The Boeing 777

 A freelance contract pilot and safety management system auditor/consultant with AvJet Solutions, Tilak S. Ramaprakash has a history as a commercial pilot in Mumbi with Jet Airways and Air India. With both of these organizations, Tilak Ramaprakash captained Boeing 777 aircrafts.

With a history that dates back to the early 1990s, various Boeing 777 aircrafts have made a number of contributions to the field of aviation, including records for the longest airliner to take to the air and the longest flight by a passenger jet. Today’s X-9 model of the Boeing 777 remains the longest twinjet aircraft in the world with a fuselage that stretches roughly 84 yards. Under normal conditions, this aircraft can carry 426 passengers in a two-class configuration for nearly 7,300 nautical miles. Boeing also touts the exceptional fuel efficiency and passenger comfort of the various aircrafts in the B-777 line. As a testament to its dedication to passenger-preferred comfort, the Boeing 777 has received multiple awards for aircraft interior from Executive Travel Magazine.

Harmonious and Hierarchal Japanese Leadership Style

 

A longtime aviation professional, Tilak S. Ramaprakash manages operations such as auditing and accounting. With an extensive academic background that includes an MS earned at Purdue University, Tilak Ramaprakash authored a paper reviewing a study on commonalities and differences in leadership across Western and Asian countries.

In looking at Japan, he describes a rigid and hierarchical society, with companies taking a paternalistic attitude toward workers. The positive side of this restrictive system is that Japanese managers are oriented toward taking a caring, helpful attitude with employees. This is reinforced by a sempai-kohai mentoring relationship, in which older team members are expected to help new arrivals gain their feet in the company and thrive.

Interestingly, despite the inflexible structure, Japanese companies feature a group dynamic in which harmonious equality is valued above power struggles and direct criticism. This internal harmony often holds importance above simply making money or being more productive and helps explain why Japanese companies have proven so challenging to take over by outsiders.

Another important aspect of the equation is that the march to seniority and higher salary is long-term in Japan, with greater responsibilities and rank added only gradually. The salary differences between various group members are not so wide, as the emphasis is on the well-being of the collective.

Open Skies Agreements with the European Union

 

Tilak S. Ramaprakash is an aviation professional who has piloted and provided strategic advice on aviation operation management. Extensively researched in his field, Tilak Ramaprakash is the author of “Open Skies Agreements with the European Union.” In the paper, he looks at agreements that enable partner countries to minimize government intervention in using EU airspace and facilities while providing maximum access.

Such agreements pose serious trade law issues, with critics arguing that the EU often provides more, through unlimited access, than reciprocating countries do, with their “comparatively limited markets.” Despite this, EU Open Skies agreements have been integral in achieving commercial aims, including boosting traffic flow, increasing global economic activity, and controlling airfares.

One major issue that needs to be resolved is the Open Skies agreement with the US, which provides US carriers with free access to the EU while not achieving a fair level of reciprocating access. The author suggests that the US-Canada Open Skies agreement could be a viable model moving forward in negotiating a new agreement that would be more equitable.

How Threat and Error Management Functions on the Runway

 Active with the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, Tilak S. Ramaprakash has a background as a contract pilot and aviation auditor. As a member of Purdue University’s Aviation Technology Department, Tilak Ramaprakash authored the paper “Threat and Error Management (TEM) and Runway Excursions.”

A human performance-related safety concept, TEM originated in the procedures followed on airline flight decks. It is now used more broadly in discussing a variety of dynamic operating environments across the aviation realm.

At its foundation, TEM involves maximizing safety margins through anticipation, recognition, and recovery. The anticipation aspect consists of the flight crew staying vigilant and avoiding a sense of complacency. Recognition involves identifying unusual patterns the moment they occur, which is essential to mitigating an error or threat. Finally, recovery requires regaining an acceptable state of safety given a situation where the aircraft is in trouble. It represents a final opportunity to avoid an undesired outcome, such as a crash landing.

The factors involved in such situations on the runway are manifold and include bad weather, airport birds, terrain, ground crews, and air traffic control. In addition, many issues involving personnel can contribute, from experience level to excessive workload and resulting fatigue and stress. Maintaining a TEM protocol can help ensure that factors leading to unwanted incidents are proactively identified and prevented.

Factors that Determine Airline Quality

A Professional Aviation Maintenance association member, Tilak Ramaprakash earned his bachelor and master of science in aviation management and aviation and aerospace management, respectively, from Purdue University. An accredited aviation auditor, Tilak S. Ramaprakash's interest in aviation permeates different facets, including airplane quality reviews and measurement parameters.

Punctuality forms one criterion for measuring airline quality. Unlike other modes of transport such as the road, where you can catch the next bus or taxi, flight delays are costly and significantly disrupt schedules, especially for connecting flights or essential engagements. Constant delays, especially departures, which passengers seem to remember more than delayed arrivals, deter future bookings.

