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ameya

Wish you all a very happy and a prosperous 2014 as I set out to write my first TR of the new year and also 1st on the group. May this year see maximum aircraft travel, new aircraft types for all of us ! and May I be the one who travels the maximum – This is more like Bhagwan Sabka Bhala Kar Lekin Shuruwat Mere se Kar

Back to the TR !

Background

I had to attend a wedding of two of my close friends, the groom who currently is in USA and the bride who is still in IXU. Both my class mates till std. 4th and then head out for a small holiday in Delhi – primarily to enjoy the food and then to Jaipur.

The trip was in doldrums till the last minute because we decided to purchase a small property for us in Pune where we would shift later this month and that meant going thru the loan process and other cumbersome work. It was only on 24th Dec that the loan process was over and we could finally head out for the trip as planned.

We took the Volvo of MSRTC – Shivneri to Aurangabad. Convenient and comfortable. However, there was a big traffic jam as we entered Aurangabad, thanks to the holiday crowd doing the Ellora Ajanta Paithan Circuit

About the airport –

A) Start of my love for aviation

This is one airport which makes me nostalgic because this is where my love for aviation started back in late 1980s, when I was still in single digit years of my life. I stayed in IXU from 1986 (1 yr old) to 1995. Of the three houses that I stayed at, two had view of aircraft landing and I have never missed seeing it. Actually even today, all of us look at the sky if we hear some aircraft so no wonder this running to the window to see the plane stuff has come from childhood.

Aurangabad used to have those weekly markets on Fridays – since that was the industrial holiday and I remember countless times when I have been to this market with my parents on Fridays, after school. This market was in on open area right next to the airport wall and the same was breached at many places.

It was here that I have stood on the runway and seen a B732 land on the same runway. Soon it had become a ritual that my father would take me on his two wheeler to the area to see the flights.

B) My first flight there

As a kid, I took off from IXU for NAG in a Do 228, paid for by my mother’s uncle when he had come in from UK and then when I was 6 yr old to BOM on a B732, which I distinctly remember, because I had spotted another plane in the sky and shouted about this which had created some panic in passengers seating on the row behind. From the same trip – I remember seeing tiny double deckers before landing in BOM and again me shouting that the plane has broken when the flaps moved during landing.

C) Only flights in IXU

There used to be a criss cross routing of Indian Airlines where in IC 491/IC492 operated in pairs, BOM-IXU-JDH-UDR-JAI-DEL and the reverse, both arriving in IXU within a span of 1 hour of each other, which later became BOM-IXU-UDR-JAI-DEL and v.v
The older terminal was a small structure with the control tower and terrace on 1st floor, some check-in counters, one food stall and direct view of the apron. Like at many other airports during that era, one had to identify the bags, which were all lined up on the apron, before they could be put on the aircraft.

D) IXU Crash

In 1993, came the horrific B732 crash in which there were over 50 fatalities. While many of you may know the cause of the crash of how it hit the truck during T/O, there is one more story which most of you may not have heard. Load & Trim wasn’t proper, aircraft take off roll wasn’t initiated properly & the aircraft cudnt gain sufficient height while it lifted off at the end of the runway. There used to be a road running right after the compound wall – The beed bypass highway and a truck which was passing right in path of runway had heavy load in it. The landing gear and I think even the engine hit this over sized truck which led to aircraft losing its altitude, coming in contact with the power lines and crashing about 2 kms away from the airport.

Truck driver called the owner of the truck.

Truck Driver(TD) : “Saab truck ka accident ho gaya plane ke sath”
Owner(O) : “Phone rakh, subah subah daru piya hai”
-Cuts the call-
Truck Driver(TD) : “Saab truck ka accident ho gaya plane ke sath, mein sach bol raha hoon”
Owner(O) : “ *(^%&*#$*Phone rakh, subah subah daru piya hai”
-Cuts the call-

Then the police had to call the owner and call him at the sight. This story was reported in local daily Lokmat – which again was a very small business house in those days.

E) Expansion

As private carriers came in, East West, NEPC, Jet airways all started flights to IXU, mostly in the evening and they were always a nice sight at the airport – which continued to be small

F) Further expansion

As the private carriers started crumbling, DN launched flights with ATR42 to IXU from BOM in the evenings, which continued to operate on ATR72 with KF, till almost the very end. Meanwhile the airport also expanded with a new terminal, with space for international operations being created. 09/27 runway was also expanded to 7713Ft.

