Indian heli
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 56
From: UK
IIRC, the Dhruv has yet to achieve FAA or JAA certification so you are unlikely to see any working over here. I do, however, think that some have been sold to the Israeli military.
The Indian Air Force did bring some to Farnborough last year to display. There are photos in the 'ROTORHEADS AROUND THE WORLD' thread somewhere.
And although it 'looks' like an EC-145, it is considerably larger. About 2 tonnes larger, I think.
HTH,
B73
PS Try asking Google. Google knows everything!
Edited to add: Actually, before you ask Google, try asking PPRuNe! A search on 'Dhruv' will throw up a few previous references (including the Farnborough shots.)
The Indian Air Force did bring some to Farnborough last year to display. There are photos in the 'ROTORHEADS AROUND THE WORLD' thread somewhere.
And although it 'looks' like an EC-145, it is considerably larger. About 2 tonnes larger, I think.
HTH,
B73
PS Try asking Google. Google knows everything!
Edited to add: Actually, before you ask Google, try asking PPRuNe! A search on 'Dhruv' will throw up a few previous references (including the Farnborough shots.)
Last edited by Bravo73; 23rd July 2007 at 08:57.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 7
From: OS SX2063
Video of Dhruv in action with Indian Army DIsplay Team (I think called the Sarangs)
http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk...p?videokey=480
http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk...p?videokey=480
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: India
ALH/dhruv
The Chopper is called a ALH(Advanced Light Helicopter)..Indian Name-Dhruv.5.5 tonner.got all the latest gizmos/tech..FADEC,incorporated hingeless composite main rotor with elastomeric bearings, a bearingless composite tail rotor, integrated dynamic transmission system, FADEC and crashworthy composite airframe.a big beginning for a 1st time manufacturer.
Its still is going through teething pblms,,,TGB cracks,Chip wx coming on.
Its still is going through teething pblms,,,TGB cracks,Chip wx coming on.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 394
Likes: 2
From: Aus, Europe & everywhere in between
Eurocopter had a big part to play in helping the Indians develop the ALH.
You can see in the cockpit that the fire warning panel and torque gauges are straight out of the BK117.
From what I understand, the performance of the aircraft is quite good.
But then again, I have never flown one.
You can see in the cockpit that the fire warning panel and torque gauges are straight out of the BK117.
From what I understand, the performance of the aircraft is quite good.
But then again, I have never flown one.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: hampshire
Bravo 73.
The aircraft at Farnborough were from Hindustani Aeronautics Limited (HAL) despite some of them being in Indian Air Force paint scheme.
I was fortunate to be invited to fly one of them at the show, not I hasten to add, in the show! A short 15 minute trip from the heliport out to the Guildford area and back again. In such a short time and with the limitations that the show imposed it was not possible to make a thorough investigation of the aircraft but first impressions were very favourable.
The aircraft was smooth fast and very responsive. A high equivalent hinge offset made for high control power and overall the aircraft reminded me of the Lynx. The four axis autopilot was very effective and with the efis IFR should make SPIFR readily possible.
The HAL Chief Test Pilot told me that the aircraft had been designed so as to take significant loads high into the Himalayas so performance should be good in less testing regimes.
I was very impressed by the aircraft and I believe that HAL, helped in the design by MBB have come up with a good aircraft. When it is FAA and/or JAA approved it will be worth looking at but its success will depend on purchase and operating costs.
The aircraft at Farnborough were from Hindustani Aeronautics Limited (HAL) despite some of them being in Indian Air Force paint scheme.
I was fortunate to be invited to fly one of them at the show, not I hasten to add, in the show! A short 15 minute trip from the heliport out to the Guildford area and back again. In such a short time and with the limitations that the show imposed it was not possible to make a thorough investigation of the aircraft but first impressions were very favourable.
The aircraft was smooth fast and very responsive. A high equivalent hinge offset made for high control power and overall the aircraft reminded me of the Lynx. The four axis autopilot was very effective and with the efis IFR should make SPIFR readily possible.
The HAL Chief Test Pilot told me that the aircraft had been designed so as to take significant loads high into the Himalayas so performance should be good in less testing regimes.
I was very impressed by the aircraft and I believe that HAL, helped in the design by MBB have come up with a good aircraft. When it is FAA and/or JAA approved it will be worth looking at but its success will depend on purchase and operating costs.
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 56
From: UK
That was just a (hazy recollection and) presumption on my part. I seem to remember the pilots being dressed in IAF gear. If they were, I guess that they were probably on secondment to HAL.
But from what you say, it sounds like a nice aircraft (designed to do a particular job in a particular environment.)
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
It's never a good sign when your helicopter design dispays a lack of installed power...after having already been reengined... 
Indian Comptroller and Auditor General blasts Dhruv project
I/C
Indian Comptroller and Auditor General blasts Dhruv project
I/C
