Aircraft
The aircraft
which has been selected by the IAF is the CTSW, manufactured
by Flight Design, Germany. This aircraft has been
chosen due to its combination of its reliable Rotax
engine, high cruise speed, safety, range and comfort.
It has the ability to land at short and rough fields,
and is made of advanced composite materials. It has
a ‘Dynon’ EFIS-EMS glass cockpit, two
Garmin GPSs, SATCOM, ‘Tru Trak’ autopilot,
Mode S transponder.
Safety Features:
Carbon-Aramid
cockpit shell, strong landing gear, Ballastic parachute
rescue system, Four point harness for the crew.
Structure:
The
CTSW structure is made from very latest carbon fiber
construction with rigid foam core and epoxy matrix
with vacuum technology. All supporting structure
consists of Carbon and/or Aramid fibers.
Engine
Data:
| Take-off
power max at 5.800 1/min (max. 5 min): |
73.5
KW (100 HP) |
| Continuous
power at 5.500 1/min: |
69
KW (95 HP) |
| Maximum
RPM in level flight: |
5800
1/min (max. 5 min) |
| Idling
speed: |
1500
1/min (2.100 at flight) |
| Cruising
flight: |
4.200
– 5.500 1/min |
| Fuel
type: |
93-97
Octane unleaded Premium Petrol / AVGAS 100LL |
| Fuel
consumption at take-off: |
24
L/hour |
Fuel
consumption at cruising flight:
|
18
L/hour |
Fuel
consumption at max cruising power:
|
20
L/hour (5.200 RPM = 75% of the power) |
Performance:
| Vmin
minimum speed |
65
km/h IAS |
| VCR:
cruising speed |
240
km/h IAS |
| VC
75%: with 912S |
240
km/h IAS |
VNE:
max.permissible airspeed
|
301
km/h IAS |
| Take-off
run |
90
m / 300 ft. |
| Take-off
distance over 15m obstacle |
160
m / 762 ft. |
| Max.
range with 130l @ 180 km/h |
1800
km / 1000 Nm. |
Preparation
Flight
Planning:
Lot of preparatory work has gone in flight planning.
The route has to meet all guidelines of the FAI.
In addition, several factors have been kept in mind
for route selection:
- Aircraft Performance
and Range
- Climate and local
weather
- Possible political
problem areas
- Terrain including
legs over water and sparsely populated areas
- Optimum rationalization
of rest days, maintenance halts and the need to
cover distance as fast as possible
- Alternate airports,
fuel reserves, best possible airway/off airway
routes
- Fuel availability,
customs and immigration, runway length and elevation
Flying
training:
The highly experienced crew were sent to the aircraft
manufacturer in Germany for conversion. Apart from
this they were exposed to IFR route flying in Dornier
228. Prior to commencing the expedition, they would
also do long range and over sea flying in the CTSW
within India.
Technical
Training:
The crew have been trained on first line servicing
and minor repairs on the aircraft in Germany. They
have also undergone specialist training on the Rotax
engine, with Dee Greaves India Ltd.
Physical
Fitness:
An expedition of this nature requires peak physical
fitness. Both pilots have been following a carefully
designed programme of aerobic conditioning and strength
training. The pilots have lost weight, which is
an added bonus as more useful load can be carried.
Air
regulations and International aviation law:
Pilots have been exposed to international flying
procedures in Germany. They have also been extremely
busy refreshing basic aviation knowledge, which
will prove extremely handy.
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