G) Connections so far

IXU has always maintained a link to BOM, after which the connections have not been stable. Other connections and their history is as below
1. NAG – Historically by Vayudoot and later for a short time by Jetairways
2. PNQ – For a very short time, one way by Jetairways when it operated DEL IXU PNQ DEL routing for one season. In that they lost both the markets
3. IDR – Again by jetairways for one season where on 3 days of the week, they tried BOM IXU IDR BOM
4. NDC – By Spicejet, when they began Nanded operations on the B737. They did the DEL IXU NDC BOM and v.v
5. HYD – First by KF on ATR 72 which they pulled out in 2009 when they returned many aircraft and later by SG on Q400, when they got the Qs.
6. JAI – by KF on ATR 72 for a very short period, it was too long a flight for ATR72
7. DEL – AI / SG / 9W-S2 have been the present and past operators on the route
8. BOM – Primarily by 9W which continues to have a morning / evening connection

H) My last few trips

My last few noted trips to IXU are as below,
IT 4139/4140 on 15Aug09/16Aug09 on VT-KAD, IT 4139 VT-DKE on 26Dec09 and IT 4140 VT-DKD on 27Dec09 , 9W2024 VT JGA on 15Aug11

The flight choice:

Considering that there were only 2 options SG / AI, the choice was clear – it had to be AI for the travel since in current situation of SG, I have asked all my family to not travel on SpiceJet
The timing also was convenient – we could take the flight after the wedding.

The rotation:
AI 695/695/696/422/422/624
HYD-BOM-VNS-BOM-IXU-DEL-BOM

Day of Departure

This was a heavy day, since we had to head out to attend the wedding come back to my grand parents and head out to the airport. With the wedding at 12:38 followed by lunch and flight at 16:25 which means we had to reach the airport at 15:25, it was not a very comfortable time line, however, when its Aurangabad, its all doable because of the size of the town.

We were back home at 14:00 hours and left for the airport at 14:45 and reached at 15:15 hours. The grand airport at Aurangabad is a waste of money. Even the parking contractor struggles to makes end meet is what I was told by my friends there.

With hardly any domestic flights and no international flights, the terminal structure is too huge to maintain. They have tried their best to shut some sections to save cost but does not look like it has helped.

We did the regular CISF thing of looking at the ticket, looking at the license, pretending to have understood everything and let you in types and headed straight to the counters. . . Errr… not really, IXU does not have in line baggage screening system and hence the first stop was the sole baggage screening machine for our bags. Quickly done, we went to the counter and informed about the seat being blocked – 4E/4F, the non sunny window. The agent was prompt in giving the boarding pass and accepting the baggage.

Air India is really good when it comes to seat blocking. It may not open the emergency window seats for you but it certainly lets you block seats immediately after you have the ticket with you unlike Jet airways.
We made our selves comfortable on one of the many chairs around and had a good coffee at less than half the price of PNQ airport. FR24 on my phone showed that VT-SCJ had taken off from BOM and was bound for IXU. So the rotation I had been tracking was right. As you know, I quickly made some checks on whatsapp group and with Sumantra Sir – the AI expert about SCJ earlier on the day of departure

Security was announced at 15:30 hours, which was in line with what used to be an old system at IXU. They will announce security only after the plane is airborne from Mumbai !

We quickly passed thru the security and waited in the SHA on the first floor since there would be an aero bridge boarding for us.
While we did some time pass around, the aircraft landed on time and was at gate at 1600 hrs

Flight Details

AI 442
Aurangabad (IXU/VAAU) to New Delhi (DEL/VIDP)
Incoming arrival: From BOM/VABB at 15:55
STD: 1625
STA: 1810
Aircraft: A319
ATA incoming : 1600
ATD: 1638
ATA : 1818
Aerobridge – 1 at IXU
VT-SCJ delivered 15Nov 2007 with CFM engines
Seat : 4E/4F
PIC : Capt Rishab Kapoor

METAR & NOTAM

IXU METAR

VAAU 261200Z 09004KT CAVOK 24/15 Q1018 NOSIG=

DEL METAR

VIDP 261200Z 32003KT 2500 HZ NSC 15/02 Q1017 NOSIG=

No NOTAMS to be worried off

Boarding & the flight

Boarding commenced in an orderly fashion to get into VT-SCJ at 1615 and was complete by 1630, 05 mins post STD at Gate 1 at IXU

We pushed back turned leftwards to go to the end of runway 27 and aligned for a powerful westerly take off, took a 180 degrees turn giving great views of Biwi Ka Makbara, banked left heading 45 Degrees and then a slight left again to join the BLR-DEL path all the way till Delhi.

