19-Seater Civil Aircraft By HAL
The aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has unveiled a 19-seater aircraft HINDUSTAN 228 in a major attempt to develop small civil transport aircraft. Hindustan 228 can be operated even in semi-prepared and unpaved airstrips.
Shri Apurba Roy, General Manager HAL said that there is a huge potential for small civil transport aircraft in the market as there are few in India and across the world that are designed for short-haul travel and can operate on a semi-prepared runway. The multi-utility aircraft can be used as an ambulance, cargo, and para jumping, among others.
“The design has been transferred to us from Dornier GmbH. This particular aircraft is under type certification and will have it in the name of Hindustan 228. All the testing parameters have been completed,” said Apurba Roy.
The HAL official said that the company is making six more such aircraft. The aircraft presently has no toilet and so the seating capacity will be reduced to 17 in case a toilet is added to it. The engine of the aircraft is also not made in India.
“There is a lot of interest shown from the state governments as well as private parties to make it deployable in the Udaan scheme,” Roy added.
HAL is also working on its own designed SARAS Mk2 for similar role. By the time 6 to 12 of Hindustan 228 are fully in service, the indigenous SARAS MK2 Should also be ready to enter service in the Uddan Scheme of the Govt.
