Raj Hamsa Ultralights is an Indian private limited company and ultralight aircraft manufacturer, founded in 1980 at Pondicherry, India by Joel Koechlin (of the Koechlin family) of France. The company is one of India's largest aircraft manufacturers and is the only producer of commercial microlight aircraft. It started in 1980 producing hang gliders, introduced powered hang gliders in 1983 and the X-Air line of microlights in 1993. By 2007, the company had produced over 1,000 aircraft.[1][2]
 | |
| Company type | Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | Pondicherry, India (1980) |
| Founder | Joel Koechlin |
| Headquarters | Bangalore, |
Number of locations | Pondicherry, India |
| Products | Ultralight aircraft |
Number of employees | 30-35 |
| Parent | Koechlin family |
| Website | www.x-air.in |
The company's headquarters and sole manufacturing facility is located at Bangalore, India.[1][3] The company employs 30-35 people and produces about 100 aircraft kits annually.
The company's X-Air 'S' and 'F' models have been successful in the market and are exported widely.[4] The new Hawk model, known as Hanuman in India, is currently awaiting Indian and UK certification.[5] The ultralights manufactured by Raj Hamsa are some of the least expensive available in India and many parts of the world.[6]
The company is a factory agent for Jabiru Aircraft engines.[7]
Aircraft edit
- X-Air
- The X-Air was the first aircraft produced by the company. A total of 1300 X-Air F and S have been exported by the company.[1] Standard equipment is a Rotax 582 and basic instruments. The XAir is certified to UK BCAR Section "S".[4][8]
- X-Air Hanuman
- This model is based upon the X-Air "F" Gumnam, with a more conventional nose-mounted engine configuration. Designed for leisure flying and flight training the Jabiru 2200 and Rotax 582 engines are optional. This aircraft is . The aircraft is known in North America as the X-AIR "H"[5][9]
- Voyager
- A two-seat cross-country capable ultralight trike powered by a Rotax 503 or Jabiru 2200.[10]
Certification edit
The X-Air and Hanuman are both accepted by Transport Canada as Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes in Canada.[12]
The Hanuman is an approved US Federal Aviation Administration Light sport aircraft as the model X-Air XA85.[13]
References edit
- ^ a b c Raj Hamsa Ultralights. "Raj Hamsa Company Profile". Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2002-2003, pages 183-184. Jane's Publishing Company, 2002. ISBN 0-7106-2423-9
- Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004, pages 190-191. Jane's Publishing Company, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5
- Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2005-2006, pages 205-206. Jane's Publishing Company, 2005. ISBN 0-7106-2684-3
- Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2006-2007, pages 239-240. Jane's Publishing Company, 2006. ISBN 0-7106-2745-9
- Jackson, Paul (ed): Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2007-2008, pages 254-255. Jane's Publishing Company, 2007. ISBN 0-7106-2792-0 - ^ "Raj Hamsa X'Air". Aircraft World Directory. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ a b Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-112. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c "Raj Hamsa Hanuman". Aircraft World Directory. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ Decker, Jeffrey (January 2008). "SEBRING - X-Air debuts special light sport aircraft". Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ Jabiru Aircraft (November 2008). "Jabiru Agents". Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ Raj Hamsa Ultralights. "The XAir". Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- Giacosa, F. "The X-Air!". Retrieved 21 November 2008. - ^ "The Hanuman". Raj Hamsa Ultralights. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- "X-AIR News". Raj Hamsa Ultralights Pvt Ltd. May 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008. - ^ "TWO SEATER POWERED HANG GLIDER, TYPE "VOYAGER"". Raj Hamsa Ultralights. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ "TWO-SEATER POWERED HANG GLIDER, TYPE "CLIPPER"". Raj Hamsa Ultralights. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ "Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)". Transport Canada. November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
- ^ "Special Light-Sport Aircraft X-Air XA85". Experimental Aircraft Association. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
External links edit
