BENGALURU: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha flew the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Bengaluru on Tuesday. He is the first Chief of Air Staff to fly the aircraft.
“It is my first sortie in Tejas. It is a good aircraft for induction into IAF operations,” he said after the 30-minute sortie. Group Captain M Rangachari was with him in the twin-seater trainer aircraft. He checked for himself the take-off, climb performances and agility of the aircraft by carrying out aerobatic manoeuvres.
The Air Chief, an ace fighter pilot himself, carried out simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. He also assessed the advanced modes of the radar and Helmet Mounted Display Sight (HMDs). He appreciated the flying qualities of the aircraft and congratulated the entire team of HAL and others involved in getting the LCA programme to this stage, a release issued by HAL stated.
The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL and the first squadron of the LCA is expected to be ready by July. He also inaugurated the LCA Painting hangar at HAL’s LCA Tejas division. He took stock of HTT-40 (basic trainer), besides visiting the production line and other facilities.