On Tuesday, a two-seater flying trainer aircraft HANSA-NG successfully completed an in-flight engine relight test. Designed and developed by CSIR-NAL the aircraft was ferried to DRDO’s Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) facility at Challakere on May 16 after DGCA’s approval.
The flight test was carried out by Aircraft and System Testing Establishment’s (ASTE) test pilots Wg Cdr K V Prakash and Wg Cdr NDS Reddy which was monitored by Abbani Rinku, Project Director of HANSA along with the design team of CSIR-NAL and ASTE crew- Wg Cdr Senthil Kumar, Flight Test Director, Sq Ldr Sahil Sarin, safety pilot and Gp Capt M Rangachari, Chief Test Pilot.
NAL disclosed in a release that the test was carried out at an altitude of 7000-8000 feet with a speed range of 60 to 70 knots. A windmilling propeller and starter assisted start was used to demonstrate the aircraft’s in-flight relight capability. During this test flight, the aircraft’s handling characteristics and flight parameters were found to be normal.
According to CSIR-NAL, the in-flight engine relight test is considered one of the most critical and crucial milestones toward the certification of the aircraft by DGCA.
