India's National Aerospace Laboratories is planning to fly its Saras multirole light aircraft on 1 October - 15 years after the 14-seat twin turboprop was first launched.
The programme began as an Indo-Russian venture with design house Myasichev, but ended in 1993 due to lack of investment.
The Rs 1.3 billion ($28 million) Saras project is jointly funded by India's Technology Development Board, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Hindustan Aeronautics. Taneja Aerospace and Aviation is supplying design and engineering.
The Saras, powered by two rear fuselage-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops in a pusher configuration, is being targeted at the executive transport, air taxi, air ambulance, cargo and border control operations. In an attempt to boost its international appeal, the aircraft will be certificated to US Part 25 standards.
Source: Flight International
