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Saras makes maiden flight
Bangalore, DHNS:
The second prototype of Saras, the indigenous 14-seater multi-role light transport aircraft, made its successful maiden flight in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Indiaâs first indigenous civil aircraft, is being developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), a constituent unit of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Wing Cdr R S Makker was the chief test pilot for Wednesdayâs flight. He was joined by Wing Cdr A Malik as the co-pilot and Wing Cdr M S Ramamohan as the flight engineer.
All the personnel belong to the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the IAF, which is the flight testing organisation for Saras, an NAL statement said.
The first prototype of Saras made its maiden flight on May 29, 2004. NAL said several improvements had been made in the second prototype, the most important ones being the incorporation of two higher power engines - PT 6A-67A with 1,200 horsepower each in place of the PT6A-66 of 850 HP each used in the first prototype - and new propellers of larger diameter.
The improvements, it said, had brought the second prototype much closer to the final production standard aircraft.
A weight optimisation programme was also taken up with a target to reduce the aircraftâs weight by 500 kg, the release said.
Another prototype will be built to the final production standard and proved through a combination of ground and flight tests.
http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr192007/state2335132007418.asp
Bangalore, DHNS:
The second prototype of Saras, the indigenous 14-seater multi-role light transport aircraft, made its successful maiden flight in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Indiaâs first indigenous civil aircraft, is being developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), a constituent unit of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Wing Cdr R S Makker was the chief test pilot for Wednesdayâs flight. He was joined by Wing Cdr A Malik as the co-pilot and Wing Cdr M S Ramamohan as the flight engineer.
All the personnel belong to the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment (ASTE) of the IAF, which is the flight testing organisation for Saras, an NAL statement said.
The first prototype of Saras made its maiden flight on May 29, 2004. NAL said several improvements had been made in the second prototype, the most important ones being the incorporation of two higher power engines - PT 6A-67A with 1,200 horsepower each in place of the PT6A-66 of 850 HP each used in the first prototype - and new propellers of larger diameter.
The improvements, it said, had brought the second prototype much closer to the final production standard aircraft.
A weight optimisation programme was also taken up with a target to reduce the aircraftâs weight by 500 kg, the release said.
Another prototype will be built to the final production standard and proved through a combination of ground and flight tests.
http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr192007/state2335132007418.asp
