"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
25 Dec 2017
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Dornier 228 has been granted permission to be used for civilian flights by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This is the first time that a made-in- India aircraft will be used for commercial flights.
The 19-seater aircraft that will ply through the regional routes has, till now, been used by the defence forces. The DGCA has given the certificate of airworthiness to HAL's Dornier 228.
This will entitle HAL to sell this plane to airlines in India and it can be used by them for regional flights under the central government's ambitious UDAN scheme, a senior aviation official said.
The official also hinted about HAL looking forward to selling this plane for civil use in neighboring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The HAL describes its 19-seater Dornier 228 as "highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport, third level services and air-taxi operations, coast guard duties and maritime surveillance."
Test flights of this plane were successfully carried out by HCL at Kanpur airport this month after which DGCA gave the required nod for it to be used in civil side.The non-pressurised plane has maximum cruise speed of 428 kmph and a range of 700 km. It is capable of night flying.
