Wednesday, June 1 2005 13:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Government has cleared a Rs 96 crore programme to Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to take up improved versions of two-seater trainer 'Hansa' and the country's first civil transport aircraft 'Saras'.

"We will now look at weight-reduced version of Saras under the programme", NAL Director A R Upadhya told sources in Bangalore.

'Extra weight' of Saras had been a source of criticism in some quarters. But aviation experts say first prototype of any aircraft being overweight is nothing unusual world over.

"Our final goal is to reduce the weight of Saras by 350 to 400 kg," he said.

Fourteen-seater Saras is a twin-prop multi-role aircraft mainly used for commuter and executive roles and in societal roles like air ambulance.

Under the programme, NAL, a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), would also take up 'stretched version' of Hansa, India's first all composite two-seater trainer developed by it.

NAL has now unveiled plans to build a four-seater Hansa, which the design house believes, would open up more marketing avenues.

Upadhya said the first pro-type of Saras, which had its inaugural flight in August last year, has completed 21 flights so far and NAL is hoping to complete about 100 flights by December-end.

"Most of the sub-systems evaluation can be completed in 100 flights and make sure that the aircraft is behaving the way we want to," he said, adding, the second prototype is also getting ready and it's expected to fly this year-end.

"The second prototype will a more powerful engine; 30 per cent more powerful than the first one. So, performance of the aircraft will be much better. We will be attempting weight-reduction programme in the third aircraft."

According to Upadhya, Indian Air Force (IAF) has evinced interest in Saras, and NAL is hoping to bag a limited series product order for six aircrafts.

"We have some interest from IAF. We are in dialogue with them. We have submitted a detailed project proposal".

NAL is also hoping to approach the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for possible requirement of Saras, which is suitable for short hops in commuter role as well as long range, high speed cruise in the executive transport version, to various operators like airlines, he said.

He said NAL has plans to have a stretched version of Saras 'eventually' from 14-seater to 19-20 one.