How startups, SMEs transforming aviation with indigenous solutions

Though being ‘Atma Nirbhar’ is a long way to achieve, India’s entrepreneurs are making bold statements through their work, and that was the case witnessed at biennial civil aviation event, Wings India 2024.

Developing products to address the gaps and constraints in the aviation industry are startups like Hyderabad-based Bauddhartha Technologies Pvt Ltd. The startup offers end-to-end training solutions for the aviation industry with learning content in all the contemporary formats of digital learning and XR (AR, VR and MR), along with LMS to monitor and track learning progress.

Speaking with Bizz Buzz, Director of Operations R Kumudini Bolleboina said that the VR headset developed with the support of SMEs in line with DGCA principles saves time and effort for cabin crew and pilots who are about to start their practical lessons. “Once done with the theoretical part the cabin crew can work on familiarisation training and SEP drills through our VR headsets as it will be easy for them to perform before going to practical training. We are looking forward to commercially launch our product into the market as projects are already lined up with few airlines, and flying schools,” she confirmed.

Alongside modernising training methods for cabin crew and pilots, startups are also working on Indianising uniforms of airline employees. Hyderabad-based Nakshatra Aviation Alliance, led by professional aviation uniform designer B Swetha Reddy, are transforming training methods for cabin crew and pilots while also infusing an Indian touch into the uniforms of airline employees.

On adding colour and modern touch to uniforms of pilots and others, she said, “While travelling on an airplane a member of the DGCA was my co-passenger. It was from him I learnt about the requirements to design uniform for employees in the aviation industry. I researched for three years on the fabric that can be used, the guidelines to be followed, designs comfortable for long working hours and so on. I have already designed few but instead of payment I asked for feedback which further helped me to achieve a fine product.”

Positioning MSMEs in the global space are the new minds of innovative SME’s employing virtual engineering to deliver complete indigenous products for aircrafts.

CEMILCA, and AS 9100D certified MSME, Timetooth Technologies Pvt Ltd is the only company in India certified to develop aircraft under-carriages and seating systems. Optimistic about the growth of aviation industry in India, Director Girish Mudgal said, “Currently all the seats used in aircrafts are imported. We are the first to provide India-designed, developed, manufactured, qualified and certified seats for civil aviation. Our seats are catering to the Udan scheme’s airlines. We are also launching seats for commuter aircraft made by HAL. We have already designed seats for regional aircraft that will be launched soon. We are competing with international alike by providing better customisation options, reducing total cost of ownership as the biggest challenge they face is not only cost of material but also import taxes and downtime on servicing of seats.”

Airport in Bangalore and Hyderabad are not just any other airport but a landmark for the city owing to its landscape design. Bringing life to the vision of landscape architects and designers at airports is Mumbai-based MSME, SS Metal Industries. Products such as benches with phone charging point, customised dustbins, e-bike stands, are few of the innovative products modernising India’s airport landscape.

On opportunities for fabrication solutions in the aviation sector, Founder M Nayan Jain said, “After seeing the market demand for new fabrication materials in the aviation industry we came out with a line of innovative products that can be used at airports. In India no one has yet developed such concept. Chennai airport is one of our aviation clients. Today, HAL and GMR has expressed their interest.”