Texas-based Venus Aerospace is building a hypersonic aircraft that can emulate and perhaps overtake the highs achieved by&nbsp;the legendary Concorde. The aircraft named 'Stargazer is expected to carry about a dozen passengers and travel at Mach 9 or nine times the speed of sound, which equates to about 8,000km/h (5,000mph).&nbsp;

Measuring&nbsp;50 feet long by 100 feet wide,&nbsp;Stargazer is designed to hurtle from San Francisco to Tokyo in a record one hour – 11 times faster than today’s flight time. By comparison, Concorde, which operated between 1973-2003 travelled at Mach 2 or about, 1,535 mph. The fastest aircraft ever built, Lockheed’s SR-71 “Blackbird,” travelled at Mach 3.2 (2,455 mph).

Venus co-founder and CTO Andrew Duggleby said the one-hour global transport could be turned into reality using a&nbsp;combination of jet and rocket engines.&nbsp;Duggleby said Stargazer would take off using traditional jet engines but once it is away from the urban dwellings, it would employ rocket engines to climb to&nbsp;170,000 feet and reach hypersonic speeds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-first-homegrown-passenger-jet-c919-embarks-on-maiden-commercial-flight-597356">Also read |&nbsp;China's first homegrown passenger jet C919 embarks on maiden commercial flight</a>

"Stargazer will take off from a primary airport with jet engines, then when away from city-center, our rocket engine will propel passengers gently to 170,000 feet and Mach 9, crossing 5000 miles in 1 hour. San Francisco to Japan. Houston To London. All with a 2-hour turn-around," the company claims on its website.&nbsp;

Speaking about how the idea of developing a hypersonic jet came into being, Sassie&nbsp;Duggleby, wife of Andrew, as well as chief executive officer at Venus Aerospace referred to an incident from 2018.&nbsp;

“We were on deployment in Japan when we were looking out at Tokyo Bay one afternoon and Andrew turned to me and said there’s this new rocket engine coming down the pipeline,” Sassie said. “And, he said if it’s ever proven, then we can put it on a plane and be home in an hour.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indigo-is-first-indian-airline-valued-at-over-1-trillion-rupees-609931">WATCH |&nbsp;Indigo is first Indian airline valued at over 1 trillion rupees</a>

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<h2 data-v-3ea23604="" data-v-e5d603e4="">Technology breakthrough needed</h2>

However, reaching the ambitious target is not as easy as it seems. Venus will require a technological breakthrough if&nbsp;Stargazer is to complete the&nbsp;San Francisco to Tokyo journey. The company will have to develop&nbsp;the “world’s first liquid-propellant rotating detonation rocket engine”.&nbsp;Currently, rocket engines burn subsonically which is not enough to power Stargazer's Mach 9 speed.&nbsp;

“Rotating detonation means the supersonic combustion happens continuously inside the engine and our video shows the detonation wave moving around the engine at supersonic speeds,” said Andrew.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Texas-based Venus Aerospace is building a hypersonic aircraft that can emulate and perhaps overtake the highs achieved by the legendary Concorde. The aircraft named 'Stargazer is expected to carry about a dozen passengers and travel at Mach 9 or nine times the speed of sound, which equates to about 8,000km/h (5,000mph).

