Latest news with #DassaultFalcon2000
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pilots grounded after Rajasthan CM's aircraft mistakenly lands at Phalodi Civil airstrip, DGCA to conduct probe
On 31 July, a Dassault Falcon 2000 charter aircraft carrying Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma from Delhi mistakenly landed at a civil airstrip in Phalodi, instead of the Indian Air Force (IAF) station designated as the scheduled landing point. The jet touched down at the civil facility around 3 pm, but the pilots quickly realised their error. They took off again and landed the aircraft safely at the IAF base, located roughly 5 kilometres away. The Chief Minister disembarked as planned and, after a brief stay, continued on to Jaipur later that evening. The aircraft returned to Delhi the same night. 'The CM flew from Delhi to Phalodi on July 31 at 3 pm. The aircraft landed at the civil airstrip in Phalodi. The pilots immediately took off from the wrong airstrip and then landed at the Phalodi IAF station, which was the scheduled airport for it and about 5 km away from the former. The CM alighted there and a couple of hours later flew the aircraft to Jaipur. The Falcon 2000 then flew back to Delhi the same night,' an official told the Times of India. Investigation ordered, pilots grounded The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal probe into the incident. Both pilots have been taken off flying duty while the investigation is underway. The operator of the aircraft submitted a voluntary report to the aviation regulator shortly after the mislanding . According to officials quoted in the Times of India, the crew may have failed to distinguish between two nearly identical runways. 'Both the runways have similar orientation and visual characteristics. The flight crew misidentified the intended runway during approach. Seemingly there was inadequate pre-flight briefing about the presence of two airfields in close vicinity. Pilots must get proper pre-flight briefing and that is something operators need to work on to ensure such things don't happen,' a source told the paper. Live Events Shared geography, close confusion The civil and military airstrips in Phalodi are located just 5 kilometres apart. Their physical alignment, runway layout, and surrounding terrain are notably similar. This makes precise visual identification difficult unless pilots are well-briefed before approach. The Falcon 2000, a French-built business jet that can carry 8 to 10 passengers, was operating well within its range and flight plan. But the unplanned landing has raised a fresh set of questions around operational oversight and situational awareness. Had the roles been reversed — with an aircraft accidentally entering restricted military airspace instead — the outcome could have been far more serious. As one official explained, 'The civil airstrip may not support the aircraft's weight category, compromising landing safety. Also, military-civil coordination may be lacking during such mis-landings, increasing response time for corrective action.' Phalodi is not just a stop on the map. Known as the "Salt City" for its proximity to the salt-producing region of Rin, it lies in the buffer zone of the Thar Desert and is strategically located near Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. It's home to both civilian and military aviation infrastructure, making coordination between both critical. The incident highlights a need for clearer communication between flight operators and regulatory bodies, especially when operating near sensitive zones or regions with overlapping facilities. For now, the pilots are grounded, the DGCA is reviewing the chain of events, and the charter company will likely face closer scrutiny. As the probe continues, aviation experts say the case underscores a broader issue in domestic charter operations: the need for sharper planning, clearer protocols, and more consistent pilot briefing.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Charter aircraft carrying Raj CM lands at wrong airstrip in Phalodi
New Delhi: A charter aircraft flying CM Bhajan Lal Sharma from Delhi to Phalodi last Thursday, July 31, landed on a "wrong" airstrip at its destination. While the Falcon 2000 was to land at Phalodi Air Force Station, it landed at a civil airstrip in the city. Sources say the pilots realised their mistake and then took off from the civil airstrip to land the jet at the IAF station. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing this case and has taken the pilots off flying duty pending investigation. "The CM flew from Delhi to Phalodi on July 31 at 3 pm. The aircraft landed at the civil airstrip in Phalodi. The pilots immediately took off from the wrong airstrip and then landed at the Phalodi IAF station, which was the scheduled airport for it and about 5 km away from the former. The CM alighted there and a couple of hours later flew in the aircraft to Jaipur. The Falcon 2000 then flew back to Delhi the same night, said people in the know. The charter company filed a voluntary report on the "wrong airport landing incident" with the DGCA. The civil airstrip and the IAF station in Phalodi are about 5 km apart, and both facilities have similar geographical positioning. "Both the runways have similar orientation and visual characteristics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo The flight crew misidentified the intended runway during approach. Seemingly, there was inadequate pre-flight briefing about the presence of two airfields in close vicinity. Pilots must get proper pre-flight briefing, and that is something operators need to work on to ensure such things don't happen," said a source. The Dassault Falcon 2000 is a French business jet that can carry 8-10 passengers with a range of up to 6,000 km. This case has raised concern as an aircraft supposed to land at the civil airstrip by mistake entering the restricted military airspace could have legal and safety consequences. Also, military-civil coordination may be lacking during such mis-landings, increasing response time for corrective action, sources add. The headquarters for the eponymous district, Phalodi, is also called the "salt city" due to the salt industry in Rin. Phalodi is in the buffer zone of Thar Desert, close to Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Charter plane with Rajasthan CM on board lands at wrong runway in Phalodi