Cruising at 11000 mtrs until GWL where the descent started. The screen on 4F wasn’t working and the crew did nothing to make it work. The audio channels were also not great in terms of quality. The content for both Audio and Video was nothing to look forward to.

Food service commenced about 20 mins into the flight and there was only a veg option which comprised of Tomato Omlette, half sandwich, a sweet and tea/coffee. Definitely not enough for that time of the day and the tomato omlette was pathetic to say the least. I hogged on to that, while wife ignored the omlette.

The flight was ever all uneventful, the armrest between 4E and 4F was broken but otherwise the aircraft was in decent condition.

As the aircraft made its turns and twists, I figured out that we would land on runway 29. At 1753 the seat belt sign was put on and we landed at 1816 hrs on runway 29 which was one of the best landings again. Steady as anything, the pilot got the A319 to ground smoothly with a text book touchdown and taxied to gate 27.

The luggage took a long time to reach the belt which was Belt 1 and we headed to the Delhi Metro for the ticket and to our destination in Delhi.

We managed to ditch our relatives in Delhi on that evening and went to a place called QBA at CP. The next day was complete madness with some long lost cousins and family around and what not. Still the agenda was food and we managed it pretty well, with some every awesome kebabs at Karims near Jama Masjid, some chat at Chandni Chowk, really nice dinner at Gulati – Pandara Road and some sweets at Haldirams

We were eventually put up at Bloomrooms near Paharganj Side of New Delhi Railway Station. While the area as a whole is shady, the hotel is really nice ! and I would recommend that to anybody who is visiting Delhi and wants to stay near NDLS

ameya · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 1:07 pm Post subject:

I have read Volvo in many different ways - Holvo being the most popular word for Volvo in central india. This was a new addition - Vhalvo

20131225_135350 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Ground floor at IXU

20131226_151941 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

20131226_152229 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

First floor

20131226_154348 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

20131226_162635 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Incoming bird

20131226_160516 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Any body interested in this job ?

20131226_160633 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Old & New !

20131226_163812 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

20131226_163139 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

20131226_164051 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Broken armrest

20131226_165057 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Food !

20131226_165715 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Sir, this was one trip report we all have been waiting for, particularly those interested in Aurangabad and thing associated with it, and the airport at Chikkalthana. Small things aside, thank you for keeping me abreast of most of the goings-on. I am glad that both the loan as well as the trip worked out, though I did not get a chance to meet up with the Joshi family, owing in part to my hectic year-end schedule, and your slightly tight schedule. I loved every word of the description of your childhood memories, of seeing the B732 pocket rocket come in to land. The history of your early flights was very interesting! I also have some interesting snippets, which I hope to pen down in a complete report. When, I do not know! I remember the old tiny terminal building at Chikkalthana. I certainly did not know this angle to the horrific 1993 accident. You have some amazing memory, to even remember what the Lokmat paper had reported! And what a lovely history you have maintained for IXU over the years - with flights, and connections! Typical Ameya touch to even a report with historical leanings. Wonderful! And thank you for the current AI connection: the complete rotation. I am hardly the technical type Sir: you attribute unfair contributions to me! Thanks to your descriptions, the next time I fly out of IXU, I will remember to book a seat on the starboard side of the plane. I have fond memories of the Bibi ka Maqbara structure, and to see it from the air, will be fabulous. I envy you for the food trip around the old walled city: shockingly enough, I have never been to the original Karim's, but only been to its franchisee outlets in South Delhi. So much so for being the self-anointed resident glutton of the forum. The broken arm-rest, non-working PTV on 04F, and indifferent food: do not point to a nice on-board experience on AI! The quantity is perhaps well in tune with the Dholakia committee recommendations based on the time of the day and the duration of the flight, but given your description of the food, they could have certainly done better! Once again, thank you for a very wholesome trip report, and hope for more gems to come from you, soon.
Cheers, Sumantra.

shivendrashukla · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:26 pm Post subject:

Nice TR Ameya and a good history about IXU too. I guess the Jan shatabdi took away most of the traffic hence most of the airlines had to cancel the routes.

ameya · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject:

ameya · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 10:37 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

ameya · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:54 pm Post subject:

The aircraft position on FR24 on my phone

Screenshot_2013-12-26-15-45-22 by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

jbalonso777 · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:39 pm Post subject:

Brilliant TR as usual, Sir!

It is quite common to see AI's Airbus IFE not functioning properly these days, which is not a good sign, considering the fact that these birds go on international routes.

