The HAL HPT-32 Deepak ("lamp" in Sanskrit) is an Indian prop-driven primary trainer manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It has two seats in side-by-side configuration.
Operational history
The Deepak is used for primary training, observation, liaison and target towing.
When it flies upside-down fuel flows from a collector tank in the fuselage and the inverted flight is limited to 1 min. Deepak has a theoretical glide ratio of 8.5:1. The IAF and HAL are looking into new safety systems such as Ballistic Recovery Systems to enable it to descend safely in the event of an engine failure. On 16 May 2010 the IAF cleared the installation of a parachute recovery system.[1] The HPT-32 aircraft has been replaced by the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II in the IAF, as its workhorse as a Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) in 2013.
Accidents
In 17 Deepak crashes so far, 19 pilots have died.[2] The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has been reported as saying the aircraft is "technologically outdated and beset by flight safety hazards" when discussing the grounding of the fleet in 2009.[3] HAL HTT-40 is going replace HAL HPT-32 Deepak as primary trainer.[4]
Versions
- HPT-32
- Basic version.
- HTT-34
- Turboprop version, powered by Template:Convert Allison 250-B17D engine. First flew on 17 June 1984.[5]
Operators
- Indian Air Force
- Indian Navy[6] 8 for basic training
Specifications (HPT-32)
Template:Aircraft specifications/switch
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ IAF gives nod for HPT-32 revival. The Hindu(May 16, 2010). Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ↑ Scrabbling for solutions. Business Standard India(5 April 2010).
- ↑ Crashes, engine failures ground IAF trainer aircraft - Thaindian News. Retrieved 2010-04-14.
- ↑ Made in India Takes Off: Intermediate Jet Trainer HJT-36 to be Certified Soon, HAL Eyes Export of HTT-40, Dutta, Amrita Nayak. News18(2022-10-18). Retrieved 2022-10-20.
- ↑ Template:Harvnb
- ↑ Template:Harvnb
Bibliography
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1990–91{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Jane's Defence Data(1990). ISBN 0-7106-0908-6
- Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory{{#if:Taylor|, Taylor}. Brassey's(1996). ISBN 1-85753-198-1
- Taylor, M.J.H. (ed,). Brassey's World Aircraft Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. London: Brassey's, 1999. Template:ISBN.