Deccan Herald(27-06-2006)
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun272006/city2042262006626.asp
Upkeep, upgrades to turnaround aircraft costs
Bangalore: Upgrading both military and transport aircraft for an extended
life is crucial, taking into account the cost factor, said Air Marshal K
S Chaturvedi, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, here
on Monday.
Speaking after inaugurating an international seminar on fatigue, fracture
and durability and symposium on residual life assessment and extension of
aging structures (military airplanes), at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
Air Marshal Chaturvedi said, looking at the cost factor, maintenance and
upgradation of aircraft is the order of the day.
Studying fatigue, fracture and durability is very critical as these are the
very same factors which govern failures of structures of an aircraft. Correction
methods for stress and corrosion gives an extended life to an aircraft, he
said.
Air Marshal Gokhale, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, said
that newer helicopters and fighter aircraft should incorporate post-flight
recording systems which would give readings for fatigue factors that work
on an aircraft during flight so that the aircraft does not give up suddenly.
The MIG, Jaguar and other aircraft have worked beyond their expected life
span.
Constant upgrades have further extended their life span, he noted. This could
be done only by adopting scientific study of fatigue, fracture and durability
of structures, he said.
A R Upadhya, Director of NAL, and Rear Admiral K C Shekar, Assistant Chief
of Materials (D and R), Naval Headquarters, also spoke on the occasion.