Dornier Seastar is hoping to resume production of its Seastar multi-role amphibious aircraft in India with manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), eight years after the programme was halted.
The German company, headed by Conrado Dornier, has submitted a proposal to HAL chairman Krishnadas Niar to set up a joint venture, although no details have been released. A decision is likely to be made after April, when the new Indian Government is installed.
The Seastar programme has had a chequered history. In November 1989, former owner Claudius Dornier Aircraft filed for bankruptcy, when it blamed "a lack of political assistance" in Germany as the main cause.
The programme was acquired the following year by Dornier Composite Aircraft, which also went bankrupt in 1992. Dornier Seastar emerged shortly after and has since made several abortive attempts to find a partner in Asia, most recently in Malaysia.
Before its demise, Claudius Dornier had received options and letters of intent for 50 of the 12-seat, twin-engined Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-112-powered aircraft, for which two prototypes were built.
The $3.8 million Seastar has already received both German and US certification.
Source: Flight International
