Transport Aircraft for IAF

[Rakesh]

Guru log, does a 19 seater plane warranty 2 member flying crew? Shouldn't pilot be enough to take up all the responsibilities of flying such a small capacity plane?

Yes. Most transport & civilian aircraft require at minimum two pilots. Not ideal or responsible to put the lives of 19 people in one person’s hands.

[bala]

What's the reason NAL being entrusted with making the aircraft itself rather than let HAL do it? Surely their expertise in making new components and even design of aircrafts could be good, but while keeping that, the advantage of various modern manufacturing techniques and technologies that must have been incorporated by the likes of HAL and other private players is absent with NAL. I do feel that there is a need to cut down the responsibility of NAL to design and research on new technology and while working alongside HAL and other private players to get the manufacturing of the same done at a faster phase.

So far, NAL has not produced any aircraft which is used pervasively in Indian skies. They have a small aircraft but no demand for that. Saras keeps popping up now and then but where is it in terms of actual flying/usage. HAL has many products - trainer aircraft, helos, LCA and they manufacture Su30MKI. India's biggest hole is engines. GTRE is another NAL like entity, which is yet to give India its fighter jet engine.

A reorg is required. R&D is one aspect of aircraft development. HAL has more knowledge of working systems. A mission mode charter is required to get various types of planes including transporters. Maybe NAL, GTRE, IIT, IISc, DMRL (dealing with materials for aerospace) etc are clubbed under single R&D with a mandate to move the needle in new areas. They can co-opt private entities to work on such R&D. HAL is the official entity with project oversight of all new aircraft products including engines for aircrafts. Herein private players for supplying aircraft components are required.

[bala]

Yes. Most transport & civilian aircraft require at minimum two pilots. Not ideal or responsible to put the lives of 19 people in one person’s hands.

I have been on a single engine commercial craft (6 passengers) which covered a short distance within a videshi state. The single pilot took our luggage and loaded them into the craft and once seated / in flight passed drinks in cans while on auto-pilot.

[Rakesh]

I have been on a single engine commercial craft (6 passengers) which covered a short distance within a videshi state. The single pilot took our luggage and loaded them into the craft and once seated / in flight passed drinks in cans while on auto-pilot.

You like to live life on the dangerous side

There is a cost / risk assessment to everything. The Honda Jet - can be flown by a single pilot - if needed. The automation on board permits that. But as a general rule of thumb, in a medium to large aircraft is better served by two pilots.

[RCase]

I have been on a single engine commercial craft (6 passengers) which covered a short distance within a videshi state. The single pilot took our luggage and loaded them into the craft and once seated / in flight passed drinks in cans while on auto-pilot.

You like to live life on the dangerous side

There is a cost / risk assessment to everything. The Honda Jet - can be flown by a single pilot - if needed. The automation on board permits that. But as a general rule of thumb, in a medium to large aircraft is better served by two pilots.

A quick search on Google:

Yes, U.S. airlines do fly small commercial flights with a single pilot, particularly on regional routes using small turboprop or light jet aircraft like the Cessna 208 Caravan, where FAA regulations and aircraft certification allow for it, though this is debated by unions and regulations are strict, with most large jet airline operations requiring two pilots.

Aircraft Size: The primary factor is the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and manufacturer certification; aircraft under 12,500 lbs and smaller jets like some Citations can be single-pilot.

Regional/Commuter Airlines: Carriers like Cape Air (though potentially transitioning) often use single-pilot crews for short hops to smaller communities.

Private/Business Aviation: Light jets used for private charter frequently fly with just one pilot.