sudhir007
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It (IJT programme) is Already Eight Years Behind Schedule. We Are Hoping That IOC Will be Obtained by End of This Year as by 2015 Our Kiran Assets Will Start Dwindling
Please provide an update on the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II and the training being undertaken.
It is a beautiful aircraft and we are happy to have got this machine. The way our instructors and trainees have taken to the aircraft is something to be appreciated. The sustainability of the aircraft on the flight line and maintainability has been very good, we just need one man to perform the daily inspections, turn around the aircraft and receive the aircraft which is very convenient. The time period between servicing is also very large and the workload on the technicians and engineering faculty is reduced. The response that we have been getting from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is excellent, it is, after all, a new machine and there would be teething problems. However, when anything goes wrong they act in quick order and have been professionally sound in accepting responsibility, in case there is an issue from their side. As a result we have been able to maintain a very high availability rate on the aircraft and this is very encouraging. The Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MTOT) is supposed to be signed by HAL and that process is on. Presently, all servicing is handled by the IAF along with assistance from the OEM. The IAF is looking at flying 40 hours per month per aircraft. At present we have 26 aircraft and the ultimate goal is for 75 aircraft (expected by August next year), so we would be able to stagger the flying hours.
Please provide an update on the Hawk fleet and delivery schedules.
All the Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) from the original contract are with us now. From the additional order of 40 Hawks, HAL has delivered five aircrafts which are stationed at Aircraft System and Testing Establishment (ASTE). Seven more are scheduled to be delivered by March this year and 40 aircraft are due to be available with the IAF by March 2017. We intend to acquire another 20 Hawks for the aerobatic display team. The Hawk has a good radius of action. Simulators for the Hawk are in place and those for the Pilatus should be in place soon.
What is the status of the Kiran fleet?
The Kiran is a beautiful machine and even the present Chief of Air Staff flew the Kiran as a trainee. It has now been flying for a long time and it has given us good service. Now, there is a need to change as they are approaching their Total Technical Life Extension (TTLE) of 750 hours. The fleet consists largely of Mk1s. The Kiran Mk2 is used for flying training at the Qualified Flying Instructor’s Course (QFIC) at Flying Instructor’s School (FIS), Tambaram. Availability of spares for the Orpheus engine used on the Kiran Mk2 has been an area of concern in the recent past. Beyond 2015, it will be difficult to sustain the Kiran fleet.
Please comment on the status of the IJT programme.
It is already eight years behind schedule. We are hoping that IOC will be obtained by end of this year as by 2015 our Kiran assets will start dwindling. We are lucky that the Pilatus delivery is ahead of schedule, so some of the load of the Kirans will be taken by the Pilatus at Tambaram. That will give us some respite. However, by 2015 we need to have a replacement for the Kiran, so either the IJT comes up or we approach the government for an alternative. There are issues related to the stall and spin characteristics that need to be resolved; HAL is trying to resolve this. Once this is done, hopefully the progress will be much faster.
Please provide an update on the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II and the training being undertaken.
It is a beautiful aircraft and we are happy to have got this machine. The way our instructors and trainees have taken to the aircraft is something to be appreciated. The sustainability of the aircraft on the flight line and maintainability has been very good, we just need one man to perform the daily inspections, turn around the aircraft and receive the aircraft which is very convenient. The time period between servicing is also very large and the workload on the technicians and engineering faculty is reduced. The response that we have been getting from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is excellent, it is, after all, a new machine and there would be teething problems. However, when anything goes wrong they act in quick order and have been professionally sound in accepting responsibility, in case there is an issue from their side. As a result we have been able to maintain a very high availability rate on the aircraft and this is very encouraging. The Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MTOT) is supposed to be signed by HAL and that process is on. Presently, all servicing is handled by the IAF along with assistance from the OEM. The IAF is looking at flying 40 hours per month per aircraft. At present we have 26 aircraft and the ultimate goal is for 75 aircraft (expected by August next year), so we would be able to stagger the flying hours.
Please provide an update on the Hawk fleet and delivery schedules.
All the Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) from the original contract are with us now. From the additional order of 40 Hawks, HAL has delivered five aircrafts which are stationed at Aircraft System and Testing Establishment (ASTE). Seven more are scheduled to be delivered by March this year and 40 aircraft are due to be available with the IAF by March 2017. We intend to acquire another 20 Hawks for the aerobatic display team. The Hawk has a good radius of action. Simulators for the Hawk are in place and those for the Pilatus should be in place soon.
What is the status of the Kiran fleet?
The Kiran is a beautiful machine and even the present Chief of Air Staff flew the Kiran as a trainee. It has now been flying for a long time and it has given us good service. Now, there is a need to change as they are approaching their Total Technical Life Extension (TTLE) of 750 hours. The fleet consists largely of Mk1s. The Kiran Mk2 is used for flying training at the Qualified Flying Instructor’s Course (QFIC) at Flying Instructor’s School (FIS), Tambaram. Availability of spares for the Orpheus engine used on the Kiran Mk2 has been an area of concern in the recent past. Beyond 2015, it will be difficult to sustain the Kiran fleet.
Please comment on the status of the IJT programme.
It is already eight years behind schedule. We are hoping that IOC will be obtained by end of this year as by 2015 our Kiran assets will start dwindling. We are lucky that the Pilatus delivery is ahead of schedule, so some of the load of the Kirans will be taken by the Pilatus at Tambaram. That will give us some respite. However, by 2015 we need to have a replacement for the Kiran, so either the IJT comes up or we approach the government for an alternative. There are issues related to the stall and spin characteristics that need to be resolved; HAL is trying to resolve this. Once this is done, hopefully the progress will be much faster.
