HAL HPT-32 Deepak
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited · India · first flew 1977 · light aircraft
The HAL HPT-32 Deepak is an Indian two-seat piston-engined primary trainer developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Indian Air Force primary piston trainer
- Side-by-side two-seat low-wing monoplane
- HAL-built with Lycoming engine
Low-wing two-seater with a side-by-side cockpit, fixed tricycle undercarriage, and a Lycoming flat-four engine; clean lines with a rounded fuselage cross-section typical of 1970s trainer designs.
Specifications
- The HAL HPT-32 Deepak has a length of 7.7 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.5 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 223 km/h (139 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The HPT-32 first flew in 1977 and entered Indian Air Force service in 1984 as the primary trainer replacing the Hindustan HT-2. It served as the initial stage of pilot training for many years until a series of fatal accidents led to its controversial grounding in 2009.
Variants
No major production variants; some aircraft were used for aerobatic training and a few exported to neighbouring nations.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the Indian Air Force; grounded in 2009 following a series of accidents attributed to fuel system issues and loss of power on approach.
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