New Variant of Hindustan 228-201 LW aircraft

March 4, 2023

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been granted approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a new variant of the Hindustan 228-201 LW aircraft. It is a modified form of Dornier-228 which the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard have been using for short-range maritime patrolling and surveillance. This new variant belongs to the sub-5,700 kg aircraft category. It can accommodate 19 passengers with a maximum takeoff weight of 5,695 kg.

Significance of Hindustan 228-201 LW Aircraft

The newly developed aircraft comes with several operational benefits. It will help minimize training requirements for pilots and ground crew, and lower operational costs. The recent DGCA approval will enable commercial pilots to fly the aircraft with a reduced qualification requirement, increasing the availability of pilots for the aircraft. Additionally, the defence PSU has approved a 6,200 kg AUW with a capacity of 19 passengers.

What are the benefits of Hindustan 228-201 LW Aircraft?

The aircraft requires reduced pilot qualification requirements. Even pilots with a commercial pilot license can fly this aircraft. The pilot pool of the aircraft has been increased. The operational cost of the aircraft is very less as compared to its earlier versions. It requires very little training and very less number of ground crew assistance. The number of aircraft maintenance engineers required is also less.

Hindustan 228-201 LW is a variant of Dornier 228

The Dornier 228 was designed by RUAG, a Swiss company. The first Dornier 228 was built by a German company called Dornier and hence the name. Between 1981 and 1998, the company built 245 Dornier aircraft in Germany. Later in 1983, HAL bought the manufacturing rights from the Dornier and started manufacturing in Kanpur, UP.

The major breaking point for the Dornier Aircraft

Till 2017, HAL was producing aircraft under the license from RUAG. In 2017, the DGCA issued a license to allow the use of Dornier in European markets. Following this, Dornier entered its first public appearance at the Dubai Airshow in 2020.

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