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Key highlights
India has made a historic leap in aviation innovation as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has granted certification to the first fully indigenous aircraft seat, which was designed by Timetooth Technologies. This success puts India on the world map for aviation manufacturing and heralds growth for the country's Make in India initiative.
Designed and Certified in India
Bengaluru-based engineering company Timetooth Technologies developed and designed the commercial aircraft seat fully in India, and it is the first such product to have been cleared for use in Indian passenger planes by the DGCA.
Certification required intensive testing for meeting international safety, comfort, and durability requirements. The seat met all the required crashworthiness, fire safety, and long-term use tests stipulated by the regulatory bodies.
The approval by the DGCA provides Indian airlines the choice to install indigenous seats, decreasing overall reliance on imported equipment and paving the way for extensive use in both domestic and international fleets.
Distinctive Features
The seat is designed to be light, which assists airlines in saving fuel and operational expenditures throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft.
Contemporary materials and ergonomic design provide improved passenger comfort as well as greater durability for extended use.
Maintenance is simpler and cost-saving through modular design and locally available parts, which is advantageous to both maintenance personnel and airline operators.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
This certification is not only a technical achievement but an industry breakthrough—potentially lowering the cost of aircraft cabin refits and inspiring more homegrown innovation in aircraft interiors.
Major airlines like SpiceJet and Fly91 have shown keen interest in incorporating the seat, and Timetooth is seeking agreements for maintenance support and future upgrades. This launch will stimulate the creation of new jobs, investments in aerospace manufacturing, and the way for local production of other major aircraft parts in the years to come, according to experts.
National Significance
The occasion is being hailed extensively as a milestone, mirroring what can be done by Indian manufacturers and engineers in world-class aviation solutions.
It is in line with India's mission of self-reliance and at a moment when the civil aviation industry is growing very fast, and such innovations are imperative for sustainable growth and future competitiveness.
Sources: Mathrubhumi, Economic Times
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