BENGALURU: Designed and developed by CSIR-NAL, ‘HANSA-NG’, a two-seater flying trainer aircraft, successfully completed in-flight engine relight test at DRDO’s Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) facility at Challakere on May 17.
The flight test was carried out by Wg Cdr K V Prakash and Wg Cdr NDS Reddy, Test Pilots from Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Indian Air force (IAF) at an altitude of 7,000-8,000 feet with the speed range of 60 to 70 knots, NAL said in a release. The aircraft was ferried to ATR, Challakere on May 16, after obtaining necessary approvals from DGCA.
According to the NAL press release, In-flight engine relight capability of the aircraft was demonstrated with wind milling propeller and starter assisted start. The aircraft handling characteristics and flight parameters were found to be normal during these test flights.
CSIR-NAL mentioned that the in-flight engine relight test is the most critical and important milestone towards certification of the aircraft by DGCA.
The flight tests were monitored by Abbani Rinku, Project Director of HANSA along with design team of CSIR-NAL and flight test crew from ASTE – Wg Cdr Senthil Kumar, Flight Test Director, Sq Ldr Sahil Sarin, Safety pilot and Gp Capt M Rangachari, Chief Test Pilot, the release said.
Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-NAL said, the combined and coordinated efforts of the integrated team resulted in text book execution of the test flights.
The HANSA-New Generation (HANSA-NG) is an upgraded version of HANSA, which saw the first flight in 1993, and was certified in 2000. It is one of the most advanced flying trainers. The Centre approved HANSA-NG in 2018 and NAL retro-modified HANSA-3 aircraft with a glass cockpit and got it certified by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
The aircraft was demonstrated at Aero-India 2019. It is powered by a Rotax Digital Control Engine and is designed to meet the need for trainer aircraft by flying clubs in India. It is an ideal aircraft for Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) due to its low cost and low fuel consumption.
