NAL planning to market Hansa in Australia

After successfully exhibiting and flying its two-seater trainer aircraft Hansa 3 at the Australian International Airshow held recently at Avalon near Melbourne, National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) is hoping to profitably market the aircraft in Australia.

NAL officials, who had been flooded with inquiries from Australia about the Hansa 3, which is estimated to be around 15 to 20 times cheaper than an aircraft of a similar class, have begun the process of securing the necessary certification from Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority to sell the sought-after aircraft in Australia.

Market surveys had also indicated to the presence of a good market for two-seater trainer aircraft in Australia, which has a number of flying clubs and aviation enthusiasts, NAL officials claimed.

Meanwhile, Head of NAL’s Centre for Civil Aircraft Design Development K Yegnanarayan told reporters that NAL is also planning to make Hansa’s shell in India and later equip the aircraft after shipping it to Australia. “We will source the equipment for Hansa and fit out the aircraft in Australia”, he said.

Experts in the aviation industry pointed out that the main competition for Hansa could come from Cessna 152 and Cessna 172. But, NAL officials pointed out that Hansa, which is priced at around Rs 6 million, has several attractive features including excellent visibility, full dual controls and a proven and reliable engine.

Designed, developed and manufactured by NAL, Hansa is being projected as a rugged, cost-effective and easy-to-maintain aircraft, primarily designed for training, private flying, sport and aerobatics. In addition, Hansa can be used for surveillance missions, aerial photography and coast guard duties, NAL officials said.