HYDERABAD: The HPT-32 Deepak trainee aircraft first flew in 1977. Designed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force to replace the twoseat HT-2 basic tranier, the first prototype flew on January 6, 1977 followed by a second on March 1979.
However, the earlier prototypes failed to meet the specific requirements of the IAF and therefore it was re-designed with various aerodynamic changes and underwent a weight reduction programme.
The third prototype, built to the definitive production standard flew in July 1981 but the production deliveries did not start till 1984 with 12 aircraft handed over to IAS which were based at its elementary school at Bidar in Karnataka.
The two-seat propeller-driven trainer also has a provision for a third seat behind.
Its basic weight is 890 kg and the 195 kw six piston engine which drives a two-blade constant speed propeller.
Its maximum speed at sea level is 265 kmph (143 knots) and the maximum cruising speed 213 kmph (115 knots). Its service ceiling is 18,045 feet.
The design is conventional and features a semi-monocoque structure with stressed skin, fixed tri-cycle under carriage and a rear-ward sliding canopy above the two side-by-side seats and the aircraft is fully aerobatic.