Bengaluru, Sept 22: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is warming up to conduct the first flight of the third series production variant (SP-3) of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, soon.
The EGR (engine ground run) has been completed and now the aircraft is being prepared for LSTT (low-speed taxi trials).
“Then the HSTT (high-speed taxi trials) leading to the first flight,” says an official. HAL hopes to conduct the SP-3 first flight within a week, subject to favourable weather conditions and zero snags. Air Commodore K A Muthanna (Retd) is set to fly SP-3.
However, the dream of Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha to have four Tejas’ flying over Hindon Air Force base, during Air Force Day (October 8), might not happen this year.
“Both SP-1 and SP-2 are sure to fly with one more from the flightline on the static display,” says an official. SP-3 is unlikely to make it to Hindon this time, though HAL officials are making efforts to position it on the static display arena.
Full report here: http://bit.ly/2cZOZJM
