The Hindu : Front Page : New copter for YSR to arrive soon

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New copter for YSR to arrive soon

M. Malleswara Rao

Jet also proposed to be acquired to help Chief Minister reach distant places

HYDERABAD: The new helicopter meant for use by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy will arrive here on July 17 from Italy. The State government has purchased an AW-139 chopper at a cost of Rs. 54 crore from Augusta Westland, world leader in manufacture of helicopters, going by its advanced technology and superior features.

The present aircraft, a Bell 430, which was purchased for Rs. 20 crore in 1998, has been found to be inadequate in terms of seating capacity and was also requiring frequent repairs and overhauling.

A pilot, Manthena Jagan Mohan, is already in Italy to bring the AW-139 in parts by a transport aircraft. The parts will be re-assembled in Hyderabad under the supervision of the aeronautic engineers from the Augusta Westland.

Manmohan Singh, secretary, Infrastructure & Investment, told this correspondent here on Wednesday that the government was also planning to purchase a jet plane so that the Chief Minister could reach distant places in the State faster.

Six-seater

The Bell 430, like most helicopters used by the VVIPs in India, is a six-seater. With two seats in the front for the pilot and co-pilot, it can seat five others. This means that the Chief Minister can take only three others along with him. The AW-139 of Augusta Westland, in contrast, can accommodate 14 persons, apart from pilot and co-pilot.

Once the Chief Minister switches over to the new copter, the Bell helicopter will be stationed at Begumpet airport and made available for hire through the recently formed Civil Aviation Corporation Limited.

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