Multi-mission aircraft's first prototype soon

Bangalore: The first prototype of multi-mission five-seater aircraft, NM5-100, jointly developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) and Mahindra Aerospace Limited will fly anytime in the coming days in Australia.
It is expected to complete the certification programme by the end of 2013.
But wait for NAL’s version of the prototype, despite NAL being the designer of the aircraft, will be long.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, NAL’s Sridhar Murthy said: “Mahindra’s Gippsland Aeronautics is making the first prototype in Australia and it is expected to fly anytime. May be in a week or two.”
Designed at CISR-NAL, the NM5-100 is the first aircraft developed under public-private partnership with Mahindra Aerospace Limited and can be used for varied applications, including pilot-training, air ambulance, cargo purposes besides for tourism promotion.
The prototype, subject to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) certification under the FAR23 regulations will be put through elaborate tests before being taken to the production level.
Competing with the Cessna aircraft which India uses for multi-missions, NAL officials claimed the NM5-100 would reduce costs by at least 15 to 20 per cent.
Also, the Mahindra group will, in order to take the aircraft to the global market, prepare prototypes for international certification.
There was no confirmation on the second prototype from both the stables, which was part of the original plan.
24/08/11 Chethan Kumar/Deccan Herald

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Categories: New Aug 2011