Hindustan - 228 Commercial Aircraft

CONTEXT:

The 19-seater Hindustan-228 or the Do-228 is the first major attempt in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop a small civil transport aircraft after the 14-seater Saras aircraft development program was shelved in 2009. On August 15, HAL carried out a successful ground run and low speed taxi trails for the aircraft for ‘Type Certification’ by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

FOR PRELIMS:

Hindustan 228

• The Hindustan-228 aircraft is built on the existing frame of the German Dornier 228 defence transport aircraft used by the defence forces.
• In February 2020, HAL received the modification document for the HAL Do-228 upgraded civil aircraft from DGCA at the DefExpo in Lucknow.
• Two civil Do-228 produced by HAL for launch under UDAN scheme have a maximum take off weight of 6200 kgs. In order for the transport aircraft to be flyable under Commercial Pilot License category HAL has to reduce the aircraft weight below 5700 Kgs.
• HAL Do-228-201(Upgraded) civil aircraft is equipped with a digital cockpit which will ensure more accurate readings, precise information and ergonomic data displays with feedback loops and capability for self-check to alert pilots in emergencies.
• It is under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) of the Government of India
• The Hindustan-228 is conceived to be a multirole utility aircraft capable of being used for VIP transport, passenger transport, air ambulance, flight inspection roles, cloud seeding, recreational activities like para jumping, aerial surveillance, photography, remote sensing and cargo transport.
• With a maximum cruise speed of 428 kmph and a range of 700 kmph the aircraft is capable of night flying.
• HAL is looking forward to exporting the aircraft as well to countries like Nepal.

About HAL

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore (Bengaluru), India.
• Established on 23 December 1940, HAL is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defence manufacturers in the world today.
• HAL is managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the President of India through the Ministry of Defence Government of India.
• HAL is currently involved in designing and manufacturing of fighter jets, helicopters, jet engine and marine gas turbine engine, avionics, software development, spare supply, overhauling and upgrading of Indian military aircraft.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is a statutory body of the Indian Central Government to regulate civil aviation in India.
• Formed under the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020
• The Government of India is planning to replace the organisation with a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), modelled on the lines of the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues.
• It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards.
• The DGCA also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
• Functions of DGCA:

• Registration of civil aircraft.
• Formulation of standards of airworthiness for civil aircraft registered in India and grant of certificates of airworthiness to such aircraft.
• Licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and flight engineers, and conducting examinations and checks for that purpose.
• Conducting investigation into accidents/incidents and taking accident prevention measures including formulation of implementation of Safety Aviation Management programmes.
• Coordination at national level for flexi-use of air space by civil and military air traffic agencies and interaction with ICAO for provision of more air routes for civil use through Indian air space.
• Promoting indigenous design and manufacture of aircraft and aircraft components by acting as a catalytic agent.

Sources

• The Indian Express
• The Hindu
• PRS
• PIB