A first of its kind, indigenously developed aircraft trainer, HANSA-NG, developed by the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has completed sea level trials at Puducherry, a necessary prelude to it being evaluated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The HANSA-NG, or HANSA-New Generation, is reportedly one of the most advanced flying trainers, powered by a Rotax Digital Control Engine with features such as a composite light weight airframe, a glass cockpit, a bubble canopy with a wide panoramic view, and electrically operated flaps, among other features. The CSIR-NAL says that the HANSA-NG is designed to meet the need for trainer aircraft by flying clubs in India. “It is an ideal aircraft for Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) due to its low cost and low fuel consumption. NAL has already received more than 80 nos. of LoIs [Letters of Intent] from various flying clubs,” the organisation said in a statement.
The HANSA-NG had so far completed 37 flights and 50 hours of flying and a few more were necessary before securing “type certification” from the DGCA. This certification process is likely to be completed by April 2022, and thereafter will begin to be manufactured industry.
