Indian Military Aviation News and Discussion

[Guest]

HAL needs to concentrate on aircraft manufacture and not waste capabilities building doors, door mats, and toilet seats for other companies under the guise of "offsets".

On the contrary its a pride of the Indian company making aircraft parts for Boeing, even China does. More than 40% of HAL's revenues come from international deals to manufacture aircraft engines, spare parts, and other aircraft materials. There is no reason to abandon or not pursue US$1 billion contract to manufacture aircraft parts for Boeing, besides job creation opportunities.....remember India is a land of billion plus souls!

Two examples stand out in this regard to show HAL's lack of focus. 1. The Dhruv is truly a world-class helicopter. The manner in which the Ecuador crash was handled was appalling!

QUOTE:

Ecuadorian pilots have undergone extensive flying training on DHRUV at HAL’s facilities and had expressed happiness with the handling qualities , advanced avionics and safety features of Dhruv during interactions with HAL instructors who flew training missions with them in India and Ecuador, Ecuadorian Air Force has successfully carried out several missions in their DHRUVs in their difficult terrains and has logged 860 hours. It appears from the reported statements attributed to the top officials of the Ecuadorian Air force that the helicopter may have been maneuvered excessively.

2. The HJT-36 is a very fine design. HAL needs to take its manufacture and export as a trainer and light ground support A/C seriously. There's a significant market for the HJT-36 class of A/C in S. America, SE Asia, and even parts of Africa. This it (HAL) simply has failed to do.

HJT has few flaws:



QUOTE:

In February 2007, during takeoff from Yelahanka airbase near Bangalore, the first prototype aircraft built by HAL suffered serious damage after its canopy flew open, causing the aircraft to veer to the right, shattering an oleo strut, bursting a tyre, snapping the port wing tip and major damage to the starboard wing. The aircraft finally collapsed in a heap of dust and smoke, but there was no injury to pilot Sqn Ldr Baldev Singh, the aircraft programme's chief test pilot. The aircraft was participating in the Aero India 2007 air show.



On February 4, 2009 PT-2 landed on its belly after a routine aerobatic sortie. The aircraft was piloted by HAL’s Executive Director - Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) Squadron Leader Baldev Singh (retd.) and Wing Commander C. Subramaniam, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot on deputation to HAL. There was structural damage to the undercarriage and belly, the doors and one of the wing tips.