Information Pasteboard
Weekly reports of meetings at NAL, snippets of R&D activity, conference announcements and other features of popular interest
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Information Pasteboard |
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News and Events #IP 858, 23 Feb - 1 Mar 2009 NAL’s New Reception Hall inaugurated NAL’s New Reception Hall was inaugurated at a brief function held on 25 Feb 2009. Dr A R Upadhya, Director NAL, welcomed the gathering and introduced the chief guest Dr Ashok Parthasarathy, Former Scientific Adviser to Government of India. The chief guest Dr Parthasarathy inaugurated the new reception office by formally cutting the ribbon. A visitor pass was issued to the chief guest as a symbolic gesture of making the new reception office functional. Dr Parthasarathy remarked he would preserve the visitors pass.
Congratulations to the winners of XXXX SSBMT Indoor finals 40th SSBMT Indoor finals was held at NGRI, Hyderabad during 20-22 Feb 2009. NAL participated and won prizes in the following events - Chess championship - Prakash M
#IP 857, 16 -22 Feb 2009 NAL's Footprint at AeroIndia 2009 The seventh edition of the Aero India was held from February 11-15, 2009. The format of first three days for business and the next two days for general public continued into this year as well. NAL had set up an even bigger stall this year. A good 160 square metres in all. The stall was based on “open access” concept and provided ample space for people to see the exhibits. The technologies were displayed on the periphery of the stall and a good number of plasmas provided an overview for the casual onlooker. The central area displayed the one is to one scale mock up of the NM5, scaled version of Saras. It turned out that the NM5 and the Saras models were the biggest attractions. On the first day, after the inaugural, aerial display began around 10:30 am with fly past of small boy and big boy formations as well as mid-air refuelling configurations. This was followed by showcasing of military might. From India, the MiGs and the Sukhois (Su-30 MKI) made their mark while Russians displayed MiG 35 and other impressive aircraft. Somewhere in between, Saras made its appearance with its newly painted blue belly. On the style quotient, no transport aircraft can match military ones. But, nonetheless, Saras made some impressive moves and gave the impression that the pilots were quite enjoying themselves. Hansa was displayed in the later editions. The Eurofighter Typhoon and F18 Super Hornet flew fast, flew slow, flew upside down, flew straight up and flew in every possible way barring going backwards. Typhoon was particularly impressive performing square loops. The Lockheed Martin C17 military transport aircraft was superbly agile in spite of its huge size making pretty steep turns at very low altitudes. It also landed using up very little runway and even taxied backwards! The Sarang Helicopter team was very impressive. The peacock painted in gold and blue ALH team (in all four of them) performed some deadly formation flying. They flew one above the other, forwards and backwards, and crossed each other in different combination. Their performance overshadowed every- thing and impressed general public a good deal. The last edition, as always, was that of Surya Kirans. Owing to loss of aircraft and a pilot recently, the fine aerobatic team used only six aircraft as against their usual 9. As such they lacked some of their moves like the cross over and the heart. However, they did display their signature move, viz., the bomb blast. As far as the exhibition was concerned, it seemed more like what it was the last time around. Of course, the Americans had a bigger presence this year around. Technologies involving avionics, aerial support systems, aircraft components, electronics, linkages, software products, simulators, torpedoes, weapon delivery systems, etc. were on display. The NAL stall showcased almost all the technologies. They consisted of the Wankel engine, NALFOQA, Saras and Hansa flight videos, the new Flosolver, radomes, wind turbine, Drishti, presentations on “Computing Fluid Flows” and flow diagnostics, Saras EICAS etc. A new addition was hands-on smart materials related demonstration. This attracted many, particularly on the general days. A large number of posters derived from the Suvarna Sadhana were abundantly displayed. The NAL team was rained down with reporters particularly on the first day who wanted to know everything about our aircraft projects. They seemed like the robot in the movie “Short Circuit” longing for input and more input. The scaled down version of Saras and the mock up of NM5 and the model of new RTA attracted many. On the first three days, people sat in NM5 and photographed themselves. On the last two days the crowd was so big that the NM5 and Saras were clicked constantly. A happy moment for NAL