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747-237
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Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 11359
Location: Gordon Gekko's Boardroom
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 Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:09 pm Post subject: Saras back from the brink again as NAL targets 2013 cert. |
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http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/25/353501/saras-back-from-the-brink-again-as-nal-targets-2013.html
Saras back from the brink again as NAL targets 2013 certification
25/02/11
After a break of two years, Bangalore's National Aerospace Laboratories has resumed development of its Saras 14-seat multi-role transport aircraft following production authorisation approval by India's civil aviation authority.
The Saras programme has been hampered for more than two decades by a host of setbacks including political, technical and design issues. The latest delay came in 2009 when the second prototype of the twin-engined, push-prop aircraft crashed outside Bangalore, killing all three crew members.
NAL director Alevoor Upadhya says the company will press ahead with development of modified prototype. The first prototype will be upgraded to meet the latest design criteria including higher-thrust 1,200hp (895kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and improvements to the flight control and flight operations systems.
A first flight is scheduled for August, says Upadhya, adding that NAL is working in parallel to reduce the weight of the first production aircraft by around 500kg (1,100lb) through the "extensive use of composites and by fine-tuning the structural design and optimising some of the on-board systems".
This aircraft is due to make its first flight by the end of 2011 leading to certification and first deliveries in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Saras is targeted at regional airlines, charter, corporate and air ambulance operators as well as border control, surveillance and aerial survey providers.
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ryder1650
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Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 554
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| Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| Is there any real need to making this aircraft? Has NAL received any orders yet? |
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HAWK21M
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 8132
Location: Mumbai, INDIA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject: |
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Time bound programs should be the norm.
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Think of the Brighter side !!! |
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sumantra
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Joined: 28 Oct 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:09 am Post subject: |
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| HAWK21M wrote: | | Time bound programs should be the norm. |
Meljoe, this is easier said than done. However organised an organisation may be (Boeing/Airbus, for instance), anything new takes time. Cost over-runs are often the norm. Meeting design targets themselves can be difficult. History says that what you advocate is almost impossible.
Cheers, Sumantra. |
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