02-12-2008, 04:05 PM
<b>Work on Saras aircraft moving as per schedule</b>
Work on the multi-purpose aircraft, Saras, was progressing significantly and was "moving as per schedule," a senior Saras was in operation, Air Commodore M Matheswaran, Commandant, ATSE, told reporters here.
Speaking on the progress on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) front, P S Subramanayam, Director, Aeronautical Development Agency, said the development of LCA was progressing and about 15 to 20 per cent of the work remains.
"Performance wise we have been able to convince the users and should be able to push for the initial operation clearance which we target for 2010", he said.
Work on Saras, the first Indian multipurpose civilian aircraft in the Light Transport Aircraft category and designed by National Aerospace Laboratory (NAC) in cooperation with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), began in 1991.
Saras first prototype completed its maiden flight at HAL airport on May 2004 with a flight duration of 20 minutes and an altitude of 2000 metres. However, the prototype was overweight by around 900 kgs.
Work on the multi-purpose aircraft, Saras, was progressing significantly and was "moving as per schedule," a senior Saras was in operation, Air Commodore M Matheswaran, Commandant, ATSE, told reporters here.
Speaking on the progress on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) front, P S Subramanayam, Director, Aeronautical Development Agency, said the development of LCA was progressing and about 15 to 20 per cent of the work remains.
"Performance wise we have been able to convince the users and should be able to push for the initial operation clearance which we target for 2010", he said.
Work on Saras, the first Indian multipurpose civilian aircraft in the Light Transport Aircraft category and designed by National Aerospace Laboratory (NAC) in cooperation with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), began in 1991.
Saras first prototype completed its maiden flight at HAL airport on May 2004 with a flight duration of 20 minutes and an altitude of 2000 metres. However, the prototype was overweight by around 900 kgs.