NAL’s new generation Hansa trainer aircraft launched

The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru, rolled out the latest version of the Hansa two-seater trainer aircraft in the city on Wednesday.

A top civil aviation official said the aircraft would help India transform from a nation of importers to builders.

The Hansa-NG, or new generation, is the latest iteration of the original Hansa aircraft.

Dr Jitendra Jadhav, director of NAL, a CSIR lab, said Hansa-NG will tap into a requirement for 100-120 aircraft in the civilian aerospace field.

“I am pleased to say that I have 30 letters of intent (LOIs) in hand today,” he said, adding the aircraft was generating interest among flying clubs and manufacturers.

The changes in the new variant, especially the glass cockpit were described by one test pilot, Captain Amit Dahiya of DGCA as “being the need of the hour.” He said the machine could potentially turn India into a hub of pilot training.

The aircraft, which is expected to start its flight tests later in 2021, is equipped with IFR-compliant avionics with smart multi-functional displays and a bubble canopy design. It is powered by a digitally controlled Rotax 912 ISC engine offering increased performance, endurance and range.

According to NAL, the design and production organization approvals were obtained from DGCA, and manufacturing of the aircraft was initiated in September
2020.

The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi in Amethi proposed to sign an MoU with NAL as a launch customer of the aircraft for pilot training.

NAL has identified Mesco Aerospace Ltd as the production partner.