Source:-India’s first civil plane Saras takes to the skies after nearly a decade
A prototype of Saras, India’s first civil aeroplane, flew on Wednesday for nearly 40 minutes over the Bengaluru skies for the first time in nearly a decade, kindling hopes of a revival of a homegrown civil aircraft programme in the country.
The Saras (PT-1N) plane was piloted by Wg Cdr U P Singh and Group Captain B Panicker, pilots of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), the Indian Air Force’s elite school for test pilots, people familiar with the development said.
The 14-seater civil aircraft programme, named after the Indian crane Saras, was conceived in the 1990’s as a joint project between India and Russia. NAL took it on its own when Myasischev Design Bureau, the Russian state agency for civilian planes backed out due to the financial crisis that emerged after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
It took nearly two decades for scientists at NAL to fly the plane first in May 2004.In 2009, the second prototype of Saras on a test flight crashed on Bengaluru outskirts killing three Indian Air Force pilots.While the aircraft’s return to flight test is a huge step — and confidence boost — for a team that was virtually written off, the future of the SARAS remains in doubt.
As reported here last year, the major changes to the first prototype, designated PT1N, include upgradation of the propulsive system including efficient nacelle, larger metallic rudder for improved controllability, new landing-gear actuators, new brake system to cater to the needs of higher AUW, improved FCS, flame resistant design for nacelle etc. Last month, the PT1N was filmed during taxi trials, a video released earlier this month by the NAL:
The Indian Air Force has expressed interest in acquiring 15 SARAS aircraft, though the NAL is now hoping to expand that interest to at least 50 airframes. With the project back in flight test, those discussions are expected to move forward.
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