"Monkey see monkey do. Just what the world needs, another bloody regional jet." So said one observer upon learning that
Reports out of India say state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been asked by the government to prepare a roadmap for the design and construction of a so-called Indian Regional Jet (IRJ), and that the project will seek assistance from Bombardier or Embraer.
Should the plan progress, the world of regional aircraft manufacturing is going to get awfully crowded.
For the record, Bombardier says it does not have any industry arrangement with HAL on commercial aircraft at this time "and we do not comment on discussion with aerospace companies on future programmes". Embraer could not be immediately reached for comment.
I question whether either company will be keen to help
Regardless, the news means potentially big business for HAL, which is also likely to be the production house for
On hearing news that the same firm will probably take the lead on both projects, our oh-so-cynical industry observer quips: "Even better, they'll take 50 years to get on with both and then realise that it is out of date." Easy tiger.
(HAL logo from company web site www.hal-india.com)
on August 26, 2008 4:14 AM | Reply
While HAL may produce the 70 seat turboprop eventually, I believe it's going to be Bangalore based National Aerospace Laboratories who will do the design and development part. And having worked with NAL once before, I would tend to agree with your cynical industry source.
:)
on August 26, 2008 7:37 AM | Reply
Interesting. So NAL's claim that it is "India’s only civilian aerospace laboratory with a high level of competence" doesn't hold water? :)
on August 26, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply
Mary, I would love to hear Mr. Udvar-Hazy's views on the brewing single-aisle storm and maybe something candid on why Airbus and Boeing seem content to just let it pass right by.
on August 28, 2008 12:37 AM | Reply
private investors should take up this project...Bangalore based National Aerospace Laboratories have already made a mess of the indian Light Combat Airacft (LCA)....and now the air force & navy is buying F18 super hornets.... what waste of tax payers money...
on August 28, 2008 7:55 AM | Reply
Mary,
Well, at least the competence part doesn't hold much water. Sure, they've mastered composites and autoclaves to an extent, but in terms of actual aircraft design they aren't very competitive. The facilities and equipment are just about getting there in terms of standards, but the people and work ethic wont budge anytime soon.
Too negative, I know, my beer mug is half empty :)
on August 28, 2008 8:10 AM | Reply
We need to remedy that, Sturmovik (the lack of beer that is :) Seriously, though, it seems rather clear that either Bombardier or Embraer will need to get on board to give this project some credability. Embraer has been awfully quiet since the story hit, and Bombardier, well, you see its rather vague response above.
on August 28, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply
I doubt if either will. Both already have their bases covered in China, with Harbin and AVIC respectively, so their cheap manufacturing sources are assured. I don't quite see what India would have to offer, except maybe that we might not make direct rip-offs of their jets :P
Btw, you might be interested in the Mahindras of India, they are planning on making a five seater aircraft. Though there isn't much in the news about this, i can assure you discussions are on, and the aircraft might even get built since it's a private sector affair.
The lack of beer has been remedied, its already evening here :)
on August 29, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply
Just a heads up, guys. Embraer is staying rather quiet on this one. "In regards to the proposed Indian Regional Jet, no previous contacts between the two companies have taken place so far on this matter," says an Embraer spokeswoman. The company has not disclosed whether it will entertain such a proposition, however
on September 29, 2009 5:12 AM | Reply
WELL, INDIA IS A FULL FLEDGED SPACE SUPERPOWER,ITS A WELL KNOWN FACT NOW.
\AND I DONT THINK ,AND ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER,BUILDING AN AIRCRAFT IS A MORE DIFFICULT PROCESS THAN ROCKETS,OR SENDING MISSONS TO MOON AND DISCOVERING WATER.
SO,YEAH ITS QUITE POSSIBLE.
THE CYNICAL SOURCE PERHAPS DOESNOT KNOW THAT INDIA HAD TO BUILD EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH AND I DO BELIEVE BUILDING EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH IS A BIT MORE TIME CONSUMING,HENCE THERE ARE DELAYS,BUT ITS ALL IN THE PROCESS AND ITS A LEARNING THING.
INDIANS DO NOT BOAST THE FACT THAT THE FIRST INDIGENOUS SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE TOOK OFF SUCCESSFULLY AFTER JUST ONE FAILURE WHILE THE US TOOK 5 SUCH TESTS.