Hello People!
In this blog we will talk about the civil aircraft Hindustan – 228. The public sector undertaking of the Defence Ministry, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully carried out ground tests for making a civilian aircraft named ‘Hindustan-228’.
We will discuss further in the blog about the aircraft, its key features, importance and other facts.
Background
Despite producing aircrafts like the Hindustan Trainer-2 and its variant – the Hindustan Propulsion Trainer 32 (HPT-32) – for the Indian Air Force six decades ago, and more recently the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the IAF. Indian aviation has not produced any civil transport aircraft.
On August 15, the public sector aircraft manufacturing company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) carried out a successful ground run and low speed taxi trials of a commercial aircraft – Hindustan-228-for Type Certification by the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation).
About Hindustan 228 (Do-228)
- The 19-seater Hindustan-228 or the Do-228 is the first major attempt in India to develop a small civil transport aircraft. The 14-seater Saras aircraft development program at the National Aeronautics Laboratory was shelved in 2009 on account of multiple problems in its development.
- The Hindustan-228 aircraft is built on the existing frame of the German Dornier 228 defence transport aircraft used by the defence forces.
- It has a digital cockpit, which ensures more accurate readings, precise information, and required data displays, as well as feedback loops and self-check capability to alert pilots in emergencies.
- Two civil Do-228 produced by HAL for launch under UDAN scheme have a maximum take off weight of 6200 kgs.
- The type certification by the DGCA will enable HAL to get an international certification for the aircraft.
- The aircraft complies with airworthiness requirements prescribed by the US Federal Aviation Authority for ‘normal, utility, acrobatic and commuter’ planes.
WHY IS HAL BUILDING CIVIL AIRCRAFT?
Small civilian aircrafts are considered to be an essential element of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme that the central government is attempting to put in place for regional connectivity.
Union civil aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said recently that the central government aims to set up 1,000 new air routes and establish 100 new airports, under the UDAN scheme. Two civil demonstrators of Do-228 have already been made and are ready to be deployed in the North East and Uttar Pradesh.
UTILITY OF THIS AIRCRAFT
The Hindustan-228 is conceived to be a multirole utility aircraft capable of being used for VIP transport, passenger transport, air ambulance, flight inspection roles, cloud seeding, and recreational activities like para jumping, aerial surveillance, photography, remote sensing and cargo transport.
With a maximum cruise speed of 428 kmph and a range of 700 kmph the aircraft is capable of night flying.
This aircraft could be utilised successfully by civil operators and State Governments for their intra- and inter-state connectivity with seamless support towards training, maintenance and logistics
HAL is looking forward to exporting the aircraft as well to countries like Nepal.
Current development Status
The Do-228 fulfilled the requirement of a Light Transport Aircraft (LTA) within the defence forces. HAL has produced a total of 125 Dornier 228 under license at Kanpur since 1983. On December 26, 2017 the DGCA cleared HAL Do-228 to be used for civilian flights.
Two civil Do-228 produced by HAL for launch under UDAN scheme have a maximum takeoff weight of 6200 kgs. In order for the transport aircraft to be flyable under Commercial Pilot License category HAL has to reduce the aircraft weight below 5700 Kgs.
A high speed trial is to be conducted soon and will certify the aircraft after which it will become more usable.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company. HAL is Asia’s premier aeronautical complex, specialising in the design, manufacture, repair, overhaul, and upgrade of aircraft and helicopters.
Today, HAL is one of the world’s oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers today.
Chairman and Managing Director – R Madhavan
Headquarter – Bengaluru, Karnataka
UDAN Scheme
The Ministry launched the ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’ (UDAN) Regional Connectivity Scheme in October 2016 to make air travel more accessible to residents of regional cities.
This is the world’s first programme of its kind to use a market-based mechanism to promote regional connectivity. Small civilian aircraft are regarded as an essential component of the UDAN.
The scheme’s goal is to create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes, so that flying becomes affordable to the average person, even in small towns.
The scheme is available for a period of 10 years.
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