Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Flight Testing

Successful test flight for India’s indigenous Saras light aircraft

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson23rd February 20182 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

The Saras Mk2 aircraft test flight

The second test flight of the improved version of the Saras light aircraft has taken place in Bengaluru, India, with the Indian Air Force committing to the acquisition of 15.

The indigenously developed Saras Mk2 was flown for the second time on February 21, after a first flight on January 24.

The flight was commanded by Wing Commander UP Singh, Group Captain RV Panicker and Group Captain KP Bhat of Indian Air Force – Aircraft and System Testing Establishment (ASTE). The flight was the second of the 20 test flights planned for Saras PT1N. Testing is expected to be completed by July this year.

The design and development of the 19-seater aircraft is being done by India’s National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and the Indian Air Force – ASTE.

India’s science and technology minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, said, “The project was dumped by the previous government, after an accident during test flight in 2009. Though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had exonerated the aircraft from any design flaw or poor-quality production, no effort was made to revive the project.”

NAL has incorporated design modifications and improvements on the Saras, such as two 1200shp engines and 2.6m (104in) diameter propeller assembles, improved flight control system, rudder area, main wheel and brakes to cater to 7100 kg AUV, as well as a stall warning system.

According to Dr Vardhan the aircraft will be available initially for military use and then for civilian. The government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will produce the military version, while the production of the civil version will be given to private companies.

The government expects up to 160 military and civil Saras Mk2s to be produced in the next 10 years. “SARAS Mk 2 will be ideal for a variety of applications like air taxi, aerial search/survey, executive transport, disaster management, border patrol, coast guard, ambulance and other community services,” said Dr Vardhan.

“Its successful development will be one of the game changers in the history of civil aviation in India.”

February 23, 2018

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleAEDC T-11 engine test cell modified to expand capabilities
Next Article FACC composites test center gains ISO certification
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Flight Testing

Autonomous Black Hawk helicopter tested for firefighting

7th May 20253 Mins Read
Defense

US military flies Talon-A reusable hypersonic test vehicle

6th May 20253 Mins Read
Features

Gulfstream’s R&D Labs: Exploring the innovation behind the G400’s first flight

30th April 20259 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Drive System Design opens second UK high-speed eMachine test facility

23rd May 2025

dSPACE expands Scalexio platform for HIL testing

23rd May 2025

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.