‘SARAS’
TO ROLL OUT TOMORROW AT BANGALORE AIR SHOW
‘SARAS’, India’s
first civilian aircraft, a 14-seater will roll out tomorrow
as part of the Bangalore Air show, without taking to wings. It
will take about six months before ‘SARAS’ could soar into the
sky on its maiden test flight, after clearance from DGCA.
Built indigenously
by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Banagalore, in collaboration
with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and some private enterprises,
the aircraft will usher in the dawn of civilian aircraft industry
in India in a big way. India first ventured into civilian aircraft
production and came out with the two seater ‘HANSA’ in 2000 which
is best suited for training, sport and hobby flying. Several countries
including Australia are keen on HANSA.
The 150 crore rupee
SARAS project was delayed due to sanctions by the West in the
wake of Pokhran-2 tests. This has in a way helped India in major
indigenisation of the plane.
The twin turbo prop
multi-role SARAS is highly suited for short hops in the commuter
role as well as long range high speed cruise in the executive
transport role. It can cruise at a maximum speed of 520 km/hr
with a ferry range of 1942 kms. Ideal for use in far-flung, remote
and hilly areas SARAS can also serve as a light package carrier,
remote sensing, ariel research service, coast guard, border patrol
besides as air ambulance.
