Indian car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra and the country's National Aerospace Laboratories are jointly developing a five-seat light aircraft, and plan to manufacture two prototypes each in 2009, it was revealed at the show.
NAL will be responsible for getting Indian certification for the NM5-100, while Mahindra subsidiary Mahindra Aerospace is responsible for certification outside the country. The aircraft is targeted at the air taxi, training, and medical evacuation markets, and NAL and Mahindra could jointly manufacture the type if there are enough orders.
Powered by a Lycoming IO-540 engine, the aircraft will have a maximum take-off weight of 1,525kg (3,3360lb). It will have an all-metal frame with composite cowling and fairings, NAL said.
The standard version of the aircraft will have conventional instruments, standalone avionics, limited cabin environment control and basic audio functions. The de luxe version will have a glass cockpit with electronic flight instrument systems, autopilot with GPS enabled navigation and communication systems, and air conditioning.
Source: Flight International
