FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: Hindustan Aeronautics HJT-36

First Flight Gallery: Hindustan Aeronautics HJT-36

Read the original first flight press release:

First flight of India's Larzac-powered HJT36 trainer

Paris, March 7th, 2003 - The HJT36 training aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India made today a very successful flight at Bangalore. It is powered by a Larzac 04H20 jet engine, designed and developed by Snecma Moteurs and Turbomeca. The test flight proceeded exactly as planned, and the engine provided very satisfactory in-flight performance.

"We are very pleased with the successful first flight of the new Larzac-powered HJT36 trainer,” said Jean-Luc Engerand, managing director of Snecma Moteurs' military engine division. "It marks a new phase in the joint effort by Snecma Moteurs, Turbomeca and HAL to develop the HJT36 trainer.”

HAL selected the Larzac back in 2000 to power the prototype of the HJT36, the Indian Air Force's future intermediate trainer. The Larzac was adapted for installation in this aircraft. Snecma Moteurs provides all necessary technical support to HAL and has already delivered two engines fully flight-qualified on an Alpha Jet flying testbed.

Snecma Moteurs and Turbomeca have started the development of an enhanced thrust version of this engine, developing 1,700 dN. The new version is now on offer to HAL to power production models of the HJT36. This program is likely to further bolster the industrial partnership between HAL and Snecma.

Recently passing the mark of 3 million hours in flight, the Larzac is the best choice in its thrust class to power any new type of training or tactical support aircraft, whether single or twin-engine.

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Snecma Moteurs is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft and rocket engines, with a wide range of propulsion systems on offer. The company designs and builds commercial aircraft engines that are powerful, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly, along with military aircraft engines that have always delivered world-class performance. Snecma Moteurs also develops and produces propulsion systems and equipment for other launch vehicles, satellites and space vehicles.

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Turbomeca specialises in the design, production, sale and repair of gas turbines, with 49 000 turbines based on its own designs sold since the company was founded. Turbomeca has three main product lines: turbo-shaft engines for helicopters, a market in which Turbomeca is the world-leader; turbo-fans for training aircraft, where Turbomeca is a major player in the European market, particularly thanks to its involvement in the Adour and Larzac programmes; and also industrial and marine gaz turbines. With more than 2 000 customers in over 140 countries, Turbomeca provides a proximity service thanks to its 14 sites, 2 subsidiaries, 23 TurboSupport Centers, 32 repair centers and 90 Field representatives and Field mechanics. The Head Office is based in Bordes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (south-west France). Turbomeca is part of the Snecma Group, an aerospace group specialised in propulsion systems and equipment. Microturbo, a subsidiary of Turbomeca, is the European leader in turbojet engines for missiles, UAV and auxiliary power units.

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Last updated 14 March 2003

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