) highlighted the development of airport infrastructure with world-class facilities, the UDAN (UdeDesh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, and other works done to make the Indian Civil Aviation Industry better and affordable for the people. Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of AAI said, “We are spending almost 25,000 crores in the next three-four years, and we will be upgrading almost more than 40 airports in the next three-four years. Earlier, we used to have 74 operational airports, and now we have 130 with 10 helipads and waterways”.

Rolls-Royce, focused on familiarising customers with its advanced Trent family of engines, including the Trent 700, Trent 1000, Trent 7000 and Trent XWB. The Trent family is among the most successful widebody programme and Trent powered fleets account for over 25 per cent of all engine flying hours on routes to and from India today. All of Rolls-Royce engines are certified to run on a blend of up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Rolls-Royce is committed to making all its engines compatible with 100 per cent SAF by the end of 2023.

National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) had a Demo Flight of NAL-Hansa NG, its two-seater Flying Trainer Aircraft. NAL also showcased it NAL-Octacopter with drone formation show. It also unveiled SARAS-Mk II aircraft mockup and released its brochure.

The show stealers in an otherwise small airshow were the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Sarang team who performed spectacular helicopter aerobatics and skilled maneuvers. This HAL manufactured indigenous helicopter and the team have been drawing attention internationally as well as at home for years.