Luggage handling is the second parameter when evaluating airline quality. Passengers never forget lost, mishandled, or tampered with luggage, especially for sentimental or costly items. The experience forms the first response when someone asks for a referral, and since nobody wants to lose luggage, they tend to keep away.

The third criterion is customer service, both from ground and flight crews. While different demographics and cultures harbor different expectations, basic best practices in customer service exist.

From the three parameters, Mr. Ramaprakash believes customer service deserves the highest weight as it determines how the other issues are addressed. For example, for inevitable delays, proactive communication on time and engaging the passengers on alternatives such as re-routes and connecting flights help alleviate the distress levels.

Though other factors that determine quality exist, the three play a significant role in judging airline quality. Other variables, such as the age of the fleet, compliance, and seat tilt, are more back-end elements not immediately visible or do not affect the passenger directly.

Using Threat and Error Management Systems to Mitigate Aviation Risks

A master of science graduate in aviation and aerospace management from Purdue University, Tilak S. Ramaprakash works as a contract pilot, aviation auditor, and consultant. He leverages his certifications as an auditor to ensure adherence to international aviation standards for different airlines. One of the areas Tilak Ramaprakash monitors and audits is threat-and-error management (TEM) in flight operations.

TEM utilizes a three-pronged model of threats, errors, and undesired aircraft states. From the airline crew’s perspective, situational management works on the premise that threats and errors represent a significant factor in everyday aviation, thus should be heavily weighted, as they can lead to undesired aircraft states.

In the aviation industry, some threats emanate from external factors beyond the crew’s control and range from extreme weather, complex terrain, such as proximity to mountains and water bodies, and errors by third parties, such as maintenance crews. Each of these variables significantly affects the safety and risk margins of the aircraft’s desired operation.

In some instances, the crew does anticipate threats, either from experience, data analysis, or feedback from other parties. Examples of anticipated threats include poor airport design, either for approach or takeoff, or congestion, which allow for prior planning. However, unexpected threats, such as a component malfunction without warning, require crew engagement through prior experience, training, and drills.

There are threats that fall into neither the anticipated nor the unexpected classification. These are referred to as latent threats, which require safety analysis to solve, and can include airplane design flaws. Regardless of the threat nature, an effective and tested TEM system enables the crew to respond effectively and deploy the necessary countermeasures in the shortest time possible to maintain the desirable aircraft state.

Some Career Opportunities in the Aviation Industry

 

Around the world, the aviation industry, directly and indirectly, supports about 87.7 million jobs. And with the growth of technology, experts predict a further surge in the need for professionals in this industry. Its fast-growing nature offers various career options requiring diverse skills and qualifications. These career options include but are not limited to aviation management, commercial piloting, traffic control, quality control, and aerospace engineering.

Working as an airline pilot is a popular career option for people venturing into aviation. These professionals are responsible for transporting passengers safely and supervising other crew staff. The flexible working schedules and lucrative pay are some of the perks of this job. However, to become a pilot, a person must be above 18 years, have the required license, pass the necessary psychological and aptitude tests, and gain flight experience.

Air traffic control is another viable career option in aviation. Aviation traffic controllers are experts in regulating and monitoring aircraft movement and the entire air traffic system. They communicate with pilots and instruct them on how to navigate. They also ensure aircraft maintain a safe distance between them and update pilots on necessary information like the weather conditions. Air traffic control is a high-stress and high-responsibility job. Professionals must thus be detail-oriented, have strong decision-making and verbal communication skills, and be able to work under intense pressure.

Flight attendants work on a flight and are responsible for keeping passengers safe and comfortable. They inspect emergency equipment, ensure adherence to flight rules and regulations, provide assistance and safety information, and serve meals to passengers. To become a flight attendant, one must have great communication skills, patience, a neat appearance, and be able to multitask. They must also obtain a license and be willing to travel for work.

Aerospace engineers are a significant part of the aviation industry. These professionals design and develop aircraft and space vehicles. They research various design concepts, test prototypes, and ensure they function according to the design. Aerospace engineers are usually well-versed in thermodynamics, aerodynamics, and celestial mechanisms. They typically possess degrees in relevant fields such as mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or software engineering. This field has also continued to evolve with technological advancements, especially in developing more environment-friendly designs.

Quality control officers are professionals responsible for ensuring that materials and equipment used in aircraft manufacturing meet safety and quality standards. These professionals inspect the various stages and parts of the manufacturing process using sophisticated tools and produce reports on their inspections. Quality control officers must be detail-oriented and have extensive knowledge of the necessary materials for manufacturing. They are necessary for ensuring the quality and safety of the aircraft.

Aviation management is also a crucial and complex field in the aviation industry. Aviation managers engage in personnel management, airport operations, and account management. They are responsible for daily airline operations and maintain records and work schedules. Aviation managers must have proper knowledge of the industry and be able to navigate the changes of its constantly evolving operations. It is a dynamic field that requires technical, management, and leadership skills.