CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has transferred manufacturing rights for its indigenously developed HANSA-3(NG) two-seater trainer aircraft to Mumbai-based company Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd. The agreement supports plans to meet domestic demand and potential exports. The aircraft is intended for pilot training under commercial and private licensing programs.
The HANSA-3(NG), designed for commercial pilot licensing (CPL), features a digital glass cockpit, electrically operated flaps, a 43-inch wide bubble canopy, and a Rotax 912 iSc3 engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 98 knots calibrated airspeed, a range of 620 nautical miles, and an endurance of 7 hours.
According to CSIR-NAL, over 110 Letters of Intent have been received from Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) across India for the aircraft. Certification for the aircraft has been issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for both day and night visual flight operations. CSIR-NAL has also initiated the certification process for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations under CS-23 Amendment-6 standards.
India currently has 38 FTOs, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) planning to increase this number to 80 in the next five years. Based on estimates of three aircraft per FTO, a minimum demand for 150 aircraft is anticipated. Projections suggest this number could rise to 1,700 aircraft over time, with each aircraft requiring 15 to 20 trained pilots.
Dr. Abhay A. Pashilkar, Director of CSIR-NAL, confirmed that ongoing certification work is aimed at expanding the operational capabilities of the HANSA-3(NG).
Speaking at the event, Kishore J Patel, Managing Director of Pioneer Clean Amps, said, “We affirm that our company can excel as successful HANSA-(3) NG aircraft production partner to commercialize at a desired scale to serve the growing market.”
The transfer of technology marks a collaboration between public research and private manufacturing, aimed at addressing India’s growing demand for pilot training infrastructure. The information was provided in a press release issued by CSIR-NAL.