Aerospace Diary

Posted by Neelam Mathews Sept 7, 2011 Even as the Orlik trainer is out of India’s basic trainer race, Airbus Military Polska has signed a contract with the Technical Institute of Aviation Military Forces of Poland to further upgrade the Orlik TC II aircraft by developing and equipping the aircraft with a glass cockpit. The Orlik is a tandem two-seat basic and advanced trainer aircraft. This upgrade will greatly reduce the pilot’s workload and improve the safety and efficiency of flight operations and position the Orlik for the international market place, says Airbus Military. The Orlik TCII Glass Cockpit version is scheduled to be developed and certified in the second half of 2013. The Orlik TC I had its maiden flight in 1989, produced at the time by PZL Warszawa-Okęcie”. The Orlik TC II, a redesign of the TC I with improved wing, engine and  avionics, produced by Airbus Military Polska (formerly EADS PZL Warszawa Okecie) first flew in 2010. Currently, 28 Orlik aircraft...

Oct 21, 2010 Neelam Mathews Airbus Military PZL 130 Orlik will be holding trials from Oct 25- 29 in Jamnagar, in the western state of Gujarat for India’s bid for basic trainers . This will bring to completion all trials for the imminently required basic trainers for the Indian air force. India is anxious to make a procurement decision by March 2011. The Request for Proposal is for 75 basic trainers, with a possible additional 106 aircraft to be manufactured by government-owned defense manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) through technology transfer. The contenders include Beechcraft T-6C military trainer, Pilatus PC-7, Grob G-120TP, Airbus Military PZL 130 Orlik and Korea Aerospace KT-1. The present ageing fleet of over 100 HPT-32 (Hindustan Piston Trainers) have suffered a spurt of crashes, leaving India to depend on its second line of limited trainers. The Basic Trainer RFP comes with a 30% offsets clause, which Airbus Military says will no...