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Critical trials for desi trainer soon, HAL looks to start production in December

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Spin and recovery trials planned by October; crucial meeting with IAF after that

A basic trainer aircraft being developed indigenously is heading for critical trials in October, with plans for the production line to start before the end of this year. The desi HTT 40 trainer – which is critical for the air force’s pilot training program – is likely to undergo stall and spin tests shortly that will test its ability to recover from a potentially devastating situation.

The tests are critical to prove the stability and utility of the HTT 40 to train young pilots in handling aircraft before they move on to the more advanced aircraft. Officials overseeing the project told ThePrint that after the stall and spin tests, a crucial meeting will be held with the air force to obtain clearances and start a production line for the aircraft before the end of this year.

The HTT 40 has already undergone wind tunnel testing in France and is undergoing minor modifications to prepare it for the tests. Stall and spin tests are potentially lethal for test pilots and need to be programmed and planned minutely.

There is a sense of urgency to accelerate the HTT 40 program given the severe shortage the air force is facing in terms of basic trainers for its pilots. In 2012, the air force has rejected the HTT 40 program and selected the Swiss Pilatus PC 7 Mk1 trainer. However, the Swiss program has come under continued scrutiny and plans to add 38 more aircraft to the original order of 75 is unlikely to go ahead.

The homegrown basic trainer aircraft, which undertook its first flight last year is to be used for the first stage training for all flying cadets of the three services with the defence ministry committed to order at least 70 planes. The additional order of 38 aircraft (originally for Pilatus) is also likely to go for the HTT 40. Besides the training role, its developer HAL also plans to eventually roll out a weaponized version of the aircraft for non-conventional operations and export orders.

The Indian plan for coaching military pilots currently relies of three planes – a basic trainer, the intermediate jet trainer and an advanced training aircraft.

The Kiran Mk II intermediate trainer however is heading for retirement and the air force has changed its program into a three stage, two aircraft plan. Hawk advanced trainers are available in adequate numbers but there is a severe shortage of lower grade aircraft to train pilots.

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