Texas-based Venus Aerospace is building a hypersonic aircraft that can emulate and perhaps overtake the highs achieved by the legendary Concorde. The aircraft named 'Stargazer is expected to carry about a dozen passengers and travel at Mach 9 or nine times the speed of sound, which equates to about 8,000km/h (5,000mph). Measuring 50 feet long by 100 feet wide, Stargazer is designed to hurtle from San Francisco to Tokyo in a record one hour – 11 times faster than today’s flight time. By comparison, Concorde, which operated between 1973-2003 travelled at Mach 2 or about, 1,535 mph. The fastest aircraft ever built, Lockheed’s SR-71 “Blackbird,” travelled at Mach 3.2 (2,455 mph). Venus co-founder and CTO Andrew Duggleby said the one-hour global transport could be turned into reality using a combination of jet and rocket engines. Duggleby said Stargazer would take off using traditional jet engines but once it is away from the urban dwellings, it would employ rocket engines to climb to 170,000 feet and reach hypersonic speeds. Also read | China's first homegrown passenger jet C919 embarks on maiden commercial flight "Stargazer will take off from a primary airport with jet engines, then when away from city-center, our rocket engine will propel passengers gently to 170,000 feet and Mach 9, crossing 5000 miles in 1 hour. San Francisco to Japan. Houston To London. All with a 2-hour turn-around," the company claims on its website. Speaking about how the idea of developing a hypersonic jet came into being, Sassie Duggleby, wife of Andrew, as well as chief executive officer at Venus Aerospace referred to an incident from 2018. “We were on deployment in Japan when we were looking out at Tokyo Bay one afternoon and Andrew turned to me and said there’s this new rocket engine coming down the pipeline,” Sassie said. “And, he said if it’s ever proven, then we can put it on a plane and be home in an hour.” WATCH | Indigo is first Indian airline valued at over 1 trillion rupees × Technology breakthrough needed However, reaching the ambitious target is not as easy as it seems. Venus will require a technological breakthrough if Stargazer is to complete the San Francisco to Tokyo journey. The company will have to develop the “world’s first liquid-propellant rotating detonation rocket engine”. Currently, rocket engines burn subsonically which is not enough to power Stargazer's Mach 9 speed. “Rotating detonation means the supersonic combustion happens continuously inside the engine and our video shows the detonation wave moving around the engine at supersonic speeds,” said Andrew. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Stargazer', the new hypersonic jet that will take you from Tokyo to San Francisco in an hour

In a major boost for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), China has delivered the first overhauled multi-role JF-17 fighter jet to Islamabad as part of a project undertaken by the two countries over a decade ago for the development and manufacture of the aircraft.

China and Pakistan had begun joint development and manufacture of the single-engine light JF-17 jets over a decade ago. Beijing delivered the first batch in 2007 and a number of them were later commissioned by the PAF, state-run Global Times reported on Wednesday.

After a decade of use, it was time for the first JF-17s to undergo overhauls, the report quoted military analysts as saying, adding that the first overhaul started in November 2017 after a contract was signed between the two sides in 2016.&nbsp;

Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) reassembled the jet and delivered it to its Pakistani client in March, the daily quoted a report by China Aviation News.&nbsp;

This is also the first time AVIC has overhauled a made-for-export third generation fighter, or fourth generation according to another widely used standard, the report said.

"The first [JF-17] overhaul marks an important milestone [in the JF-17 project]," Fu Qianshao, a Chinese air defence expert, said.

It represents the trial-and-error phase of the project and provided experience in establishing standards for other JF-17 overhauls in future, Qianshao said.

The overhaul of the fighter jet includes major maintenance, featuring repairs and replacement of old components, including the airframe and engine.

Also, a Block 3 variant of the JF-17 is under development. It is expected to be much more powerful than the previous two blocks due to new China-developed active electronically scanned array radar, the report said.

Though China has made significant strides in avionics and developed new range of war planes including stealth fighters, it is yet to develop engines for its planes, including JF-17 and mostly rely on Russian supplies.

Qianshao said that while standard, regular maintenance could be done by the military, an overhaul usually needs to be conducted by a designated and more capable supplier due to higher complexity.

Such an overhaul can ensure flight safety after years of use. It might also equip the aircraft with newer technologies that enhance its capability, or prolong the aircraft's lifespan, he said.

Pakistan sent dozens of trainees to China, who had close communication and built deep friendships with Chinese engineers during the overhaul process. 
Qianshao said since procedures and standards for the overhaul have been established, future overhauls on other JF-17s could be done by Pakistani personnel.

"Under the framework of China-Pakistan cooperation, Pakistan's aviation industry will continue to develop," he noted.

JF-17 has become a mainstay of the PAF in recent years after US restricted sales of F-16 war planes after the 1990 arms embargo imposed on Pakistan under the Pressler amendment. It is reported to have over 100 JF-17 planes with more in the pipeline.&nbsp;

JF17 is part of close defence cooperation between the two countries under which China has become a major supplier of arms to Pakistan. China is currently building four new modern naval warships for Pakistan.&nbsp;

In a major boost for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), China has delivered the first overhauled multi-role JF-17 fighter jet to Islamabad as part of a project undertaken by the two countries over a decade ago for the development and manufacture of the aircraft.

