Category: Featured

Flight Test Engineer

Anil Goyal

A flight test engineer (FTE) is an engineer involved in the flight testing of prototype aircraft or aircraft systems. He/She has overall responsibility for the planning of a specific flight test phase, which includes preparing the test plans in conjunction with other analytical and/or systems engineers, overseeing the buildup of the aircraft to the proper configuration, working with the flight test instrumentation engineer to ensure the sensors and recording systems are installed for required data parameters, and preparing the manoeuvre-by-manoeuvre plan for each test flight (enshrined typically in a higher-level document called a “test plan” and then an operational document…

Formation Aerobatics Display Team: SKAT

Anil Goyal

Even the winds stop to stare at their daring acts. The formation aerobatic team and their gravity-defying feats at zipping speeds. Loop, barrel rolls, rolls, clovers, roll of top and hard turns every manoeuvre that is hard to fathom is done in perfect precision and position. In this article, we will meet one of the members of this team. I freely admit that learning this stuff is tenuous and demanding – even harder than being married. Two aircraft close formation – which is much easier and simpler would give me…

War is Hell

Anil Goyal

War is intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, aggression, destruction, and mortality, using regular or irregular military forces. Warfare refers to the common activities and characteristics of types of war, or of wars in general. Total war is warfare that is not restricted to purely legitimate military targets and can result in massive civilian or other non-combatant suffering and casualties. While some scholars see war as a universal and ancestral aspect of human nature, others argue it is a result of specific socio-cultural, economic or ecological circumstances. Whatever be your argument, in this post (a short one) we will…

A Day in the Life of a Commercial Pilot

Anil Goyal

For most people around the world, air travel these days is like taking a walk in the park. When people board the aircraft in today’s connected world, the mobile phones, the laptops and the stress of what is to follow at the end of the flight leaves little room for appreciating the beauty of flight itself as they are being transported over thousands of kilometres in a matter of hours. Ever since the Wright Brothers defied gravity in their ‘Wright Flyer’ at Kitty Hawk, advancements in aviation technology have made…

Women Voices in Military Aviation

Anil Goyal

“There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.  Rihanna  It’s not very often one hears about India trailblazing on issues of gender equality. On the contrary, the country regularly makes headlines for all the wrong reasons when it comes to women: high rape statistics, dowry deaths, and pervasive discrimination. The data collated by the International Society of Women Airline Pilots showed that India had the highest proportion of female…

Flight Deck / Cockpit Windshields

Anil Goyal

When you’re in flight-deck, the only thing separating pilots from the minus 56 degrees centigrade and unbreathable, thin air outside is an airplane cockpit windshield. On one side, there’s a warm, pressurized cabin where you can work and on the other, a world that would kill you in minutes if you were exposed to it. Between the two, just incredibly sturdy windshield. There are two primary purposes for the windshields. Number one, protect the crew from the outside harsh environment and number two allow the crew to see outside. Besides…

Air Shows and Display Pilot!

Anil Goyal

An air show is a public event where aircraft are exhibited. They include a static display, aerobatics demonstrations. The event is also simultaneously held as business ventures, and trade events where the aerospace and defense industry is promoted. Flying displays are some of the most popular spectator events in the world. It is estimated that flying displays and similar events attract over 10 million spectators each year. The companies use the display to entice the public and create an opinion. The display pilot plays a very important role where he/she showcases not only the aircraft profile but…

Intrepid Pilot: Test Pilot

Anil Goyal

In the case of pilots, it is a little touch of madness that drives us to go beyond all known bounds. Any search into the unknown is incomparable exploitation of oneself. Jacqueline Auriol Living on the edge, reaching his limit, seeing the world in rare angles and heights is all too often part of the test pilot job. Today we will meet Gp Capt Sharad Aneja (Retd) an intrepid test pilot who will tell us all about this fascinating world. He spent precious 24 years in the IAF, not to…

Attitude Defines Success!

Anil Goyal

 “Learning to fly an airplane taught me a way of thinking, an approach to problem-solving that was applicable and effective. Pilots are very methodical and meticulous, and artists tend not to be.” Chris Carter What makes a  pilot good at what he/she does? Obviously it is not just training.  Becoming a pilot is about more than training and building flying skills. Beyond the technical abilities required to earn their wings, pilots must also develop a balance of leadership skills, discipline, critical thinking skills, and a proper attitude. And while no…

Air India One.

Anil Goyal

Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners or business jets. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the President of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French “Cotam 001” operated by the ETEC 65, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Airforce VIP aircraft, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code…