The Indian government has finally realised that there are many latent opportunities that lie in the growing aviation sector in the country. However, the realisation of this vision is only possible through a well-articulated and coordinated roadmap for the development of the Indian aviation sector that is laid out by the government. Vision 2040 for the Indian aviation sector will improve the technical knowledge threshold of the nation and provide employment opportunities to both technical and non-technical personnel. It will also spread economic prosperity in India’s hinterland and spur industrial growth leading to a brighter future for the nation. A report by Isha Jaiswal on the potential of the Indian civil aviation sector has been included in this issue of the magazine.

While the global airline industry went through a period of distress, the situation was somewhat different for the business aviation segment of the global civil aviation industry. As per a report by WingX Advance, a global data management and analysis company, the business aviation segment of the civil aviation industry flourished in 2021, with a very strong rebound. Business jets flew more sectors worldwide in 2021 than in any previous year on record. This issue of the magazine carries an in depth report by Ayushee Chaudhary on the impressive performance of the business aviation segment when the other segments of the civil aviation industry were doddering on the brink of uncertainty and even disaster.

When the world was grappling with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic that had a paralytic effect for the economy across the world, it was the air cargo segment of the civil aviation industry that came to the fore to provide the badly needed medical and other supplies across the world. Several commercial airlines also reconfigured their passenger airliners to be used for airlifting of cargo by way of medical supplies and other relief material. To cater for the explosive growth in demand for air transport of cargo, Embraer took the initiative to convert pre-owned E190s and E195s passenger jets to air freighters and renamed these as the E190F and E195F.This issue of the magazine carries a report by Ayushee Chaudhary on this unique initiative by the original equipment manufacturer Embraer to provide significant boost to air transportation capability that was badly required particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic that had gripped the world.

To commemorate the 75th year of independence of the nation, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has plans to launch a constellation of as many as 75 nano satellites each weighing under 10 kg. These satellites will be launched on board its rockets in the period August 15, 2022 to the year 2023. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries a detailed report by Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) on this unique venture by ISRO.

The biennial Wings India 2022 show is back and is being held from March 24-27, 2022 at Hyderabad, India. As usual we have our presence at the show so if you are around, do meet us at Hall-B, Stall No. 32.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. We welcome you on board and wish you many happy landings!

Jai Hind!