LUCKNOW: UP government is all set to fly its ministers and officials in a brand new aircraft, bought from the US-based Beechcraft company. The state-of-the-art flying machine currently parked in the state government hangar may soon make its first sortie, expectedly with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on board.
On Monday, civil aviation department approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to get an air worthiness certificate for the aircraft, Super King Air B-250. UP government sources said the aircraft has already been de-registered from US rolls allowing it to get mandatory and much needed radio frequency from Indian soil. The DGCA has allotted a new registration number (BT-UP-T) to the nine-seat twin-turbo aircraft.
Sources said the aircraft can fly at an altitude of over 35,000 ft and reach any corner of the country without needing to get refueled. It can also land at relatively short airstrips of length up to 4,000 ft. Moreover, its interior could be modified to make space to carry patients in case of an emergency.
"State government has been given an operational permit and once the regulator gives air worthiness certificate, the aircraft can fly," a senior government official told TOI. Worth over Rs 40 crore, the aircraft happens to be upgraded version of Super King Air B- 200, which UP government has in its fleet.
Procurement of the plane took months. In July, principal secretary (civil aviation) and Anita Singh, director (civil aviation), Devendra Swaroop went to Kansas, US and were accompanied by pilot Pankaj Singh and engineer Ajit Singh.
The new aircraft expands the state government air fleet to seven. Presently, the UP government has three choppers and three aircraft, including Hawker 900XP, Super King Air B-200 and Super King Air B-300. The helicopters include Bell 412 EP, Augusta Grand and Bell 230.State government, meanwhile, decided to sell off Super King Air B-300 (of 1994) airplane and Bell 230 (of 1995) helicopter as both had completed their flying life span.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment