Country’s first seaplane Jal Hans takes wings

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel launched Jal Hans, the first seaplane of Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited, at a ceremony held in Mumbai today.
Seaplanes would also be introduced in other areas of India like Lakshadweep, Goa, Orissa. Seaplane, a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water, is ideal when island is far from land or when there is no landing strip. Unlike regular aircraft, these do not require a large runway.
This is the first time that seaplane operations have been introduced in India. Jal Hans is a Cessna Caravan 208. A Amphibian fitted with modern navigation features of any large jet. With a seating capacity of 10, of which eight are passenger seats, it can travel up to 250 km in about an hour and land on most calm waters. It can also land on ground using the wheels configuration.
The first seaplane service will be operationalised in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will connect Port Blair with Havelock and subsequently other islands in north Andaman. At Port Blair, it will operate from the airport, at Havelock and Diglipur, it will operate from a waterdromme.
27/12/10 Vibha Sharma/The Tribune

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2010, New Dec 2010