In a major boost for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), China has delivered the first overhauled multi-role JF-17 fighter jet to Islamabad as part of a project undertaken by the two countries over a decade ago for the development and manufacture of the aircraft. China and Pakistan had begun joint development and manufacture of the single-engine light JF-17 jets over a decade ago. Beijing delivered the first batch in 2007 and a number of them were later commissioned by the PAF, state-run Global Times reported on Wednesday. After a decade of use, it was time for the first JF-17s to undergo overhauls, the report quoted military analysts as saying, adding that the first overhaul started in November 2017 after a contract was signed between the two sides in 2016. Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) reassembled the jet and delivered it to its Pakistani client in March, the daily quoted a report by China Aviation News. This is also the first time AVIC has overhauled a made-for-export third generation fighter, or fourth generation according to another widely used standard, the report said. "The first [JF-17] overhaul marks an important milestone [in the JF-17 project]," Fu Qianshao, a Chinese air defence expert, said. It represents the trial-and-error phase of the project and provided experience in establishing standards for other JF-17 overhauls in future, Qianshao said. The overhaul of the fighter jet includes major maintenance, featuring repairs and replacement of old components, including the airframe and engine. Also, a Block 3 variant of the JF-17 is under development. It is expected to be much more powerful than the previous two blocks due to new China-developed active electronically scanned array radar, the report said. Though China has made significant strides in avionics and developed new range of war planes including stealth fighters, it is yet to develop engines for its planes, including JF-17 and mostly rely on Russian supplies. Qianshao said that while standard, regular maintenance could be done by the military, an overhaul usually needs to be conducted by a designated and more capable supplier due to higher complexity. Such an overhaul can ensure flight safety after years of use. It might also equip the aircraft with newer technologies that enhance its capability, or prolong the aircraft's lifespan, he said. Pakistan sent dozens of trainees to China, who had close communication and built deep friendships with Chinese engineers during the overhaul process. Qianshao said since procedures and standards for the overhaul have been established, future overhauls on other JF-17s could be done by Pakistani personnel. "Under the framework of China-Pakistan cooperation, Pakistan's aviation industry will continue to develop," he noted. JF-17 has become a mainstay of the PAF in recent years after US restricted sales of F-16 war planes after the 1990 arms embargo imposed on Pakistan under the Pressler amendment. It is reported to have over 100 JF-17 planes with more in the pipeline. JF17 is part of close defence cooperation between the two countries under which China has become a major supplier of arms to Pakistan. China is currently building four new modern naval warships for Pakistan.

China delivers first overhauled JF-17 fighter jet to Pakistan

"Jet Airways employee Shailesh Kumar Singh committed suicide because he had no hope left and there could be more victims if the government does not intervene in the Jet Airways crisis," said Asim Valiani vice president of the National Aviators Guild (NAG) on Sunday.

"Shailesh passed away yesterday by committing suicide. We do not want it to become a repeat of the Kingfisher airlines debacle. We are also extremely disappointed by the government not doing anything to help the 22,000 employees of Jet Airways, we are afraid that at this rate there could be more suicides. His (Shailesh Singh) son is also an employee of Jet Airways and they simply had no money, of course, he was suffering from cancer but this is not the way to go," said Valiani talking to ANI.

Shailesh Kumar Singh, a senior technician in Jet Airways, was suffering from stomach cancer and the crisis surrounding the Airline had allegedly forced him to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jet-airways-employee-commits-suicide-214024">commit suicide by jumping off a building in Mumbai on April 26</a>.

Valiani also added that the employees of Jet were completely clueless of their fate and with each passing day were losing hope and appealed that all the political parties should come together to find a solution to the crisis surrounding the airlines.

He said,&nbsp;"Subramanian Swamy has raised some very important issues, even we want to know who is running Jet Airways, the old promoters have resigned and there is no new one to take his place."

"We have been appealing to the government to intervene so that the livelihood of 22,000 employees is not hampered; we even met the Finance Minister. I would request all the political parties to come together and find a solution to our problem."&nbsp;

"Jet Airways employee Shailesh Kumar Singh committed suicide because he had no hope left and there could be more victims if the government does not intervene in the Jet Airways crisis," said Asim Valiani vice president of the National Aviators Guild (NAG) on Sunday.

