AirtrafficController
2010-03-08, 01:06 PM
India has adopted a turboprop design for its first indigenous regional aircraft and has released preliminary specifications for the planned 70-seater.
National Aerospace Laboratories is looking for foreign partners for the Regional Transport Aircraft RTA-70 and hopes to secure additional government funding later this year.
NAL officials say that they plan to design the RTA-70 with the Indian market in mind, adding that existing turboprops do not meet those requirements. These include improved fuel efficiency, short landing and take-off capability, and the ability to transport cargo.
This will give the aircraft 25% lower acquisition costs, 25% lower operating costs and 50% lower maintenance costs than existing turboprop regional aircraft, says NAL.
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=33187
National Aerospace Laboratories is looking for foreign partners for the Regional Transport Aircraft RTA-70 and hopes to secure additional government funding later this year.
NAL officials say that they plan to design the RTA-70 with the Indian market in mind, adding that existing turboprops do not meet those requirements. These include improved fuel efficiency, short landing and take-off capability, and the ability to transport cargo.
This will give the aircraft 25% lower acquisition costs, 25% lower operating costs and 50% lower maintenance costs than existing turboprop regional aircraft, says NAL.
http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=33187