DGCA allows commercial flight nod to made-in-India plane

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)-manufactured Dornier 228 to be used for civilian flights, reports Times of India.
 
The DGCA has given type certification to HAL's Dornier 228 aircraft, besides giving it the certificate of airworthiness, said the TOI report.
 
Now, HAL can sell this plane to airlines in India and it can be used for regional flights under the Modi's government's ambitious UDAN scheme , a senior aviation official reportedly said.
 
"Some special incentives may be given to operators using this plane. Apart from airlines in India," the official told ToI, adding, “HAL may also look at selling this plane for civil use in neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka."
 
With a maximum cruise speed of 428 kmph, the non-pressurised plane has a range of 700 km and is also capable of night flying.
 
At Kanpur airport this month, HAL has successfully carried out test flights of this plane after which DGCA gave the required nod for it to be used in civil side, the report added.