NAL plans civilian 90-seater

Hyderabad: After Hansa (two-seater) and Saras (14-seater), Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) is all set to build a 90-seater, regional transport aircraft (RTA).
NAL has already gained expertise in developing transport aircraft - Saras. Given the huge potential for small haul passenger travel within India and for cargo movement, the demand for such aircraft is high.
Mr Kota Harinarayana, former Programme Director of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), who is presently with NAL as the Raja Ramanna Fellow, is leading the design and development with a large team. He said the objective was to come up with a low-cost carrier which can land in all-weather conditions in small airports.
He said the development of the aircraft would take four-five years. The first of the test flights are expected during 2014-15. The involvement of private sector or large public sector companies would be explored from the initial stage of development. A host of latest technologies, light weight and tough materials such as composites and advanced features would be incorporated.
06/03/10 Business Line

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Categories: New Mar 2010