NAL Saras
CSIR/NAL · India · first flew 2004 · transport aircraft
An Indian light multirole transport with an unusual pusher-turboprop layout, developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories for regional and utility roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High wing with two rear-facing pusher turboprops
- Pressurised regional cabin with T-tail
- Twin propellers mounted behind the wing trailing edge
A high-wing pressurised twin whose propellers face backwards behind the wing, paired with a T-tail — the rear-facing pusher props make it almost unmistakable among regional turboprops.
Specifications
- The NAL Saras has a length of 15.2 m (50 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.7 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 550 km/h (342 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Saras was designed by CSIR-NAL as a 14-seat pressurised aircraft using two rear-mounted PT6A pusher engines to reduce cabin noise and drag. The first prototype flew in May 2004, though the programme suffered a fatal crash in 2009 and prolonged delays before a revised Mk1 design was progressed.
Variants
The main line runs from the original prototypes to the redesigned Saras PT1N and the intended production Saras Mk1, with a stretched Mk2 studied to seat around nineteen passengers.
Where you'll see it
Saras has been flown chiefly as a development and evaluation aircraft with the Indian Air Force and NAL, and has no UK service; its niche broadly parallels British-built commuter turboprops like the Jetstream.
Related aircraft
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