CSIR-NAL, pioneers in India’s Civil Aircraft Design & Development, has rolled out the two-seater trainer aircraft “HANSA-NG” in the presence of CSIR Director General Shekhar C Mande, NAL Director Jitendra J Jadhav and HAL Chairman Managing Director R Madhavan.
HANSA under the JAR-VLA category started production in 2000 onwards and till now, 11 aircraft are delivered to various flying clubs across the country. HANSA – New Generation (NG) was sanctioned in 2018 with additional modification.
Speaking to NFAPost, CSIR Director General Shekhar C Mande said HANSA-NG is part of the government’s ambitious journey to achieve self-reliance in the civil aviation sector.
“CSIR is working along with various agencies to achieve Atmanirbharth Bharath in the civil aviation sector with combined efforts of various government and private agencies. HANSA-NG rolling out is a step in the right direction and we are going ahead with 19 seaters civil aircraft project SARAS,” said Shekhar C Mande.
Private partner
CSIR-NAL identified M/s Mesco Aerospace Ltd. as the production partner and jointly started the design and development of HANSA-NG with lower cost and superior performance as compared to contemporary aircraft of a similar class.
Speaking at the inaugural function, NAL Director Jitendra J Jadhav said HANSA-NG trainer aircraft is a culmination of CSIR-NAL efforts to grab the massive opportunity in the space as the civil aviation sector.
“Many flying clubs started looking for cost-effective trainer aircraft, which could meet the statutory requirements of commercial pilot licensing. Indian civil aviation sector is going through massive changes with various government policy initiatives, especially UDAAN. Realising this potential, CSIR-NAL decided to revitalise HANSA to cater to the demand for a trainer aircraft and today we have achieved this with the rolling out of HANSA-NG,” said Jitendra J Jadhav.
Retro-modified HANSA-3
CSIR-NAL retro-modified HANSA-3 aircraft with a glass cockpit and got it certified by DGCA. The aircraft was demonstrated at Aero-India 2019.
Jitendra J Jadhav also acknowledged the support provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, various government and private flying clubs, IGRUA, IAF and HAL.
HANSA Project Director Abbani Rinku said HANSA-NG is equipped with IFR-compliant avionics with smart multi-functional displays, a glass cockpit, and a bubble canopy design.
“The selection of a highly efficient digitally controlled Rotax 912 ISC engine with superior performance increased the range and endurance. We have kept the price at minimum with maximum indigenisation and support from engine and avionics component support from overseas companies,” said Abbani Rinku.
HANSA-NG production is facilitated by the CSIR-NAL-owned Smart Composite Manufacturing facility which was inaugurated by the Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan in 2019.
JIPREG composite technique
Design and production organisation approvals were obtained from DGCA and manufacturing of HANSA-NG was initiated in September 2020. By using the innovative JIPREG composite technique, various components of HANSA-NG were manufactured in a record time of four months.
Subsequently, by using the latest semi-jigless technology, integration and equipping of the aircraft were completed in just two weeks.
HANSA-NG was exhibited in Wings India 2020 and Aero India 2021. Attracted by its potential capabilities, several flying clubs gave Letters of Intent for about 30 aircraft on the spot.
In addition to this, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) also signed an MoU with CSIR-NAL as a launch customer of HANSA-NG for pilot training.
