India initiates process to develop indigenous electric trainer aircraft E-Hansa

India has initiated the development of the Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation two-seater electric trainer aircraft, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday.

Chairing a high-level review meeting with the secretaries of all major science departments in the national capital, Singh said the indigenously developed aircraft, being built by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru, will be a milestone in India’s green aviation journey.

As vice president of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Singh said it is a matter of pride that the new aircraft is being indigenously developed by the NAL.

The E-Hansa, developed under the larger HANSA-3 (NG) trainer aircraft programme, will cost nearly half that of a comparable imported trainer aircraft, possibly around ₹2 crore, according to an official readout.

More about HANSA-3 (NG)

The licensing of the HANSA-3 (NG) two-seater trainer aircraft, designed to be a cost-effective and indigenous option for pilot training in India, has been granted to M/s Pioneer Clean Amps Pvt. Ltd.

Last month, Singh had lauded the efforts of CSIR scientists for the successful demonstration and commercialisation of the indigenous HANSA-3(NG), noting that the aircraft will fulfil the requirements of flying clubs in providing PPL (Private Pilot License) and CPL (Commercial Pilot License) training to the young generation.

The HANSA-3(NG) aircraft comes equipped with a digital display (glass cockpit) system and is powered by an advanced, fuel-efficient Rotax 912 iSc3 Sports engine. The aircraft features a bubble canopy with a cabin width of 43 inches and electrically operated flaps.

It offers excellent performance with a range of 620 nautical miles, 7 hours of endurance, and a maximum cruise speed of 98 Knots Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS), according to the government.