HAL Aerospace Museum open to public

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, SEPT. 17. The HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, the first of its kind in the country, is now open to public from Tuesday to Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday. Entry is by tickets, and students are charged at a concessional rate.

The Heritage Centre and Museum has been set up to catalogue and display the heritage and development of aviation in India, particularly in Bangalore and at HAL. A number of aircraft and aero-engines are on display at the main hall with a video presentation on the development of propulsion systems and gas turbines.

In Hall No. 1, each of the rooms takes you down a bygone era from 1940, showing the growth of the Indian aviation industry, and HAL's achievements and progress over the years. Back in the 1940s, Bangalore was one of the important centres which serviced and repaired the aircraft of the Allied Forces engaged in World War II. Visitors can trace aviation history through photographs, special stamps, and models of aircraft and even space vehicles.

Going through the displays, aviation enthusiasts and students get an insight into the technologies of aircraft manufacturing and maintenance as they have evolved over the last 60 years. One can see the aircraft designed, developed and built by HAL, as well as those produced under licence for the Indian Air Force. Visitors can recapture the days of aerial combat with fighters such as Marut (HF-24), MiG-21, LCA and the Canberra bomber.

Trainers, including the HT-2 (HAL's first trainer aircraft), the Pushpak (which is still used by flying clubs across the country), Kiran (the basic jet trainer for IAF pilots), and the Basant, an aircraft designed for aerial spraying and other agricultural operations, are displayed in all their might. The helicopters on show include the HAL-designed ALH, the Chetak and Cheetah along with the transport aircraft, Devon (Dove). The tour continues through Hall No. 2 where more excitement awaits the visitors.

Aircraft simulators: The entire experience at the aviation museum has been made entertaining and real, since HAL's efforts are targeted at young adults, to enthuse them to choose aviation as a career. Aircraft simulators give young visitors a feel of actually flying an airplane. They explain the principles involved in basic and advanced flying.

`ATC Tower': At the specially recreated Air Traffic Control Tower, visitors can have a spectacular view of aircraft taking off and landing at the HAL airport. They can learn about the history of navigation from the days when there was no ground- based navigation for airplanes, to the present system in which automated instrument landing is used. Visitors get a feel of air traffic control on a simulated monitor.

Aero Modelling Club: There is more for teenagers interested in aviation. Children above 12 years can become members of the Aero Modelling Club which will teach them all about building airplane models, including those which can be remote controlled and made to actually fly.

Heritage Library: The Heritage Library has material chronicling developments of aerospace and technology, and students and enthusiasts are encouraged to make use of them. Audio-visuals screen footage of air shows, aviation related themes, famous flights, historic events and a spectacular display of manoeuvres and aerobatics performed during international air shows.

Souvenir Shop: The Souvenir Shop will keep alive your visit with items for sale, including model aircraft, T shirts and caps with aircraft graphics, photographs and stickers. A cafeteria is to be opened shortly.

To reach the Heritage Centre and Museum, you have to take the Airport-Varthur Road and go past the HAL Helicopter Division.

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