HALBIT would be a decent alternative sure, just hope whatever is delivered with it is contemporary, the original cockpit is woefully outdated by current standards and Saras needs to be world class otherwise we know the criticism will be strong from a certain lobby.....
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Am about to start ground school, the course I am enrolled in is a 18 month ab-intio integrated ATPL. Flight school will then find an airline to employ me and they’ll decide on type rating. Most likely A320NEO.
19 seater MK-2 is getting contemporary to advance avionics that is there in the market. It has been confirmed.
I hope GOI makes an aggressive sells pitch for SARAS like by selling first 200 SARAS on 25-40% subsidy. Airlines buying in large numbers say 10 plus should get extra freebies like free maintenance training and Type rating to its engineers and cadet pilots respectively at HAL. License fee and Tax waivers to upcoming Airlines focused on regional segment.
Airline business is of high risk nature and totally 'bottom lines' oriented. Without making SARAS too attractive to ignore its commercial success may be hard to come by. An airline will always choose a Beechcraft or Cessna or Embraer over SARAS for apparent reasons.
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A320NEO is my choice because of its fleet share in Indian market. Which will further increase once INDIGO's order is completed. But honestly my heart beats for Boeing 737MAX which Spicejet and Jet Airways are buying in big numbers.