BENGALURU : The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft today passed its toughest exam and came back with flying colours as it hosted in the cockpit non other then IAF Chief Arup Raha, who became the first Air Chief to fly Tejas.
After testing the aircraft for good half an hour in air carrying out deft manoeuvers coupled with simulated air to air attack, a beaming Air Chief Marshal Raha declared Tejas fit for IAF operations.
“It is my first sortie in Tejas, it is a good aircraft for induction into IAF operations.”, he said.
He got airborne at around 12 noon from HAL airport in the twin-seater trainer aircraft with Group Captain M Rangachari accompanying him.
During the entire flying envelope of the aircraft, he also assessed the advanced modes of the radar and Helmet Mounted Display Sight (HMDs). An ace fighter pilot himself, Air Chief Marshal Raha appreciated the flying qualities of the aircraft.
He congratulated the entire team of HAL and others involved in getting the LCA programme to this stage. “It is a moral boosting gesture from the IAF Chief and reposes great confidence of our valuable customer in our abilities”, said HAL Chief T Suvarna Raju, who was present at the tarmac.
The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL Bengaluru and the first squadron of the LCA is expected to be formed by July 2016. The Air Chief also inaugurated LCA Painting hangar at HAL’s LCA Tejas Division.
He took stock of HTT-40 (Basic Trainer) which was parked on the tarmac besides visiting LCA production line. (agencies)
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