vijayshimla
New Member
India seems to be going ahead albeit slowly with development of indigenous jet trainer HJT-36, this is to provide maximum number of training hours to the trainee pilots of the IAF, and I do believe that training means money and what is required to be kept in mind the cost per hour of actual training delivered. Even the mighty USAF with it’s practically unlimited budgets seems to have gone in for The T-6A Texan II- powered by Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engine which provides a flat rated 1100 standard horsepower. This is a advanced version of Old Pilatus PC-9 to replace it’s indigenous USAF T-37B. Royal Air force has also taken the Turboprop route to trainers with Embraer Tucano under license. Both the major air forces had resources to develop the best jet powered air trainers, but chose to go with proven older turboprops. The main reason seems to be LOW COST PER HOUR Should India also not be taking this route of trying to re-invent the wheel. Taking big leaps in aero design via the LCA is good, but seems HJT-36 is not going to advance aero tech much and I am sure cost per flying hour amortized over life span will be horrendously high. Not much market outside IAF can be found of HJT-36; hence numbers produced will be dangerously low. In weapon production too, government of India should heed fiscal wisdom & not try to re-invent the wheel