"Jet Airways employee Shailesh Kumar Singh committed suicide because he had no hope left and there could be more victims if the government does not intervene in the Jet Airways crisis," said Asim Valiani vice president of the National Aviators Guild (NAG) on Sunday. "Shailesh passed away yesterday by committing suicide. We do not want it to become a repeat of the Kingfisher airlines debacle. We are also extremely disappointed by the government not doing anything to help the 22,000 employees of Jet Airways, we are afraid that at this rate there could be more suicides. His (Shailesh Singh) son is also an employee of Jet Airways and they simply had no money, of course, he was suffering from cancer but this is not the way to go," said Valiani talking to ANI. Shailesh Kumar Singh, a senior technician in Jet Airways, was suffering from stomach cancer and the crisis surrounding the Airline had allegedly forced him to commit suicide by jumping off a building in Mumbai on April 26. Valiani also added that the employees of Jet were completely clueless of their fate and with each passing day were losing hope and appealed that all the political parties should come together to find a solution to the crisis surrounding the airlines. He said, "Subramanian Swamy has raised some very important issues, even we want to know who is running Jet Airways, the old promoters have resigned and there is no new one to take his place." "We have been appealing to the government to intervene so that the livelihood of 22,000 employees is not hampered; we even met the Finance Minister. I would request all the political parties to come together and find a solution to our problem."

More people might follow suit if government doesn't intervene: NAG on Jet employee's suicide

Civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said today that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/jet-airways-shares-sink-8-amid-reports-of-temporary-shutdown-of-operations-210939">Jet Airways has sought emergency </a>funds from banks.

The minister informed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/jet-airways-crisis-naresh-goyal-opts-out-of-bidding-process-shut-down-threat-looms-210852">cash-strapped airlines </a>has been operating just five planes. The airline had more than 120 aircraft operating a year ago.

Jet Airways said it is awaiting "emergency liquidity support" from the SBI-led consortium of lenders to arrest further deterioration in its services.&nbsp;Kharola said the airlines has sought Rs 400 crores emergency funds from banks.

"The company's leadership, in consultation with its board of directors, is engaged with lenders in connection with the said emergency funding request... The company is also in constant engagement with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard," it said in a filing to the BSE.

The filing was made in response to a clarification sought by the exchange regarding reports that the airline was likely to temporarily shut down its operations.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRFGV14BNyE" width="560"></iframe>

On Monday, Jet Airways shares tanked eight per cent amid reports of a shutdown. The scrip tumbled 7.62 per cent to close at Rs 241.85 on the BSE. During the day, it had plummeted 18.56 per cent to Rs 213.20.

Reports said Jet's lenders have been attempting to bring in a new investor to buy a stake of up to 75 per cent in the airline and initial expressions of interest were submitted last week.

Amid these reports, former Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal has opted out from bidding for stake acquisition in the ailing airline.

News agency Reuters reported that Jet Airways management has proposed to suspend all operations of the debt-laden airline at the board meeting today.

On Monday, the airline in a letter to its employees had said it planned to extend its suspension of international flights until Thursday as it had not received any interim funding from lenders.

The airline, which over and above its bank borrowings owes money to its lessors, staff and others, has been struggling for weeks after failing to receive a stop-gap loan of about $217 million from its lenders as part of a rescue deal agreed in late March.

The airways is currently reeling under $1.2 billion in debt with its air operations at a near-standstill.

Meanwhile, Aviation regulator DGCA said it would continue to monitor airfare movements on a daily basis and also engage with other airlines for appropriate action in the wake of Jet Airways curtailing operations which has severely impacted flights on a number of routes.

Earlier in the day, civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu had called for a review of issues related to struggling Jet Airways which including rising fares and flight cancellations.

"Airlines representative intimated DGCA that they have removed the few higher buckets from sale and offering tickets to passengers in lower fare buckets," the aviation regulator said.

Civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said today that Jet Airways has sought emergency funds from banks. The minister informed that the cash-strapped airlines has been operating just five planes.

Civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said today that Jet Airways has sought emergency funds from banks. The minister informed that the cash-strapped airlines has been operating just five planes. The airline had more than 120 aircraft operating a year ago. Jet Airways said it is awaiting "emergency liquidity support" from the SBI-led consortium of lenders to arrest further deterioration in its services. Kharola said the airlines has sought Rs 400 crores emergency funds from banks. "The company's leadership, in consultation with its board of directors, is engaged with lenders in connection with the said emergency funding request... The company is also in constant engagement with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard," it said in a filing to the BSE. The filing was made in response to a clarification sought by the exchange regarding reports that the airline was likely to temporarily shut down its operations. On Monday, Jet Airways shares tanked eight per cent amid reports of a shutdown. The scrip tumbled 7.62 per cent to close at Rs 241.85 on the BSE. During the day, it had plummeted 18.56 per cent to Rs 213.20. Reports said Jet's lenders have been attempting to bring in a new investor to buy a stake of up to 75 per cent in the airline and initial expressions of interest were submitted last week. Amid these reports, former Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal has opted out from bidding for stake acquisition in the ailing airline. News agency Reuters reported that Jet Airways management has proposed to suspend all operations of the debt-laden airline at the board meeting today. On Monday, the airline in a letter to its employees had said it planned to extend its suspension of international flights until Thursday as it had not received any interim funding from lenders. The airline, which over and above its bank borrowings owes money to its lessors, staff and others, has been struggling for weeks after failing to receive a stop-gap loan of about $217 million from its lenders as part of a rescue deal agreed in late March. The airways is currently reeling under $1.2 billion in debt with its air operations at a near-standstill. Meanwhile, Aviation regulator DGCA said it would continue to monitor airfare movements on a daily basis and also engage with other airlines for appropriate action in the wake of Jet Airways curtailing operations which has severely impacted flights on a number of routes. Earlier in the day, civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu had called for a review of issues related to struggling Jet Airways which including rising fares and flight cancellations. "Airlines representative intimated DGCA that they have removed the few higher buckets from sale and offering tickets to passengers in lower fare buckets," the aviation regulator said.

Jet Airways has sought Rs 400 crore emergency funds from banks, operation five planes currently: Civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola

A major crisis at the struggling carrier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/naresh-goyal-quits-jet-airways-205510">Jet Airways</a> was averted Sunday after its pilots' body, National Aviator's Guild (NAG), deferred till April 15 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/jet-airways-suspends-services-to-13-international-routes-till-end-april-205012">its call for halting operations</a>.

The decision was taken at an open house meeting of NAG members which took place in both Mumbai and Delhi on Sunday afternoon, NAG president Karan Chopra told reporters after the meeting which lasted about four hours.

The NAG, which claims to represent around 1,100 of the 1,600 Jet Airways pilots, had announced earlier that its members will not fly from April 1, unless their salary dues were cleared and clarity was provided on future payments by March 31.

"The management has shown us a positive intent by transferring our (December) salary and we thought we should give them at least a couple of weeks to settle down and form the interim board and solve our issues which they have already spoken about earlier.

"Therefore, the collective call taken by the pilots in both Mumbai and Delhi of no flying, which was supposed to start from April 1, has now been deferred to April 15 in a hope that something positive pans out in two weeks," Chopra said.

On March 21 the NAG had requested the government to intervene for the survival of Jet Airways, after which State Bank of India (SBI) stated that the lenders will infuse interim funding of Rs 1,500 crore to sustain its operations for the next two months.

Last Monday, Jet Airways' board approved a resolution plan formulated by SBI-led domestic lenders.

Under the plan, lenders decided to take control of the airline and make a fund infusion of Rs 1,500 crore.

It has been only six days since the lenders, who are now the new owners, announced additional funding to Jet Airways, and that is why they should be given more time to resolve the issues, Chopra said.

He, however, urged SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar to hold a meeting with pilots' representatives for a clear assessment of the affairs at the airline.

SBI had said the salaries will be paid out of the interim funding, Chopra noted, adding that last night pilots were intimated about disbursal of remaining 87.50 per cent of the December salary.

Jet Airways has been defaulting on salary payments to pilots, engineers and senior management since August 2018.

Its engineers have also reportedly threatened to stop work from April 1 if their dues were not cleared by March 31.

The loss-making airline, now under the ownership of SBI-led consortium of lenders following a debt-recast plan, said Saturday that it could remit only the remaining amount of December salary to pilots and others, as of now.

