India’s New Basic Trainer Is Flying
by Neelam Mathews - June 22, 2016, 2:31 PM The HTT-40 is a tandem-seat design powered by a Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop. (Photo: HAL) The Hindustan Turbo Trainer HTT -40 for the Indian Air Force ( IAF ) made its formal inaugural flight in front of defense minister Manohar Parrikar on June 16. The 15-minute flight included a low speed pass, a series of turns, a high-speed pass and short landing using reverse thrust. Designed and developed by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL ), the tandem-cockpit HTT -40 has a gross weight of 2,800 kg (6,200 pounds) and is powered by a Honeywell TPE -331-12B turboprop engine. It was rolled out last February and is the first HAL design to be produced from a digital mockup. Parrikar said that the indigenous content of the HTT -40 is close to 80 percent, and that almost 50 percent of the components are sourced from private Indian companies. The...