Question mark over helicopter8217;s cost-effectiveness

For this acquisition, the Punjab Government has earmarked Rs 20 crore. Among the contenders for the contract are the French Dauphin N-3, American Bell-430, Russian Mi-172 and the Italian Agusta.

Among the four, sources say the real competition is between the Dauphin and Bell. Dauphin is presently operated by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited, which possess a fleet of about 25 aircraft. All technical back up and maintenance facilities are availed from Pawan Hans.

Bell has about 25-30 examples flying in the country. Though the firm is reported to have a technical team based in the country for minor repairs, spares for this type will have to be shipped in from Singapore, which may take 24-48 hours.

The 17-seater Mi-172, presently operated within India by Pawan Hans and Mesco is too large for the state8217;s requirements. Though Agusta has a representative in Delhi, it has so far not sold any chopper in India.

Presently, the Punjab Government owns an eight-seater Beechcraft Kingair C-90 fixed-wing aircraft and has wet leased a six-seater Dauphin helicopter from Pawan Hans.

Sources say the average flying hours of the aircraft are 15 hours per month for the Beechcraft and 25 hours a month for the Dauphin 8211; an average of 30-40 minutes a day. Commercial aircraft, on the other hand average 7-9 hours a day.

8220;It is not sensible to purchase a single aircraft if its utility is so low,quot; says a department officer. quot;And that too when facilities to maintain and repair this type of aircraft are not available. The government will have top tie-up with a third party or set up its own facilities requiring additional expenses,8221; he added.

The Punjab Government has facilities to maintain only small fixed-wing aircraft at Patiala, adjacent to the Flying Club. Presently, the government is paying Pawan Hans Rs.18.60 lakh per month in addition to Rs 33,446 per flying hour. The total expenditure, which includes keeping of three pilots and one engineer permanently based at Chandigarh, maintenance, aviation fuel and spares, works out to be about Rs 4 crore annually.

The life of a chopper engine is 1,000 flying hours and the airframe life is 2,000 hours. This means that, with the current rate of flying hours, the chopper would need to go in for major engine overhaul after four years. The cost of overhaul would also have to be borne by the state.

quot;The government blows about Rs.20 crore on buying a chopper, spends a few lakhs on technical facilities, shells out an additional Rs.30,000 per hour as flying expenses, pays salaries and perks of the crew and after four or five years goes in for major overhaul. Taking the life-span and operational costs, this means that the government would be spending about Rs.6 crore per year,quot; an officer commented.

A chopper8217;s flexibility to land almost anywhere makes it a lucrative mode of travel. Official records show that frequent use of the present chopper costs the taxpayer almost Rs.1 lakh per day. About 75 per cent of the total flying hours logged-in have been by the Chief Minister.

Recruitment of pilots and technical staff, and their emoluments is another hotly debated topic. As per norms, only experienced pilots will have to be recruited and freshly trained pilots are out of question. For flying a VIP, pilots need to have a minimum of 2,000 hours of flying with instrument rating. As per government pay scales, pilots are to receive Rs.20,000-25,000 per month, while engineers will get up to Rs.20,000 per month.

Salaries for state employees cannot be higher than that of the chief secretary and apart from some perks like a vehicle, accommodation and telephone, no provisions to pay pilots salaries equivalent to that in the commercial sector exist.

In comparison, pilots with Pawan Hans get Rs.50,000-60,000 per month, while salaries in the private sector are as high as Rs.1.40 lakhs per month. quot;Any experienced pilot will naturally go for more paying jobs. Also they need not be on call 24-hours a day,quot; reasons a pilot.