NAL Saras
| Role | Light transport aircraft |
|---|---|
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | National Aerospace Laboratories Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| First flight | 29 May 2004 |
| Status | Under Development |
| Number built | 2 |
| Unit cost |  139 crore (US$22 million) |
The NAL Saras (Sanskrit सारस: Crane) is the first Indian multi-purpose civilian aircraft in the Light Transport Aircraft category designed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
Design and development
In mid 1980s, Research Council recommended that NAL should study the civil aviation requirements of India and recommended ways and means of establishing a viable civil aviation industry. It further recommended that NAL should carryout a formal techno economical feasibility study of a multi role Light Transport Aircraft (LTA – renamed SARAS in October 1993). The feasibility study (November 1989) showed that there was a significant demand for a 9–14 seat multi-role LTA in the country and estimated a market potential of about 250–350 aircraft in the next 10 years. NAL submitted the feasibility study report to RC in November 1990 and started its search for an industrial partner.
The project began in 1991 as a collaboration with Russia (Myasishchev had a similar project called the Duet), but financial trouble led the Russians to drop out early in the project. The project almost came to a halt when it was hit by US-imposed sanctions in 1998, after India's nuclear tests in Pokhran.The project of 'Saras' was sanctioned on 24 September 1999 with initial schedule of its maiden flight by March 2001.
The original design target parameters included a maximum take-off weight of 6,100 kg and a maximum payload of 1,232 kg, a high cruise speed of over 600 km/h, an endurance of six hours, a maximum flight altitude of 12 km (cruise altitude 10.5 km), short take-off and landing distances of about 600 m, a maximum rate of climb of 12 m/s, a low cabin noise of 78 dB, a range of 600 km with 19 passengers, 1,200 km with 14 passengers and 2,000 km with eight passengers, a high 'specific range' of 2.5 km/kg and a low cost of operation of Rs. 5/km.
The first Saras (PT1) completed its maiden flight at the HAL airport in Bangalore on 29 May 2004.[1]
While the designed empty weight of the aircraft is around 4,125 kg, the first prototype weighed in around 5,118 kg.This issue is sought to be addressed by including composite wings and tail by the third prototype. The airframe of Saras-PT2 was built with lighter composites to reduce its overall weight by about 400 kg from its first prototype, which was overweight by about 900 kg. The aircraft is powered by two Canadian Pratt & Whitney turbo-prop engines.[2]
Current status
The first prototype will be upgraded to meet the latest design criteria including higher-power 1,200hp (895kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and improvements to the flight control and flight operations systems. The upgraded PT1 is due to make its first flight by the end of 2011 leading to certification and first deliveries in 2013 and 2014 respectively.[3]
The IAF has signed up with National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore for the purchase of 15 Saras aircraft.“NAL signed a memorandum of understanding with IAF to sell 15 Saras aircraft. The Kanpur unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd will manufacture these planes,” The 14-seater twin-engine aircraft would be used for coastal surveillance as well as training young cadets on transport flying.[4]
Incidents and accidents
On 6 March 2009, 2 Indian Air Force test pilots, Wing Commander Praveen Kotekoppa and Wing Commander Dipesh Shah along with a Flight Test Engineer Squadron Leader Ilayaraja, were killed when the second prototype Saras aircraft crashed and caught fire in an open field near Bidadi, about 30 km from Bangalore.[5] A court of inquiry found that wrong engine relight drills given to the pilots caused the crash.[6]
Specifications (Saras)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 (Pilot,Co-Pilot,Flight Engineer)
- Capacity: 14 passengers
- Length: 15.02 m (49.28 ft)
- Wingspan: 14.70 m (48.23 ft)
- Height: 5.20 m (17.06 ft)
- Useful load: 1,232 kg (2,710 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 7,100 kg (15,653 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop, 2150 shp (1634 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 750 km/h (445 mph)
- Range: 1940 km[7] (1200 mi)
- Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
- Endurance: 4 hours 45 minutes
Arinc-429 compatible integrated digital avionics system
References
- ↑ NAL news report, with pictures, of the First Saras Test Flight
- ↑ "Breaking News TOI Article on Plane Crash". The Times of India. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ↑ Saras back from the brink again as NAL targets 2013 certification
- ↑ Home-spun Saras to train Air Force’s trainee pilots, New Delhi, 14 Sep 2012, DHNS
- ↑ "Indian Military News Headlines ::". Bharat-Rakshak.com. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ↑ "National : "Wrong relight drills caused Saras crash"". The Hindu. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
- ↑ "Saras To Usher in Civilian Aircraft Industry in India". Pib.nic.in. 18 February 2003. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
External links
- NAL Saras page
- A Soaring Success
- Saras second Proto-Type Status
- HAL to make India's first passenger aeroplane
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