Cleared To Approach: The Aviation Blog

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL / VILH) in Leh is one of the most challenging airports for pilots to operate in, due to its high-altitude location surrounding Himalayan terrain, limited approach paths, weather, and qualification requirements that leave virtually no margin for error. Overview: The airport is located at an elevation of 3,256m above sea level. It is a dual-use facility, military operated by the Indian Air Force, and civil aviation managed by the Airports Authority of India. The runway orientation is 07/25. Arrivals are generally on Runway 07 while departures are from 25, due to terrain and winds. Difficulty of Landing at IXL: Reduced air density at heights leads to poorer aircraft performance, including longer takeoffs, reduced climb, and less engine thrust. Due to the Himalayas, there are significant terrain constraints.  The airport is surrounded by high mountains and valleys, limiting approach paths and aircraft maneuvering. Mountain weather can change within ...

  India's Need for New Pilots: With ∼1700 planes on order in India, the country will need 30,000 additional pilots, said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday, 15 November. He explained how for every aircraft, you need 10 pilots per aircraft due to scheduling.  Currently, India has about 8000 pilots for 834 aircraft. MSFS For Flight Training: Boeing is set to use Microsoft Flight Simulator to train new pilots. Note that this will not replace their full-motion simulators but rather supplement them with training for procedures- which don't require accurate physics.

  National Aviation Safety Centre: On Tuesday, a senior government official said that India is to set up a National Aviation Safety Centre based on global best practices to train auditors, accident investigators, and industry professionals. This comes after the fatal AI171 crash in June. The centre aims to improve human capital in the industry.  Air India Pilots Suspended: 2 Air India pilots were suspended earlier this week due to flying with 'license discrepancies', The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the lapses and has requested a detailed report from Air India. US Government Shutdown Affects Aviation: JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, is holding a roundtable with industry leaders due to the government shutdown, according to a White House official. Unions are calling for lawmakers to pass a clean resolution, as Air Traffic Controllers have officially missed their first paycheck.