Also, an amazing insight into IXU - I doubt if I can even remember that much of detail of what I did on flights! Also, the history piece of the horrific crash was a nice addition too, of course I didn't know the incident of the truck! The meal looks okay, better than what I had had on the same day!

I look forward to reading the other TR too!

Regards
Jish
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

ameya · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I have been waiting for long to write a TR on IXU and this was one opportunity where I could write in more details about IXU

jbalonso777 · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 3:43 pm Post subject:

I must also commend you on that brilliant Hindi line at the beginning of the TR! Laughing

Brilliant! Razz

Regards
Jish
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

Nimish · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:57 pm Post subject:

Lovely TR - esp. the history on IXU - fascinating stuff indeed! And that broken armrest on AI - horrible sight, hope AI does not degenerate to it's past glory - the one with khatara 300s laboring on well past their "best-by" dates.
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We miss you Nalini!

ameya · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:28 pm Post subject:

ameya · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

Thank you for the trip report and intersting fact about the 1993 accident.

I have flown once from Aurangabad to Bombay after doing the usual Ajanta Ellora circuit it was on Indian Airlines B-737-200 in 1990. It was a 30 minute flight and I remember clearly we were only given candys on a tray to chose from.

The candy in those days were not any premium brands like "M&M's" but good old "Ravalgaon" I did a quick search to see if this company still exists after all the MNC onslought and it does:

http://www.ravalgaon.in/

ameya · Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

My Dad did this trip long back> PNQ IXU was on an "Asiad" (the non AC predecessor of the Shivneri in the 80s/90s) and then IXU BOM on the 737-200.

As for the crash, the enquiry commitee put the blame on the pilots and the AAI saying late rotation and faulty rotation techniques of the crew and the AI failure to regulate traffic on the highway . Iincidentally in this case both the pilots survived - I belieiv the copilot was a woman pilot. It was however as Ameya mentions rumoured that the Load and Trim were not proper and while I am no technical expert, I believe if the load and trim sheet was not proper how can you blame the pilots then??? Also this happened at 13:06 (mid afternnon) on April. My 50 paisa worth- I think the pilots were too easily blamed for this.

ameya · Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject:

The Load & Trim is to be signed by the pilot and if anything related to load and trim goes wrong, pilot is equally blamed for that

The aircraft broke in such a manner that the pilot and co-pilot opened the cockpit door and walked out of the cockpit to see the crash

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

Ameya

Signing the trim sheet is one thing, but how easy is it to verify that the facts which are given in the sheet is correct?? As per what I heard the aircraft was overloaded, it was very hot and take off was shortly after 1 PM which directly affects the performance (the time of the crash iI mentioned is taken from the DGCA accident summary) and they would still have got away if it was not for the lorry and even more unfortunately cargo packed very high. How can you blame pilots for late rotation if they realised too late that the aircraft was heavier than what was told to him/her????

Can any one DIRECTLY related to flying here comment whether the pilot can know immediately before signing whether the figures in trim sheet are totally correct or wrong???

PAL@YWG · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:05 am Post subject:

Nothing more is left to be known for a person like me (who knew nothing about the place) about Aurangabad Airport after what I read here.

Ameya, you are an excellent narrator!
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ameya · Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:56 am Post subject:

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Nice TR ameya, that IC accident brings back a lot of stories my grandmother used to share when I was a kid.

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

Nice history of IXU airport- not that we expected anything less from you Wink

Great detail, from the actual TR to the childhood flights.

karun83 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 3:20 pm Post subject:

sorry for the resurrection of this topic, but I had to register a reply since I have been associated with IXU since my childhood. I was born in Aurangabad.

I completed my Engg. degree from Aurangabad, then went to Delhi\US for an IT job for 3 years, only to return to the 'historical' city again in 2008. I reside in this city till this day, and am very proud of being an 'Aurangabadi'

@Ameya: you are very correct regarding the IC crash, wherein Lokmat had reported that telephonic conversation between the truck driver and the owner. I also remember seeing a pic of the B732 Main wheel lying close to where it struck the truck, and a police chowki of sorts being setup just next to the wheel, coz the locals claimed that it had bceome haunted after the crash. I was in Delhi on the day of the crash, attending a cousins wedding and returned 1 day later, and while coming into land in IXU, I saw the debris from up above. Many of pax (those who survived as well as died) were well known to my father.

You are very correct regarding the hopping flight that IC used to operate via Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur as I was a very frequent flier as a kid, since we belonged to Delhi, so we had to go there atleast twice every year, sometimes even more owing to marriage and stuff.

Great memoirs!! Thanks for refreshing all of them Ameya!!
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- K