indeed. They seemed to have reached one and all. Considering this, NAL has come a long way since its first appearance with Saras mockup at the first edition. Today the Saras itself is flying while showcasing the RTA almost on the sidelines. It is almost certain that a lighter, better and compositer (with its new composite wing, that is) Saras will provide joy rides to its potential customers next time around. It will be serious business with perhaps the RTA knocking on the doors asking for its place in the skies. Whatever the future may hold, the present show underlined that technology is indeed NAL’s core vehicle. Last but not the least, complements must go to KTMD and all the divisions who made it happen. Mr. C. V. Giri Raj toiled hard with excellent help from what may now be termed as his Exhibition Team which has been going around various places displaying NAL’s technologies. Complements must, of course, also go to NAL’s air operation team involving SARAS pilots namely Wg. Cdr. Praveen, Wg. Cdr. Sunit Krishna, Wg. Cdr. Shah, Wg. Cdr. G D Singh, Sq. Ldr. Jaswal and Sq. Ldr. Ilayaraja (IAF, ASTE Team) with ground support team led by Mr. P Radhakrishnan and HANSA pilot – Air Vice Marshal A S Lamba and ground support team with Mr. Shijo K Francis and his team in the lead. Mr. Kamaleshaiah and his team deserve high praises for excellent models. Vidyadhar Y Mudkavi
Dr G Ramesh and Dr L Venkatakrishnan nominated as Deputy Head, EAD Consequent on retirement of Dr N B Mathur, Deputy Head, EAD on attaining the age of superannuation on 3.1.2009 Dr G Ramesh is nominated as Deputy Head (MAV) and Dr L Venkatakrishnan will function as Deputy Head (Technical) Leadership Development Programme Recently Mr. R K Rao, COSP, Dr. Soumendu Jana, Propulsion and Dr. Raveendranath Nair, ALD and I have participated in CSIR leadership development programme (LDP). The LDP was organized in four modules. The first module consisted pre-work assignments to be carried out at our work place before attending the programme. The second module was 12 a day residential programme held at HRDC, Gaziabad from 23rd Nov to 5th Dec 2008. The third module consisted of assignments (on learning) to be carried out at our work place before attending the fourth module. Fourth module ‘Accreditation and Graduation’ was again held at HRDC, Gaziabad from 27th Jan to 31st Jan 2009. The main emphasis of the whole programme was to:
There were series of tests and assignments during the entire programme focusing on our personal mastery in identifying and correcting flawed mental models, interpersonal skills, capacity to reveal what we are truly thinking during a really tough discussion, capacity to persevere under pressure. In addition there were 48 hour continuous teamwork simulations which were designed to give us opportunity to practice and experiment with leadership ideas and behaviours. Some outdoor teamwork simulations were designed to test our teamwork corroboration and physical fitness. As part of the assignments we were asked to look into issues which improve CSIR’s PRI, make a detailed study and present before DG, CSIR. On the final day we had presentation and interaction with DG. During our discussion it was evident that DG insisted on promoting CSIR brand. He was of the opinion that in every forum we should promote CSIR brand (like CSIR-NAL in publication, in presentations, in our visiting card, letter head, etc.). DG also made brief presentation on new policy of recruitment and restructuring of senior level positions in CSIR. In gist, the programme has given us the needed boost to carry out the work with zeal. Advise to all younger colleagues not to miss the opportunity if they are selected to undergo this training programme. But be prepared to go through some sleepless nights. N Shantha Kumar
#IP 856, 9 - 15 Feb 2009 Tata Advanced Materials signs Composites Components MOU with NAL
NAL ACD has pioneered the development of advanced carbon fibre composite components and assemblies for aircraft applications in India. It has made significant contribution to prestigious national programmes such as ADA’s LCA Tejas, NAL’s Saras, and many other defence and space programmes. It has also rendered repair technology services to IAF involving metal composite hybrid repairs resulting in extension of operational life of aircraft in the fleet. Tata Advanced Materials Ltd (TAML) has established modern facilities for manufacture of advanced composites in the Country and aims to be a major player in manufacture of advanced composites components for aerospace applications. It is a strategic supplier of composites components to both HAL and ISRO and has commenced exports to international aviation companies. TAML is the only company in India to acquire NADCAP accreditation for aerospace composites. The agreement is expected to strengthen the advanced composites development and production capability in the country significantly.
