DGCA plans to open heliport at Hadapsar

Pune: The civil aviation ministry’s gliding centre at Hadapsar is tipped to be the nerve centre for operating the proposed regular helicopter service between Pune and Mumbai.
Right now, the ministry is testing the feasibility of the service that aims to offer an affordable alternative to high-cost airlines operating on short routes. Top officials including Arun Mishra, joint secretary to the ministry, and R.P. Sahi, director of airworthiness at the Director General of Cïvil Aviation (DGCA) office, are to visit the gliding centre on September 4 for a preliminary survey, which includes finalising the option of building a heliport at the centre.
Confirming the visit, gliding centre in-charge Shailesh Charbhe told TOI on Tuesday that the two officials would be accompanied by the representatives of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL), the public-sector undertaking, which is to operate the proposed chopper service.
Manish Rokade, PHHL manager (marketing), said that the company top brass intends to have a look at the location for finalising details.
The gliding centre, which trains youngsters for glider pilot licenses, is the country’s only operational facility of its kind under the DGCA spread over 230 acres of land. A major chunk of this land has remained vacant for years.
03/09/08 Vishwas Kothari/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2008, New Sep 2008