Saras back from the brink again as NAL targets 2013 certification

After a break of two years, Bangalore's National Aerospace Laboratories has resumed development of its Saras 14-seat multi-role transport aircraft following production authorisation approval by India's civil aviation authority.
The Saras programme has been hampered for more than two decades by a host of setbacks including political, technical and design issues. The latest delay came in 2009 when the second prototype of the twin-engined, push-prop aircraft crashed outside Bangalore, killing all three crew members.
NAL director Alevoor Upadhya says the company will press ahead with development of modified prototype. The first prototype will be upgraded to meet the latest design criteria including higher-thrust 1,200hp (895kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and improvements to the flight control and flight operations systems. A first flight is scheduled for August, says Upadhya, adding that NAL is working in parallel to reduce the weight of the first production aircraft by around 500kg.
25/02/11 Radhakrishna Rao/Flight Global

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

Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2011, New Feb 2011