NAL looking for partners in its turbo-powered aircraft project

Bangalore: National Aerospace Labs (NAL), India’s only civilian aerospace lab, is looking for partners for its turbo-powered civil aircraft project.
Dr. A. R. Upadhya, NAL’s Director, said that they were looking for partners, domestic or international, who would be able to assist in the design, technology, production and marketing of the aircraft.
Named RTA-70, the 90-seater aircraft will cost around Rs. 2,500 crore and will be developed over the next five to seven years. Taking into consideration the ever increasing fuel costs, Dr. Upadhya was of the opinion that turbo propeller- powered aircraft are the way ahead for short- haul flights and regional air transport. Unlike the expensive and high maintenance turbo prop aircraft used today, the RTA-70 will be a low-cost aircraft with newer, cleaner and more efficient technologies.
Meanwhile, NAL’s other project, the 14-seater Saras aircraft, may go for flight certification by the middle of 2010. Two of the prototypes that have been built have completed more than 100 flights. The third version of the Saras aircraft ,which will be 500 kg lighter, will be ready for test flights by June 2009.
27/06/08 Anand/Machinist.in

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Categories: Foreign Jun 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Jun 2008, New Jun 2008