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New Delhi: As the Indian Air Force (IAF) prepares to phase out its basic trainer aircraft, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is planning to develop a turbo-prop plane to cater to the force's requirement for training its pilots.
"IAF is planning to phase out the HPT-32 'Deepak' aircraft by 2014. We are planning to develop a new turbo-prop for training IAF's entry-level pilots in the Air Force Academy (AFA)," HAL officials told PTI here.
The new aircraft, they said, would be equipped with latest training gadgets, head-up displays, ejection seats and retractable landing gears.
"It will have on-board computers and latest display equipment to helping the pilots to hone their flying-skills," officials said.
Unlike the HPT-32s, the new tandem-seat aircraft will have an air-conditioned cockpit allowing the cadet and trainer to have a "cool" flying experience, they said.
Powered by a single-engine, the aircraft will fly at a maximum speed of around 400 kms with a service-ceiling of 6000 metres.
HAL officials said that configuration and performance specification of the aircraft would be finalised after
discussions with the IAF.
"IAF is planning to phase out the HPT-32 'Deepak' aircraft by 2014. We are planning to develop a new turbo-prop for training IAF's entry-level pilots in the Air Force Academy (AFA)," HAL officials told PTI here.
The new aircraft, they said, would be equipped with latest training gadgets, head-up displays, ejection seats and retractable landing gears.
"It will have on-board computers and latest display equipment to helping the pilots to hone their flying-skills," officials said.
Unlike the HPT-32s, the new tandem-seat aircraft will have an air-conditioned cockpit allowing the cadet and trainer to have a "cool" flying experience, they said.
Powered by a single-engine, the aircraft will fly at a maximum speed of around 400 kms with a service-ceiling of 6000 metres.
HAL officials said that configuration and performance specification of the aircraft would be finalised after
discussions with the IAF.