#IP 855, 2 - 8 Feb 2009
It isn’t. Far too many thoughts and images rush to my mind as I think of my senior colleague Dr K S Nanjunda Swamy, and my hand just can’t keep pace with this cascade of memories. It must be because every individual has multiple-facets to his personality! It must be because Dr Swamy achieved far too much during his long innings as NAL’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO). But let me try … let me try to replay my memories in slow motion. I first met Dr.Swamy when I came cycling to NAL in 1991 to submit my application for the post of medical officer. I was coming in fresh from a private hospital, where some consultants carried that unmistakable air of superiority, I was therefore surprised to see Dr Swamy casually dressed as we talked in the NAL Staff Club shed. In fact, Dr Swamy was so unassuming that I even nervously asked him “Are you NAL’s CMO?” My earliest memories after I joined NAL are of a young doctor eager to please his stern CMO. Initially Dr Swamy’s strict sense of discipline, and his ‘siren-dictated’ punctuality, unnerved me. Since I was coming in from a private hospital, my body clock was tuned to working long hours without a break for food or rest – and my body wasn’t wired to eat a masala dosa simply because a siren went off somewhere! My odd timings didn’t please Dr Swamy – and he told me as much – but then he turned more sympathetic when he found that I was putting in long hours at work in spite of my different routine. Actually, I found that I had a lot to learn from Dr Swamy when it came to correct eating habits: his controlled food intake, his ability to relish even a meager meal, his admirable propensity to opt for a ‘by two’ meal plan if he felt full, the use of his ‘surgeon’s hand’ to neatly pick food from an impossibly tiny tiffin box … these were remarkable, and they also explain why he retains such a trim physique. In fact, even that occasional smoking habit was tightly controlled! As a fellow doctor, I appreciated him for putting in hard work even on days when he was personally unwell. Dr Swamy often braved painful mouth ulcers and crippling backache and headaches to be present at the Health Centre to treat his ailing NAL colleagues. I have only rarely spotted a grimace of pain or a show of personal discomfort behind a jovial exterior. But then, that’s what every good doctor’s life is all about. .Of course, there were some moments when Dr Swamy lost his temper, and other moments when he seemed unapproachable. I’ve also heard him fly into a rage while talking on the telephone. But we must remember that a doctor is human too: a doctor too can be all of moody, pleasant, serious, jovial, tense, irritable and cheerful. So while I have some memories of an angry Dr Swamy, I have many more memories of the good doctor, chortling uninhibitedly at a good joke, and enjoying his occasional glass of beer. Without being too orthodox or devout, Dr Swamy has always been God-fearing, and was a keen participant in the events at the Ganesha and Shiva temples at the NAL campuses. I have also seen him being the Good Samaritan as he dipped into his own pocket to help some of his needy and underprivileged patients. But, at the end of the day, Dr Swamy proved to be a good doctor. His interactions and close bonding with so many of his patients allowed him to be a healer, a beacon of hope, a personal confidant, a source of strength, a harbinger of solace and a friend, philosopher and guide. Being a doctor myself, I know that these qualities often mean much more than cold medical knowledge. Dr Swamy knows this too. He’s been there for 33 years; he’s seen it all. And he’s brought greater respect to this noblest of professions. Amarnarayan Sixth International Conference on Software Testing - STeP-IN SUMMIT 2009 was held during 20-23, January 2009 at the Leela Palace, Bangalore. Dr A R Upadhya, Director, NAL inaugurated the event and delivered the inaugural address.
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In the spirit of Public Private Partnership for an accelerated growth of Advanced Composites development and manufacture for national and international aircraft programmes, the Advanced Composites Division of National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL ACD) has signed an MOU with Tata Advanced Materials Ltd (TAML) for a collaborative arrangement. TAML has adopted NAL ACD as it’s development arm to develop required advanced technologies and products for national and international projects. In turn, NAL ACD has adopted TAML as its production and marketing house for the composites components it has developed. The MOU was signed in the presence of Dr. A.R.Upadhya, Director NAL and Mr. Syamal Gupta and Mr. A.K.Vora, Chairman and Vice Chairman of TAML. 
Poornima Narayan has been awarded Ph.D in Library & Information Science from the
Kuvempu University, Karnataka for the thesis titled Problems & Perspectives in Design and Development of Institutional Repositories, under the guidance of Prof. B S Biradar, Chair and Head, Dept. of Library & Information Science, Kuvempu University. She received the degree certificate from Sri. Arvind Limbavali, Hon. Min of Education, Govt of Karnataka during the 19th convocation of Kuvempu University on 12th February 2009 
I was wrong. I thought that writing a paragraph about somebody I now know for more than 17 years should be quite simple.