Representative picture (Source: Dassault Falcon) NEW DELHI: A charter aircraft flying Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma from Delhi to Phalodi on last Thursday (July 31) landed on a 'wrong' airstrip at its destination. While the Falcon 2000 was to land at Phalodi Air Force Station, it landed at a civil airstrip of the city. Sources say the pilots realised their mistake and then took off from the civil airstrip to land the jet at the IAF station. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing this case and has taken the pilots off flying duty pending investigation. 'The CM flew from Delhi to Phalodi on July 31 at 3 pm. The aircraft landed at the civil airstrip in Phalodi. The pilots immediately took off from the wrong airstrip and then landed at the Phalodi IAF station, which was the scheduled airport for it and about 5 km away from the former. The CM alighted there and a couple of hours later flew the aircraft to Jaipur. The Falcon 2000 then flew back to Delhi the same night,' said people in the know. The charter company filed a voluntary report on the 'wrong airport landing incident' with the DGCA. The civil airstrip and the IAF station in Phalodi are about 5 km apart and both the facilities have similar geographical positioning. 'Both the runways have similar orientation and visual characteristics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Estimated Cost of a 1-day Gutter Guards Installation HomeBuddy Click Here Undo The flight crew misidentified the intended runway during approach. Seemingly there was inadequate pre-flight briefing about the presence of two airfields in close vicinity. Pilots must get proper pre-flight briefing and that is something operators need to work on to ensure such things don't happen,' say sources. The Dassault Falcon 2000 is a French business jet that can carry 8-10 passengers with a range of upto 6,000 km. This case has raised concern as an aircraft supposed to land at the civil airstrip by mistake entering the restricted military airspace could have legal and safety consequences. 'The civil airstrip may not support the aircraft's weight category, compromising landing safety. Also, military-civil coordination may be lacking during such mis-landings, increasing response time for corrective action,' they add. The headquarters for the eponymous district, Phalodi is also called the 'salt city' due to the salt industry in Rin. Phalodi is in the buffer zone of Thar Desert and close to Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Reliance Infra partners Dassault to make Falcon business jets in India
Anil Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure has forged a landmark strategic partnership with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business executive jets in India for the global markets, the firms announced on Wednesday (June 18, 2025). The announcement, made at the Paris Air Show, marks the first time Falcon 2000 jets have been produced outside of France. In a move that signifies a major leap for India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities, the collaboration will establish a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000 jets in Nagpur, Maharashtra. When the Nagpur facility starts, India will join the elite club of countries producing business jets after the United States, France, Canada and Brazil. "Dassault Aviation and Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL), today at the Paris Air Show announced a landmark strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000 business executive jets in India for the global markets," the firms said in a statement. The Dassault Falcon 2000 is a versatile and efficient twin-engine business jet. It can typically accommodate 8 to 10 passengers. With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognised worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. The joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure (DRAL) was established in 2017. The operations commenced with the setting up of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Mihan, Nagpur, later that year. Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019, DRAL has assembled over 100 major sub-sections for the Falcon 2000, underscoring its world-class precision manufacturing capabilities and playing an integral role in the Falcon global production program. The partnership represents a significant step in advancing India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities. "This pioneering initiative will see India emerge as a strategic centre for high-end business jet manufacturing," the statement said. "It marks a historic moment for Indian aerospace and manufacturing industry, as the landmark agreement paves the way for India's entry into the elite club of countries producing next-generation business jets, alongside the United States, France, Canada, and Brazil." DRAL will also become the centre of excellence (CoE) for the Falcon series, including Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X assembly programs for Dassault Aviation, the first such CoE outside France. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation said, "This new agreement, which will make DRAL the first centre of excellence for Falcon assembly outside France and which will eventually enable the establishment of a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000, illustrates, once again, our firm intent to meet our 'Make in India' commitments, and to contribute to the recognition of India as a major partner in the global aerospace supply chain." It marks the ramp-up of DRAL, in line with the strategic vision shared with partner Reliance, which led to its creation in 2017 and "is a testament to our unwavering belief in our future in India and serving India," he said. Anil D. Ambani, founder chairman, Reliance Group, said, "Our partnership with Dassault Aviation represents a landmark in Reliance Group's journey, as we work together to firmly position India as a vital hub in the global aerospace value chain." The 'Made in India' Falcon 2000 will stand as a proud symbol of the nation's technological prowess and manufacturing excellence, he said. Dassault Aviation will also transfer the assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, in addition to the wings and complete fuselage assembly of Falcon 2000 to DRAL. The transfer of assembly operations combined with major facility upgrades will pave the way for the first flight of Falcon 2000 'Made in India' from Indian soil by 2028. The new final assembly line will cater to the rising demand in Indian and international markets. Falcon business jets have established a strong presence in India's corporate and charter aviation segment, earning the trust of esteemed customers who value the aircraft's exceptional performance, comfort, and operational efficiency. DRAL is expected to recruit several hundred engineers and technicians over the next decade to support its expanding operations. This growth underscores Dassault Aviation's deep commitment to strengthening India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the nation's emergence as a global centre of excellence for high-precision aviation production.
