The Hindu : Front Page : 'Saras' takes to the skies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 30, 2004

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Front Page

'Saras' takes to the skies

By Our Staff Reporter

The first prototype version of Saras, the indigenously developed civilian passenger aircraft, comes in to make a smooth landing at the HAL airport after its test flight in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: G.R.N. Somashekar

BANGALORE, MAY 29. Ending days of speculation, the country's first indigenously-built civilian aircraft, `Saras', today recorded its maiden test flight at the HAL airport here. The flight, piloted by Squadron Leader K.K. Venugopal, lasted a little more than 20 minutes and was certified "highly satisfactory" by the Director of the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), B.R. Pai. NAL designed and developed `Saras'.

The 14-seater multi-role aircraft, a first prototype version, had a smooth take-off, at 8.20 a.m., and landing. "I am satisfied. It went off very well. The flight was a routine one," Mr. Pai told presspersons.

Flying with its fog lights on, the aircraft touched an altitude of 7,000 feet and clocked a speed of 140 knots. (These figures were confirmed by Air Commodore Anil Chopra, Commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, or ASTE). The twin-engine aircraft was fitted with only five seats and sported yellow exteriors. Besides the seats, the version that flew today had no panelling, carpeting or soundproofing. Still, it was said to be about 900 kg heavier than its desired empty weight of 4,125 kg. The aircraft is equipped with Pratt and Whitney engines (PT6A-66) and is designed to touch a speed of 550 km an hour and cruise an altitude of 7,500 metres. With 14 passengers aboard, the aircraft will have a maximum range of 400 km with an endurance of six hours. It has a wingspan of 14.7 m, length of 15.02 m and height of 5.2 m. The aircraft's maximum take-off weight is 6,100 kg. It is equipped to carry a payload of 1,232 kg. The inaugural flight of the aircraft is expected to take place in June.

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