Bangalore: A re-engined and modified version of the 14-seater Saras, the Light Transport Aircraft being developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) may finally take off in 15 days. This comes weeks after Light Combat Aircraft Tejas obtained the initial operational clearance-2, almost 30 years since conception.
NAL director Shyam Chetty told TOI: "The aircraft has been handed over to the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment of the Indian Air Force which is doing the ground-runs and familiarization."
He said the original crew members were injured so a new crew is being put together. "Once that's done the low-speed taxi trials will begin," he said, adding that this would be followed by high-speed taxi trials and nose-turning tests.
"Those tests will be completed in 15 days and then aircraft will be ready for its first flight," he said. Saras won't be able to take to the skies without clearances from the safety review board and the first flight review board.
10/01/14 Chethan Kumar/Times of India
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NAL director Shyam Chetty told TOI: "The aircraft has been handed over to the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment of the Indian Air Force which is doing the ground-runs and familiarization."
He said the original crew members were injured so a new crew is being put together. "Once that's done the low-speed taxi trials will begin," he said, adding that this would be followed by high-speed taxi trials and nose-turning tests.
"Those tests will be completed in 15 days and then aircraft will be ready for its first flight," he said. Saras won't be able to take to the skies without clearances from the safety review board and the first flight review board.
10/01/14 Chethan Kumar/Times of India
