Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) revealed that its civil aircraft Hindustan 228 (registered VT-KNR) had completed the Ground Run and Low-Speed Taxi Trials (LSTT) on August 15, 2021, at their Kanpur testing facility.

The tests conducted were intended to procure the 'Type Certification' from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

"This is a major milestone for the first fixed-wing Made-in-India civil aircraft in India," said Sajal Prakash, CEO of HAL's Accessories Complex. "It is a step forward towards strengthening regional air connectivity."

HAL's Kanpur testing facility for transport aircraft ventured into manufacturing the Hindustan 228 to support regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme by the Indian government.

DGCA Director Indranil Chakraborty said the type certification would also enable HAL to get the international certification for the aircraft. It also complies with the latest 'FAR-23 certification' requirements, according to Chakraborty.

The aircraft is planned to be utilized by civil operators and state governments for inter and intra regional connectivity.

The Hindustan-228 is a 19-seater multirole utility aircraft built for VIP transport, passenger transport, air ambulance, flight inspection roles, cloud seeding, and recreational activities like para jumping, aerial surveillance, photography, and cargo operations.