My Republica

Hemant Arjyal

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Troubles at TIA

Published On: April 6, 2019 01:05 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

This one is more on arrival experience with passing reference to runway refurbishment works that have just begun. As is well known, TIA as the entry port is more famous for its negative attributes than anything else. Being the only international airport it is naturally frequented by high flying travellers including majority of tourists and businessmen. A general Nepali will not fly unless compelled. Being accustomed to low level of facilities all around we tend not to complain, knowing that it is not going to make much difference either way.

Business over safety

Published On: March 23, 2019 01:05 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

The aviation world was rocked by Ethiopian Airline’s (ET) recent crash involving a B737Max8 that happened less than five months after Lion Air (JT) crash in Indonesia. Normally, the period is not crucial, but the common narratives seem to show very identical circumstances with both crashing within few minutes after takeoff.

Death dance monotony

Published On: March 9, 2019 03:33 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

If the recommendations of 2006 report had been strictly followed, it might have helped in reducing accident cases thereafter.

Rumblings of a Comet

Published On: February 23, 2019 01:30 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Comet-4 flew high over Kathmandu in 1959, during Prince Philip’s first ever India trip. It seems he wanted to have closer look at the Himalayas

Benefit of doubt

Published On: February 9, 2019 01:50 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Perhaps BS211 crash would not have happened if there had been a localiser in place. It was not a day with best visibility.

Making hay, our way

Published On: January 26, 2019 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Even if not in consonance with expressed views, we generally detest commenting publicly for not wishing to offend. A positive note, in my mail box about my last write up “Positive spin gone awry” (Republica, January 12) was a rare happening. But a comment in the online edition, from a well known scribe, had me floored by his cryptic line while the only person with the widest knowledge of the widebody “deal” just opted to deal with peripheral technicalities.

Positive spin gone awry

Published On: January 12, 2019 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

It was unbelievable that something big, both in terms of size and money involved, would ever be purchased/leased without extracting a proportionate kickbacks in this country. But we were made to believe, right in the beginning, that everything would be made “quite transparent” this time. It was in a way, a tacit admission that things were murky in previous instances.

Daring of non-flying hours

Published On: December 29, 2018 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Half of Kathmandu was on terrace watching the B727 that was struck overhead with technical issue for hours around midnight in 1978

Getting rubbed silently

Published On: December 15, 2018 12:30 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Writing on simple technical issues that suits a normal reader is difficult enough. Perhaps, it is even more difficult to get such piece approved by the opinion editors first. Big media houses elsewhere usually keep knowledgeable technical hands to support the editorial team. On issues I have little grasp, I often try to verify facts first with people working in the related field and reconfirm the accuracy of scripted portion after the piece is done. I often make last minute request for small changes even after the final version is sent. But I am thankful that my irksome requests do generally get complied with.

The ultimate backup

Published On: October 13, 2018 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

This piece aims to present a brief overview of safety related issues arising out of over reliance on cockpit automation. The automation progressed, incrementally, over a protracted period and it has enhanced aviation safety, increased efficiency and reduced pilot’s workload.

Making soup of SOP

Published On: September 29, 2018 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Not all errors end in disasters, faults need to be corrected to stop situation from getting bad to worse.

Flight of fancy

Published On: September 15, 2018 12:10 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

We have complete dislikes for long routes and it cannot be anything but natural to take shorter ones where possible even while walking. It is not just distance: men are still striving to get to the farthest place faster by any means. It took almost 13 days to fly 9189nm between London-Sydney in 1935 and flying boats did it with 30 stops. People were happy with that as ships took months. The London-Sydney distance is taken as the last frontier even if Auckland is even further off.

Right, even when wrong

Published On: September 1, 2018 12:10 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

In material science creep is described as the likely trend of deforming permanently under the influence of mechanical stresses. Obviously, this process is unnoticeably slow and has uncanny resemblance to what happens when complacency gets better of us. Being confident is not a bad thing, but being overtly so often results in unwarranted consequences and people need to be constantly cautioned.

An ode to a monster

Published On: August 18, 2018 01:10 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Generally speaking, we try to learn as many new things as possible on subjects/areas of our interest. But it becomes a bit challenging if it falls outside the realm of one’s studies or profession. It was easier getting fascinated by aviation, but it was difficult to get necessary information then.

A double whammy

Published On: August 4, 2018 12:30 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Hopes of seeing RA’s domestic front invigorated has sadly turned sour

Talking big, talking loud

Published On: July 21, 2018 12:28 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Most aircraft we get come with considerable operational cycle behind them and have engines that drink a lot

Small bug, big lesson

Published On: July 7, 2018 04:12 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Long period of stagnation has harmed RA’s image significantly. Regaining it will be slow and painful but it needs to reclaim its turf

In bits and pieces

Published On: June 23, 2018 12:52 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

One positive aspect of agreement between CAAN and AAI is it allows low altitude flights between Tarai and cities in India.

Quiet moment at Bhattedanda

Published On: June 9, 2018 12:34 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Traditional method of replacing faulty parts does not work. Throwing off the old stuff is the solution.

Perennial disorder

Published On: May 26, 2018 12:15 AM NPT By: Hemant Arjyal

Situation in TIA is much worse. Domestic apron is managed by airlines themselves, like disorderly bus park.