India’s Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is planning to launch the civil variant of its Do-228 aircraft by next April.
Suitable for regional connectivity network, HAL-Do-228 is a twin-turboprop, high-wing aircraft, equipped with a retractable tricycle landing gear.
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Capable of accommodating 19 passengers and two crew members, the aircraft is currently being manufactured at HAL’s transport aircraft division (TAD) in Kanpur, India.
A new structural assembly of Do-228 (civil variant) aircraft has also been inaugurated by India’s State Minister for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha at HAL’s Kanpur facility.
The minister further noted that currently there is a demand for at least 200 aircraft in the country, and the government would conclude a contract with HAL once the first aircraft is rolled out.
Hindustan Aeronautics CMD Suvarna Raju said: “Our aim is to help the government in its mission to provide affordable and sustainable air travel with access to various parts of India.
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By GlobalData“As a proactive step in this direction HAL board sanctioned Rs100cr ($15m) for two civil variants, though there is no firm order.
“We see a big business opportunity in this segment for next ten years.”
The company is currently manufacturing two civil demonstrator aircraft.
HAL stated that its Kanpur division has been accredited with civil certification CAR 21 for manufacture and CAR 145 for Dornier-228 maintenance repair and overhaul of Dornier-228-201 aircraft.
Since 1985, HAL TAD has produced DO-228 aircraft for various roles and has so far manufactured 133 aircraft for several defence customers.
Image: India’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha inaugurating structural assembly of Do-228 (civil variant) aircraft at HAL’s Kanpur facility. Photo: courtesy of HAL.
