Multi-role copter Dhruv completes maiden flight, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• HAL completed the maiden flight of the multi-role Dhruv New Generation helicopter on Tuesday.
• DGCA certified HAL for indigenous manufacturing of the Shakti civil engine.
• The Dhruv NG can carry 14 passengers and serve as a medical ambulance with space for four stretchers, a doctor, and an attendant.
• Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd has ordered eight Dhruv-NG helicopters to transport personnel and materials to Bombay High.
• HAL aims to achieve 80% indigenisation of the aircraft in the next 10 years.

Detailed Insights:

• The Dhruv NG features a configurable cabin of 7.35 cubic metres, adaptable for roles like VIP movement, heli-tourism, offshore operations, law enforcement, and disaster relief.
• HAL will conduct approximately 150 flights over the next two months using two Dhruv helicopters to complete the aircraft's certification process.
• HAL anticipates a market demand for 1,000 helicopters and estimates a requirement for around 15,000 helicopters in the next 10 years, driven by the growth of heli-tourism.
• The Union Civil Aviation Minister noted that HAL is now focusing on both civil aviation and defence sectors equally, marking a shift from its previous focus on defence.

Key Concepts Involved:

• DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation): The regulatory body for civil aviation in India, responsible for safety, security, and airworthiness standards.
• Indigenisation: The process of manufacturing goods or components domestically, reducing reliance on foreign imports.
• Heli-tourism: Tourism involving the use of helicopters for sightseeing and transportation to remote locations.