Dhruv copter aims for FAA tag
It will open up the global market for the multi-use helicopter
Multi-use:The home-grown advanced light helicopter Dhruv meets both military and civil requirements.— File Photo: Akhilesh Kumar
Home-grown advanced light helicopter (ALH) Dhruv will go in for the coveted U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, its virtual passport to a large global aviation market.
Efforts would be made to get the FAA tag for the ALH in the near future, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said here on Tuesday.
A flight certification from the FAA is considered the gold standard in aviation. It can open up the global market for the multi-use helicopter, which has not met its export expectations so far.
According to a market survey report this year by aero engines major Honeywell Aerospace, the helicopter market is seeing a major uptick and the world will see up to 5,600 new civilian helicopter deliveries during 2013-17. North American and European majors such as Bell, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland dominate this market.
Mutual benefit
Mr. Singh was in the city for the inauguration of a three-day FAA-Asia Pacific bilateral partners' meeting organised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and hosted by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
The Minister called for evolving a mechanism that would allow countries involved in bilateral agreements to export or import aeronautical parts mutually.
Dhruv is among the first civil aircraft products designed and developed by HAL.
"We also have a national civil aircraft development programme for a 100-seat medium transport aircraft. Some of the country's leading aeronautics and space scientists are spearheading the project and I hope this takes shape," he said in a HAL release.
FAA's Chris Carter and Director-General of Civil Aviation Arun Mishra were at the meeting.
Apart from the U.S. and India, the event has delegates from civil aviation authorities (CAAs) of 11 Asia-Pacific countries that have a bilateral aviation agreement with the U.S.: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia.
The meeting focusses on aircraft certification. Its participants are seeking future direction for aircraft certification and international collaboration.
The organisers said it was a platform for the CAAs to discuss mutual acceptance of aeronautical products or parts, address aviation safety issues of mutual and regional concern, enhanced sharing of resources, communications and improved procedures.
Dhruv copter aims for FAA tag - The Hindu