Ram Mohan Naidu Archives - Aviation Today

India Reviews Sustainable Aviation Fuel Readiness As Draft SAF Policy Nears Finalisation

Aviation Today News Desk / August 2, 2026

New Delhi, India: As India prepares for the mandatory implementation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and […]

Flight School

India’s 2026 FTO Rankings Mark First Category A Entry; 11 Improve, 7 Decline

Aviation Today News Desk / April 24, 2026

New Delhi, India: In a significant move to overhaul India’s pilot training infrastructure, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) systems across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. This action comes after an incident in which the RAT deployed automatically on one of the airline’s aircraft during landing in Birmingham, UK. Boeing has also requested that other 787 operators report any similar occurrences worldwide. The DGCA has specifically instructed Air India to verify the stowage integrity of the RAT in all aircraft where the Power Conditioning Module (PCM) was recently replaced. The Ram Air Turbine serves as an emergency backup system, providing hydraulic and electrical power if the aircraft’s main engines fail. It operates by using the aircraft’s forward motion to spin a small turbine that extends from the fuselage underside. This ensures critical flight control systems and avionics remain operational during emergencies, such as dual-engine failures or complete electrical system loss. Notably, the RAT deployed during the June 2025 crash of Air India flight AI171 after a dual-engine flameout at Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 260 lives. The recent directive stems from an October 4, 2025, incident involving Air India flight AI117, flying from Amritsar (ATQ) to Birmingham (BHX), where the RAT deployed automatically at around 500 feet during descent. The aircraft landed safely, with all electrical and hydraulic systems reportedly functioning normally. According to the DGCA advisory, “Air India has been advised to review the work package of ‘D’ Check for the actions required in view of the change of PCM module, for any discrepancies.” The regulator noted that the RAT is rarely activated during routine operations and is typically reserved for critical failures, making any uncommanded deployment a serious concern. Air India confirmed that despite the unexpected RAT deployment, all onboard systems were stable throughout the flight. Following the incident, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) requested the DGCA to inspect the electrical systems on all Boeing 787s operating in India. In a letter, FIP President GS Randhawa highlighted that the Aircraft Health Monitoring (AHM) system had detected a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU), which could have triggered the RAT deployment. The BPCU is essential for managing electrical power distribution, and any malfunction may activate backup systems. FIP emphasized that this incident points to potential systemic electrical vulnerabilities in the Boeing 787 and called for thorough inspections of all aircraft in the country. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated, “The DGCA is already on the job. Once we have more details, we will coordinate with the relevant stakeholders to ensure preventive measures are implemented and such incidents are avoided in the future.” The DGCA has extended its review beyond Air India, requesting Boeing to provide a detailed report on preventive measures and to share information on similar uncommanded RAT deployments globally in recent years. This aims to identify any recurring patterns and enhance the safety protocols of the 787 fleet.

Airlines

DGCA Orders Air India To Reinspect RAT Systems On All 787s After Uncommanded Deploy

Aviation Today News Desk / October 17, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to carry out a comprehensive inspection

New Delhi, India: The 56th GST Council has approved major reforms to India’s indirect tax regime, introducing a uniform 5% GST rate on all drones and granting a full GST exemption on flight simulators and motion simulators. The Civil Aviation Ministry called the decision a strategic, principled and citizen-centric evolution of India’s landmark tax framework, aimed at supporting the country’s rapidly growing drone ecosystem and strengthening the aviation training sector. Under the previous structure, drones with integrated cameras attracted 18% GST, while drones classified for personal use were taxed at 28%. The newly rationalized regime applies a flat 5% GST to all drones, irrespective of whether a camera is integrated or separate, and regardless of commercial or personal use. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu hailed the decision, saying, “The GST rate rationalization with a simplified two-slab structure of 5% and 18% is the biggest reform in India’s indirect taxation ever. Under the strong leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are charting the path towards our goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 with Atmanirbhar Bharat as its foundation. The sweeping rate reductions across sectors will strengthen ease of living, ease of compliance and ease of doing business in the country. It is going to be a big boon for the consumers and at the same time a big boost for the Indian manufacturers. This significant measure will also enable India to emerge as a leader in transformative technologies like drones. A uniform 5% GST will now apply on all drones, providing significant policy certainty and eliminating classification disputes. Furthermore, flight simulators and motion simulators which are critical for pilot training have also been exempted from GST. I believe it will encourage the training ecosystem in the country, helping airlines and academies reduce expenditure on training equipment.” According to the ministry, the reforms will provide greater clarity for manufacturers and lower costs for users, boosting drone adoption in agriculture, petroleum, mining, infrastructure, logistics, and defense. Affordable drones and reduced training costs are also expected to advance Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals, while creating employment opportunities in manufacturing, assembly, software development, data analytics, and field operations. Officials said the revised rates will make GST more growth-oriented for aviation and emerging technologies like UAVs, recognizing drones as both an economic opportunity and a strategic necessity for India.

Pilot Training

Pilot Training May Get Cheaper as Flight and Motion Simulators Gain Tax Exemption

Aviation Today News Desk / September 10, 2025

New Delhi, India: The 56th GST Council has approved major reforms to India’s indirect tax regime, introducing a uniform 5%

Seaplane

India to Revive Seaplane Services with Fresh Routes and Relaxed Norms from October

Aviation Today News Desk / September 2, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s Civil Aviation Ministry now plans to relaunch seaplane operations across at least two domestic routes by

The Indian government is exploring the establishment of specialized airports for cargo operations and Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) | Aviation Today

Pilot Training

India to Build Dedicated Airports for Pilot Training & Cargo, Eyes 30,000 Pilots

Aviation Today News Desk / March 13, 2025

New Delhi: The Indian government is exploring the establishment of specialized airports for cargo operations and Flying Training Organizations (FTOs)

Prayagraj: Civil Aviation Minister Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu, along with Secretary Sh. V. Vualnam, DGCA DG Sh. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, and senior officials, met with airline representatives today to review air connectivity to Prayagraj for the once-in-144-years Maha Kumbh Mahotsav. The meeting emphasized ensuring sufficient flights while maintaining reasonable fares for millions of devotees traveling to the world’s largest religious gathering from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Under the Minister's guidance, regular coordination meetings have been held to facilitate seamless travel | Aviation Today

DGCA, MoCA

Flight Fares to Prayagraj Surge to ₹70,000 amid Maha Kumbh Mela: DGCA Intervenes

Aviation Today News Desk / January 29, 2025

Picture credits: Ministry of Civil Aviation Prayagraj: Civil Aviation Minister Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu, along with Secretary Sh. V. Vualnam,

India

India Aims to Build 50 Airports and Make Delhi a Global Aviation Hub by 2027: Announces Civil Aviation Minister

Aviation Today News Desk / January 27, 2025

Image credit: ANI Switzerland: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced plans to develop 50 new airports across India

Ram Mohan Naidu

India Reviews Sustainable Aviation Fuel Readiness As Draft SAF Policy Nears Finalisation

India’s 2026 FTO Rankings Mark First Category A Entry; 11 Improve, 7 Decline

DGCA Orders Air India To Reinspect RAT Systems On All 787s After Uncommanded Deploy

Pilot Training May Get Cheaper as Flight and Motion Simulators Gain Tax Exemption

India to Build Dedicated Airports for Pilot Training & Cargo, Eyes 30,000 Pilots

Flight Fares to Prayagraj Surge to ₹70,000 amid Maha Kumbh Mela: DGCA Intervenes

India Aims to Build 50 Airports and Make Delhi a Global Aviation Hub by 2027: Announces Civil Aviation Minister

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