India's National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) plans to switch to a new engine to power the 14-seat Saras multipurpose transport aircraft and a proposed 19-seat stretched variant.
The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 will be installed on the second Saras prototype, providing the aircraft with 15% more power compared with the original PT6A-66-powered prototype. NAL director A R Upadya says the upgrade is needed to offset the 14-seater's higher than expected weight and also to power a possible 19-seat variant.
The first Saras prototype completed its first seven flights last August, but was then grounded until December to undergo several modifications. Upadya says the air intake geometry was changed, rudder handling qualities were improved and the fin-fuselage attachment was strengthened.
"We had some problems with the oil cooler. The oil temperature was going up. We have a new provision for oil cooling," he says.
NAL is still on track to deliver the first of six aircraft to the Indian air force in 2007. NAL says it is also talking to the ministry of civil aviation about a possible acquisition of 30 aircraft that would be leased to airlines to open new routes in rural India.
NAL debuted at Aero India a mock-up of a 19-seater dubbed the Saras-S, which would also be marketed at airlines, but says it will not pursue a concept design until the 14-seater enters production.
Source: Flight International