Mahindra-NAL five-seat aircraft undergoes successful test
14 Sep 2011
Mumbai: Marking a milestone in the development of the country's civil aviation history the Mahindra group has successfully test-flown a five-seat aircraft. The feat has been achieved in conjunction with CSIR laboratory, the National Aerospace Laboratories.
It has taken just three years from drawing board to test trial.
The project is already being hailed as having the potential to revolutionize Indian transportation over the coming decade.
The aircraft has completed five tests over the last ten days and is expected to achieve FAR Part 23 certification in another six months or so, which guarantees the highest standards of safety. With this certification the aircraft would be ready for commercial development.
Once ready, each aircraft is expected to cost around $400,000 (about Rs2 crore) and it is claimed that it would be the first such commercial aircraft in the world to offer a five-seat configuration.
The Mahindra group has already prepared for its foray into the world of aviation by earlier acquiring the Australia-based aircraft maker Gippsland Aviation two years ago.