Saras, a prototype of India’s indigenous civilian aircraft built by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), has enjoyed a successful experimental flight.

The twin turboprop, which will be powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, is designed for executive transport, cargo, remote sensing, coast guard and air ambulance usage.

The 1.5 billion rupee project began in 1991 but was denied critical components following US sanctions imposed after the nuclear tests in 1998.

The aircraft took off from HAL airport in Bangalore on May 29 with Squadron Leader K K Venugopal and Wing Commander R S Makker, IAF test pilots, in command.

Soaring into the skies for the first time, Saras climbed steadily to its maximum altitude. After a 25-minute triangular detour, when the aircraft flew over Anekal and Malur at an altitude of about 7,000 feet and at speeds in the range of 110-140 knots, the Saras landed safely to a thunderous ovation.

Two ‘chase’ IAF Kiran aircraft and an IAF helicopter flew alongside Saras during its maiden flight.

An NAL spokesman said: “This first successful experimental flight constitutes a major step forward in NAL and CSIR’s initiative to design and develop India’s first civil transport aircraft.”

Talking of the first flight, Squadron Leader Venugopal said: “I think we have potentially a great flying machine. Saras isn’t competing with other aircraft; other aircraft are competing with us!”.

Professor Roddam Narasimha, who as NAL Director (1984-1993) laid the foundations of the Hansa and Saras aircraft development programmes, was especially delighted by the successful maiden flight. “I’m so pleased that we stuck it out all these years in spite of such uncertainty and hardship”, he said, “we never wavered.

“There’s no doubt that we can build good technology in India. Often all that we need is the right vision and perspective”.

He also indicated that technology development teams “must learn to work faster”.