"Currently, along with engineers and senior staff, we are three salaries behind. In totality, it is up to 300 per cent which is slightly more than the 287.50 per cent dues last time. The total payout of salary for pilots, engineers and general managers and above-level executives would be in the range of Rs 320-350 crore for the period between January and March this year," Chopra said.

The clearing of remaining dues will be in conjunction with interim funding, as per Jet Airways chief executive Vinay Dube, Chopra informed.

The NAG chief added that now the pilots are hoping that interim funding comes in and remaining dues get cleared.

The NAG hopes that the interim funding continues, but it is not sure about the amount that will come in and how much will be the subsequent pay-out, Chopra stated.

"We urge for a meeting with SBI as early as possible. Ever since our last request, we haven't heard back from him (SBI chairman)," Chopra said.

NAG General Secretary Tej Sood, in a letter to Kumar on March 25, had sought a meeting so that the pilots could get "an idea of the recovery roadmap".

A major crisis at the struggling carrier Jet Airways was averted Sunday after its pilots' body, National Aviator's Guild (NAG), deferred till April 15 its call for halting operations.

A major crisis at the struggling carrier Jet Airways was averted Sunday after its pilots' body, National Aviator's Guild (NAG), deferred till April 15 its call for halting operations. The decision was taken at an open house meeting of NAG members which took place in both Mumbai and Delhi on Sunday afternoon, NAG president Karan Chopra told reporters after the meeting which lasted about four hours. The NAG, which claims to represent around 1,100 of the 1,600 Jet Airways pilots, had announced earlier that its members will not fly from April 1, unless their salary dues were cleared and clarity was provided on future payments by March 31. "The management has shown us a positive intent by transferring our (December) salary and we thought we should give them at least a couple of weeks to settle down and form the interim board and solve our issues which they have already spoken about earlier. "Therefore, the collective call taken by the pilots in both Mumbai and Delhi of no flying, which was supposed to start from April 1, has now been deferred to April 15 in a hope that something positive pans out in two weeks," Chopra said. On March 21 the NAG had requested the government to intervene for the survival of Jet Airways, after which State Bank of India (SBI) stated that the lenders will infuse interim funding of Rs 1,500 crore to sustain its operations for the next two months. Last Monday, Jet Airways' board approved a resolution plan formulated by SBI-led domestic lenders. Under the plan, lenders decided to take control of the airline and make a fund infusion of Rs 1,500 crore. It has been only six days since the lenders, who are now the new owners, announced additional funding to Jet Airways, and that is why they should be given more time to resolve the issues, Chopra said. He, however, urged SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar to hold a meeting with pilots' representatives for a clear assessment of the affairs at the airline. SBI had said the salaries will be paid out of the interim funding, Chopra noted, adding that last night pilots were intimated about disbursal of remaining 87.50 per cent of the December salary. Jet Airways has been defaulting on salary payments to pilots, engineers and senior management since August 2018. Its engineers have also reportedly threatened to stop work from April 1 if their dues were not cleared by March 31. The loss-making airline, now under the ownership of SBI-led consortium of lenders following a debt-recast plan, said Saturday that it could remit only the remaining amount of December salary to pilots and others, as of now. "Currently, along with engineers and senior staff, we are three salaries behind. In totality, it is up to 300 per cent which is slightly more than the 287.50 per cent dues last time. The total payout of salary for pilots, engineers and general managers and above-level executives would be in the range of Rs 320-350 crore for the period between January and March this year," Chopra said. The clearing of remaining dues will be in conjunction with interim funding, as per Jet Airways chief executive Vinay Dube, Chopra informed. The NAG chief added that now the pilots are hoping that interim funding comes in and remaining dues get cleared. The NAG hopes that the interim funding continues, but it is not sure about the amount that will come in and how much will be the subsequent pay-out, Chopra stated. "We urge for a meeting with SBI as early as possible. Ever since our last request, we haven't heard back from him (SBI chairman)," Chopra said. NAG General Secretary Tej Sood, in a letter to Kumar on March 25, had sought a meeting so that the pilots could get "an idea of the recovery roadmap".

Jet Airways pilots defer strike, say will now stop flying after April 15

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