In a bid to tap the market for connecting the far-flung areas of the country, Delhi-based aircraft distribution player ASAP (Aircraft Search and Aviation Professionals) today introduced the PAC 750 XSTOL airplane that can take-off and land on relatively small strip.
"The PAC 750 XSTOL (Extreme Short Take-off and Landing) aircraft can land and take off from a clear level strip of just 300 metres to 500 metres, so it would help in connecting the far-flung and hilly areas where it is not possible to construct long airstrips for the wide-bodied aircraft," Ashish Bhushan of ASAP said.
It can be very useful for the North-Eastern states and the Himalayan region, where there are semi prepared and grass airstrips constructed during World War II but not in use.
"Connectivity has been a major cause for slow commercial growth in the NE region, hence this is the type of aircraft that can bring about the change in the way people connect, travel and do commerce, resulting in rapid economic prosperity in the entire area," Bhushan said.
The multi-role turbo-prop aircraft, manufactured by New Zealand-based Pacific Airspace Ltd, has the seating capacity of nine passengers and a pilot. It could be used as a passenger or a cargo aircraft.
The easy handling and manoeuvrability of the aircraft makes it extremely useful in evacuation during emergencies, fire-fighting, spraying of pesticides or insecticides, aerial survey and photography and for skydiving.
The airplane, which has a very rugged and robust maintenance free airframe, can be converted from one role to another within half and hour, Bhushan claimed.
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The company has also got the necessary regulatory approval for aircraft operations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation last month and "would be pitching it to government agencies."
While speaking at the launch of the aircraft, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India Rupert Holborow said that India has been designated as the priority nation by his government for doing business with.
He outlined tourism, education and merchandise trade as the areas of cooperation and greater engagement between the two countries.