On a wing & a prayer

Boeing 737 Max has been a cause for worry since its launch, and the woes just don’t seem to end. Aircraft groundings and investigations over the last few days following an incident in the US are a sample of what the global aviation industry has experienced.Missteps earlier | In 2018 and 2019, Boeing 737 Max fleets in Indonesia and Ethiopia recorded accidents. Investigations attributed the same to a new component being installed without prior information and training for flight crews. The consequence was a ‘nosedive’ and aircraft crashing.FAA’s clout: Following changes and extensive fleet testing by Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the US regulator, the fleet was declared safe to fly. Although the Indian regulator, DGCA, initially expressed intent to independently evaluate the Boeing 737 Max, they eventually accepted Boeing’s compliance with FAA requirements. Its hand was forced as a significant number of regulators had already allowed aviation firms under their ambit to reuse this plane.Faltering engines: Airbus, the other large aircraft manufacturer, has faced its fair share of problems, encountering issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. Despite assurances from Pratt & Whitney asserting that safety remained uncompromised, escalating engine problems forced more remedial actions. It overwhelmed the company with the extensive volume of required component replacements and engine substitutions to fulfil contractual obligations. Consequently, airlines faced considerable delays as they awaited spare engines from Pratt & Whitney, resulting in a substantial portion of their fleets being grounded and adversely impacting expansion plans and profitability.Duopoly rules | India’s civil aviation sector relies primarily on Airbus and Boeing, which boast the largest aircraft orders globally. Both manufacturers work on upgrades of their workhorse platforms and have delivered new versions of their popular A320 and B737 models. The new models come equipped with more fuel-efficient engines. The upgrades, however, have rarely been hassle-free. Disruptions to aviation schedules because of safety concerns are not unusual.Incidents notwithstanding, flying’s safe | Aviation is widely regarded as the safest mode of travel, having demonstrated an impressive safety record for nearly five decades. Technological advancements in 1970s significantly reduced accident rates, but human error continues to be a contributing factor in many incidents. Focus on human aspect | Experts in human-machine interfaces argue that rather than relying on engineering solutions every time humans make mistakes, it would be more effective to address the underlying human factors.India needs to internalise the lesson | India’s aviation sector has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, making it the third-largest market after US and China. Indian airlines operate some of the most advanced aircraft and employ well-trained personnel who are equipped with modern tools and technologies.The sector, however, has not yet established institutions of the calibre of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to produce world-class aviation professionals. Instead, India continues to rely on Western institutions to meet its training and production needs. Competence, not rote | Conceptual understanding of aviation subjects remains a challenge in India, where rote learning is still prevalent. The development of concepts such as Nididhayasan is not incorporated into the Indian learning system, while Western aviation practices incorporate ancient Indian techniques like Dhyaan and Pranayam. While the West has embraced components of ancient Indian pedagogy, India is only beginning to adopt the Western concept of competency-based training.Gurukul model needed | What we need is the development of gurukul-like institutions that provide holistic education, including personality development, and contribute to the betterment of society.Aircraft manufacture calls for new institutions | DGCA is our civil aviation regulator. It’s responsible for safety. A well-informed and proactive regulator is essential for making informed decisions. As India contemplates the initiation of civil passenger aircraft production, establishing a Joint Operational Evaluation Board (JOEB) becomes imperative. JOEB can independently assess aircraft component systems and formulate training curricula.Work on culture of anti-fragility | India’s aviation sector has remained resilient in the face of challenges. But there’s a pressing need to cultivate anti-fragility. It simply means each recovery from a setback reinforces and strengthens the foundation, ensuring a more robust system.Aviation is a high technology industry. It’s inherently dynamic, with new challenges and solutions playing out in a loop. A healthy system, therefore, needs a robust foundation, high-quality institutions, and methodologies that align with the cultural nuances of the nation.The writer is an aviation safety expert